TIGblogs - Julien Lacasse

Cycling. The number of people who practice this activity is estimated at one billion. In Quebec society, as well as in other industrialized societies, the bicycle has a place that goes beyond recreation and transportation. Because of the growing concern about environmental problems, the bike is also a symbol of commitment and fight against pollution and global warming. In Montreal, we notice that cycling is becoming more popular, based on the popularity of the "Tour de l’Île" and the self-service bicycles stations in the city, so we are now talking about a cycling community. Because they are aware of the many benefits of cycling, added with the fact that global warming is one of the main problems that the world will face in the coming years, several groups have mobilized themselves for a better future. In downtown Montreal, on every last Friday of the month, there's a bicycle rally organized in the streets of the city, summer and winter, rain or shine. It is called "Critical Mass". It is a social and environmental movement that started in San Francisco on September 25th of 1992 with fifty participants, and then became an international movement. It is estimated that there are currently 325 cities where critical masses are held. The number of participants may vary from a few hundred to thousands of people in each city. Critical Mass is primarily seen as a celebration of cycling. The key is to spend a festive and convivial time with other people cycling, focusing on the positive side. It promotes the use of bicycles as a useful and ecological conveyance. The cycle rally is open to people of all ages and all capabilities. It aims to warn motorists to share the road and to highlight the bicycle facilities, either to signal their good points or to claim the lack of space provided for that purpose. They want to assert their rights to travel in safety and to deny the belief that the automobile is an essential conveyance. They also protest against pollution, accidents, dependence on oil in our society and all the disadvantages that may cause the car. Some even have the strong idea of reinventing public space. In short, the goal of the Critical Mass is to give visibility to the urban bicycle, to send a message to the car company, to demonstrate that the bike is a model of efficiency, the ideal solution to traffic problems and to show motorists that cyclists are present in Montreal and that they have to consider them. By hundreds of bikers taking the entire street, it sends a clear message to motorists, making them understand that more improvements are essential in town. Modify your bike! You can add stickers, flags, bells, percussion, etc. Anyone who wants to be involved in an event who promotes urban bicycle is strongly invited!

Phillips Square, 5:30 PM, every last Friday of the month. http://www.flickr.com/photos/50098698@N05/sets/72157624048749902/ (The pictures were taken during the April 2010 Critical Mass)

400 Bad request

400 Bad request