James Daley: The Cycling Column

The day I lost my heart to critical mass

I finally made it to my first Critical Mass ride last month. It was one of the most uplifting experiences I've ever had on two wheels, and one which, if you're a regular cyclist, you really shouldn't miss out on, even if it means a trip to the capital.

For those who don't know, the Mass is a monthly meeting of cyclists in cities around the world. London's kicks off underneath Waterloo Bridge at 7pm on the last Friday of every month, and then weaves around the streets of the city, stopping the traffic and claiming the major roads to itself for a few hours.

Riding en masse in a town or city is a liberating enough feeling in itself, but the real beauty of CM is having the streets all to yourself. Riding through the Aldwych underpass, for example (a road that is usually out of bounds to cyclists) amid a throng of some 200 riders all ringing bells and whistling can't fail to bring a smile to your face. Some drivers get very irate about being held up for five minutes or so as the Mass crosses their path, but most take it in good spirit.

The origins of the ride go back almost 15 years to San Francisco, where it was originally all about reclaiming the streets and celebrating the bicycle.

Since then, as it has grown and spread around the world, it has come to represent an ever-wider mix of issues and beliefs. For some, it remains a very political protest, not just about the need to get cars off the road but also about the right to freedom of expression and the right of cyclists to use the roads as freely as motorists. In some cases, it is even seen as an extension of the anti-capitalism movement.

For others, it is simply about the experience - the chance to get the best possible view of a city's sights and buildings from the middle of highways usually clogged with vehicles, and the chance to meet fellow cyclists and feel the solidarity of riding in a large group.

Although around half the people on the ride spent the evening chanting "more bikes, less cars", others were too busy singing along to the music booming from the back of one rider's trailer.

Sadly, but perhaps inevitably, the Mass has had a chequered relationship with the authorities. In London, the police tried to ban the ride in 2005, claiming it constituted an illegal protest because the organisers would not provide details of the route six days in advance.

The fact is, however, that the various Mass rides have no organisers. It is simply agreed that people will meet at a certain time and place every month and will then cycle around an unplanned route. At each intersection, one or two cyclists temporarily block off the traffic, but the disruption seldom lasts for more than a few minutes.

Thankfully, the Metropolitan Police lost their case in court last summer. However, they continue to provide at least half a dozen officers on bicycles to accompany the ride, principally to prevent any altercations between cyclists and motorists. Strangely, they elected not to show up for the December ride. Admittedly it is the smallest of the year, but there were still about 200 riders last month.

Most of the cyclists seemed pleased not to have a police presence this time, but an increasing number believe that the police are actually a positive addition to the ride. I saw two incidents at the end of last month's ride where cyclist and motorist almost came to blows - exactly the kind of situations that the police are able quickly to defuse.

Now that I have been on one Mass ride, I'm completely hooked. I don't want to miss a single event. If you've not yet been yourself, you must. To find out more, and to see if there is a Mass in your local town or nearby, check out the website www.critical-mass.info.