Crazed Woman with Flare Tries to Stop Critical Mass

SFist just posted this report with the video that shows a crazed, clueless and pro-car woman dressed for a black and white party trying to stop the flow of thousands of cyclists during the 20th Anniversary Critical Mass Ride on Friday. And guess who is caught on video getting some face to face time with this angry lady? Our pal, the roving street photographer, Adrienne Johnson.

It still astounds me that there are drivers who get caught unaware in this monthly protest. People, this has been happening EVERY LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH FOR TWENTY (20!) YEARS! Do yourself a favor, wait until the protest is over before attempting to drive your motorized vehicle across town. Better yet, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em. Get yourself a bike and ride with us!

Critical Mass 20th Birthday Panda

It has been an amazing weekend and I'm thrilled to report that the majority of it was spent on my bicycle! And as promised, here is my panda action shot from the Critical Mass 20th Birthday Ride! Massive amounts of cyclists showed up, and I will defer to Adrienne's very well written and well documented post about it on Change Your Life, Ride A Bike instead of attempting to write something less stellar and with mediocre photos. We had an incredible, fun, safe and friendly ride on Friday, and most people we passed in cars and on the street were happy to see us celebrating twenty years of one of the most successful and sustaining public protests in history!

Let's Get Critical!

I'm ready to get critical today - the 20th anniversary of the first Critical Mass in San Francisco, the demonstration that kicked off a worldwide movement to raise awareness and consciousness that cyclists are part of traffic.

Join me and thousands of other cyclists who strongly feel that we belong here on the streets, and come celebrate the strength of many as we ride on in solidarity!

Wish I could have taken a more active self-portrait, but Cloud doesn't know how to operate a camera... yet. I'll promise to take some more shots that pass the Bike Test once I'm out on the streets tonight and share them with you here.

vintage bike films at oddball/ Critical Mass festivities

      

poster art by Meligrosa

Are you getting ready to play Critical Mass 20th Anniversary on Friday? Suggested itinerary: Ride Critical Mass, peel off and view some vintage bike films at Oddball in the mission, eat some good foods from MamakSF at the event.

Critical Mass 20th Anniversary Weeklong Event Starts Mon. 9/24!

Poster by Mona Caron

I'm off to Palm Springs, CA for a long weekend, but before I jet, I wanted to let you all know about the festivities celebrating the 20th Anniversary of Critical Mass next week. Like it or not, ride it or not, Critical Mass caused a critical shift in awareness about city cycling at a time when we needed it most. And many cyclists around the world continue to find incredible inspiration from this tradition that began right here in San Francisco 20 years ago.

Cycling in cities has evolved, but we've still got a long road before us, which is why we should all tip our hats to Critical Mass next week.

Also you can purchase this gorgeous poster by Mona Caron, whether or not you think it passes the Bike Test or not.

Ride on, two wheelers! xoxo

Murderous driver in Porto Alegre Critical Mass attacks cyclists

A driver with intent to kill ran over cyclists during a peaceful Critical Mass in Brazil. The whole story is here on the CM website.


Apparently the police have not decided whether the driver is at fault or not. By watching this video, it should be very clear what he was trying to do.

Please spread the word, repost the video and be safe out there.

Mikael's rad Halloween '09 music video

Copenhagenize Rides San Francisco Critical Mass from Copenhagenize on Vimeo.

Mikael, the King of Cycle Chic, was here last year, and little did I know until now that he made this awesome film about our Halloween Mass.

See ya on the streets tonight, SF!

Footie Fans Turn Out at Critical Mass

KT finally finds her parade of footie fans at Critical Mass, vuvuzelas in tow!

Too bad about the USA loss on Saturday, but we are proud of our boys' run in the Cup. Comin' back in style in 2014!

the greatest défilé on two wheels - Critical Mass pt. 1

Cicloactivistas Vanessa and Leandro from São Paulo were in town and the April 30th Critical Mass was on their Must-Do List. So I joined them (quite unlike KT to pass up a good party), as did Holly (a.k.a. Filmmaker for Change) and Ravi from Venice Beach. And SF put on its best show for my visitors!

Once again, Critical Mass did not disappoint. We saw it all.

Cute girls...







hot dudes...




and nudies!



Vanessa was compelled to bust out the SP nude bike calendar and show these guys what Brazilian bikers are made of.



And DON'T MISS the Disposable Film Festival's Bike-In Movie at the Good Hotel TONIGHT!

Vélo Vogue will be there with a Bakfiets from My Dutch Bike doing portraits, live tweeting/blogging and just lending our party spirit to the evening!

critical mass revisited pt. 2

One thing I love about San Francisco is the diversity. We get all types. And we let them be who they want to be, and we love them all the more for it.


Another thing I love about my city is that we like to have fun. A political demonstration becomes a party.


And what's a party without some music? Here's Paul, from Rock the Bike keeping us moving in the Mass.


And since we're moving, that means car traffic must stop. (Practice patience and enjoy the parade!)




In fact next time, grab a bike and join in the fun. You'll be happy you did!

critical mass revisited pt. 1

So let's revisit Justin Herman Plaza for a moment.



Usually, the crowd is having so much fun gathering for a Critical Mass that we might forget that we're actually here to make a political statement.



We got looks that stop traffic.



Oh heck, WE ARE TRAFFIC! Mandolin, sequins and all!



Another wonderful, typical day in our beloved SF!

Praça do Ciclista

Wouldn't it be a kick if Justin Herman Plaza, the birthplace of Critical Mass, was officially renamed Cyclist Plaza by the city of San Francisco?


Such is the case in São Paulo. Because of the growing popularity among Paulistas of the Bicicletada, their city did just that. Praça do Ciclista is where SP cyclists congregate for political demonstrations and organized rides.

São Paulo is a city that feels blocked.


Support the Bicicletada!


It's a city where citizens plead for more love, less cars...


and for revolution.


It could be a place where biking puts a smile on your face, instead of where drivers are sourly stuck in gridlock.


Replace each car with one bike.
Each motorist with one cyclist.


Now, here's a beautiful vision for a livable city. I was informed that SF muralist Mona Caron came here. Maybe she painted one of these bikes.


Leave tire-prints wherever your bike takes you. Cast long visible shadows, and may they permanently leave a mark. And may all our cities acknowledge the movement that's taking over our planet.

sf cycle moment: looks that stop traffic

A couple gems from the Halloween Critical Mass!

clowning around

I rode next to this clown for a while down Howard Street. He rocked this wheelie for at least a full city block. I was rather impressed.

And what's not to love about his accessories - the red nose and the bluetooth hanging on ear.

Bravo, pal!

fairy bikemother

If only I could click my heels three times, I would wish to see many more cool bike moms (and dads) out on SF's streets with their kids in tow (or riding the handlebars), let alone riding Critical Mass!

Oh - and hello... rockin' white boots, girlfriend!

american legends

Anyone who grew up in this country must have learned to COUNT with this muppetman. And look - he rides a sexy royal blue bike! (I kinda have a thing for vampires.)


The Legend of Sleepy Hollow has traded his horse for a bike!


Yabbadabbadoo! Fred rides too!

hot halloween

Two great reasons why you should ride in Critical Mass.

Brüno

It's Brüno, the biggest Austrian celebrity since Hitler!


I hope that outfit proved to be a real [ahem] magnet for him!

good cop|bad cop

I just can't seem to figure out which is which!

weekend double whammy

It was Halloween Critical Mass. And Mikael was in town. I took too many photos. I'm totally buried underneath Photoshop.

In the meantime, here's a woman in a pink tutu with shiny boots. (I'll give you one guess what event she was partaking in - hint: not the Ballet.)