From its origins in San Francisco during the Summer of 1992, Critical Mass has become a worldwide phenomenon with over 300 rides in cities around the world held on the last Friday of every month. Los Angeles, arguably the world’s most famous car-culture city now hosts four separate Critical Mass rides.
One might think that citizens in a free society would have no difficultly getting together once a month for a bicycle ride through the streets of their city. Unfortunatly this has not been the case. One need only visit critical-mass.org or check the archives of most Indymedia sites to see the difficulties that many riders have faced. From the initial conflicts with police in San Francisco to the
DNC 2000 confrontation here in LA and the ongoing battle between CM New York and the NYPD, critical mass has become part street festival, part political statement.
Despite the controversy created by a few intolerant authorities in some cities, Critical Mass Los Angeles has been largely free of conflict this Summer. The rides are free and open to all. See the link for locations CM-LA
Report and photos from last month’s ride: Close to 100 Show up at LA Critical Mass by Marcus || West LA, Santa Monica Critical Mass by Marcus
