The Guardian is featuring a story today by Peter Walker about the bicycle as the vehicle of civil disobedience. Here’s an excerpt:

So what is it that makes the bicycle and the demonstration such good companions? To me, there are two factors at play.

Firstly, if you’re in a group, there is something undeniably liberating about riding around a city surrounded by cyclists. I’ve never been on a Critical Mass ride, so going to Blackheath was a strange sensation – no longer a vulnerable solo rider lined up against the massed metal forces of the motorised traffic, I was part of an entity too big to ignore or shove unthinkingly into the kerb.

Second, if you’re a solo campaigner in an urban environment then the bike is the mode of transport most guaranteed to get you to your protest on time and – perhaps more important still – give you the best chance of slipping away from pursuing authorities. When I worked for another news organisation in Beijing I’d regularly pedal to meetings or protests, nipping down narrow lanes to shake off the unmarked police cars, which routinely trail foreign journalists in China.

June 26 is the last Friday of the month, which means that Critical Mass is happening all over the world. If you’re in Rochester, meet us at 6pm at the Liberty Pole.

Here’s a video I made of the March ride (I try to make one of these every year):

Cyclelicious seems to have all the good news these days. Today they bring us news of the Tweed Run.

Something to think about in the Spring, anyway.

From The Guardian:

Police attempts to outlaw the monthly Critical Mass cycle ride through the streets of London unless its route was notified in advance were blocked by the law lords today.

The House of Lords allowed a challenge by cyclist Des Kay to a court of appeal ruling that the Metropolitan police had the right to demand prior notice of the ride’s date, time and route and the names and addresses of the organisers.

Cyclists who gather on the South Bank and ride through the city to celebrate safe cycling have in the past been handed written notices by the police stating that the event was unlawful because no advance notice was given.

But the law lords held that the event, which had no organisers or set route and proceeded on a “follow my leader” basis, was not governed by section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986.

Read the rest of the article.

And here’s the Web site of Critical Mass London.

You can find more photos from Albany’s Critical Masquerade here and here. Enjoy!

More Halloween cycling madness! Here are photos from the Critical Masquerade in Rochester.

Perry Woodin, unicyclist extraordinaire, sent along these photos of last night’s Critical Mass riders and their arrival at his house.

So last night I biked out to the Sanctuary For Independent Media to hear Chris Carlsson’s talk. I met up with Lorenz at the boat launch. We split at 6:10, and made it there at 6:51. Important things to remember for the future. The valet bike parking was awesome.

Scott Kellogg’s brief talk was interesting, if a little too dogmatic. Carlsson’s talk was very thought-provoking. It’s good to hear someone else say what you’ve been thinking for months.

But, honestly, the best part was the ride home. A half dozen of us, lit up to varying degrees, cycling through mostly empty streets. Really a lot of fun. I met many people, and hopefully I’ll see them again.

From Bob at Liberty On Bikes!:

ok, looks like we’ll be leaving the downtube @ madison around 6 then the next meet up will be 6-615 at the boat launch then we’ll be taking the trail over to troy. if we don’t meet up before, there will be a large group going back to albany – see everyone there or along the way!

And this, of course, refers to tonight’s talk by Chris Carlsson in troy.

Bob from Liberty On Bikes! is organizing a ride to go see Critical Mass founder Chris Carlsson in Troy. Here are the details:

There’s several people wanting to ride over to troy for the chris carlson event. Anyone interested in meeting at the downtube between 6-615 to ride over? There will be myself and a friend in town from asheville, thanks! -bob

unless it takes longer to get there, then maybe meet 545, leave @ 6?

You can contact Bob via e-mail if you want to meet.

Here’s the info about the event:

World-Renowned Bicycle Revolutionary to Visit Troy 9/15

On September 15, Chris Carlsson – San Francisco-based author, urbanist, and instigator – will be presenting his latest work, Nowtopia, at The Sanctuary for Independent Media. The event is co-sponsored by the New York Bicycling Coalition and Troy Bike Rescue. Event begins at 7 P.M. at The Sanctuary for Independent Media, 3361 6th Avenue, Troy, NY. Admission by donation ($10 suggested, $5 low income). Directions and more information at www.MediaSanctuary.org or by calling 518-272-2390. Valet bike parking will be available.

Carlsson will be discussing his new book, Nowtopia, while sharing the spotlight with local bike enthusiasts, Troy Bike Rescue, and members of Rhizome Collective, of Austin, TX. As the number of cyclists continues to visibly grow, some might hope that this prophet from the bike-city of San Francisco will be bringing the good word of separated bike lanes and proper bike parking to the auto-dominated streets of the Empire State. However, Carlsson’s latest writing carry a much broader message – it’s an analysis of “work” and a vision of radical new economics that he contends is already taking shape.

Carlsson is perhaps best known in the bicycle community as one of the first motivators of the monthly Critical Mass bike rides that began in the early 90s in San Francisco, and have spread to 5 continents and over 300 cities around the world.

Local organizer and founder of Troy Bike Rescue, Andrew Lynn, remarks: “Making true social change and moving society towards sustainable future is not just about ‘going green’; it’s about building sustainable social and technical infrastructure. This will require new levels of cooperation and innovation.”

NOTE: Per Andrew Lynn: “we are looking for a few people who might want to help specifically with Valet Bike Parking. we have advertised that this service will be available. its pretty simple – taking peoples bikes a they arrive and taking them to the little alcove between the sanctuary and the adjacent building. then, someone will need to hang out by the door and be the security. ideally this would be a rotating role. please let me know if you can help with this at anyone@breathingplanet.net.”