Upcoming Critical Mass tour scheduled for this Friday.
In cities across Germany, the Critical Mass bike rides are a recurring event, taking place every second Friday of the month at 7 PM. This month, the next ride is scheduled for May 9th, assembling at Prince's Square.
The Critical Mass is an informal, non-permitted protest ride that emphasizes peaceful demonstration and visibility. Unlike demonstrations with controlled direction or road closures, Critical Mass rides have no official permits or set routes. Participants ride en masse, making it effectively a rolling demonstration.
Since there is no official traffic control for the ride, cyclists are legally required to obey traffic signals and rules. However, in practice, Critical Mass rides sometimes temporarily block intersections or roads, causing conflicts with police and local regulations.
Organizers and riders promote a peaceful atmosphere, emphasizing the demonstration for cycling rights, environmental concerns, and road safety. Aggressive or dangerous behavior is discouraged to avoid legal repercussions. The Critical Mass rides as a closed unit, occupying as much space on the road as needed, according to paragraph 27 of the Road Traffic Licensing Regulations.
Some participants aim to show how much space cyclists are actually entitled to, while others ensure the group's safe passage by keeping an eye on the traffic at intersections. The Critical Mass leisurely cycles through the city for approximately two hours.
It's important to note that the Critical Mass requires at least 15 participants. Last Sunday, around 3000 cyclists participated in the ADFC's bike parade in Düsseldorf, which emphasized the need for more attractive bike infrastructure. The ADFC bike parade rode through the city, including the Rheinufertunnel, which is usually forbidden for cyclists.
Similar Critical Mass events take place in cities like Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, and other German cities. Helpers "cork" intersections to allow the Critical Mass to pass safely. For more information, visit criticalmass.de.
Drivers must wait until the last Critical Mass participant has passed before resuming their journey. An interesting aspect is that the first Critical Mass participant can cross an intersection on a green light, allowing the last one to pass through even if the light has turned red.
The Critical Mass is a unique and peaceful way for cyclists to assert their rights and demand a traffic turnaround and a bike-friendly city.
