Critical Mass: "We aren't blocking traffic; we are traffic."

One of the most direct things you can do in urban cycling is the Critical Mass ride.

A typical Critical Mass ride starts from a central location and is done on the last Friday of each month. People cycle en masse through an unplanned route.

"Critical Mass is not led, and has no officially-stated message, though it is largely understood to be an effort to promote alternative (non-motorized) modes of transportation and to raise awareness about safety issues commuters using non-motorized forms of transportation face in sharing the streets with vehicles." (Wikipedia)

Today's ride in Toronto took us through the streets of Yorkville, an upscale shopping district, then back around and down the main drag of Yonge Street past Dundas Square, cut through (yes - through) the Eaton Centre, along Queen West and, after a few roundabouts, into Kensington Market. The ride more or less ended there, as people stopped to sign a car-sized petition for more parks and less parking, though many continued on to Alexandra Park for Food Not Bombs.

Some more photos from the ride:



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