Bike group initiative Hundreds of cyclists ride with “Critical Mass” through Bonn
Bonn · The “Critical Mass” group has been riding in the city for ten years now. On Friday, several hundred people cycled again through Bonn. Their aim is to draw attention to the often poorly developed infrastructure for cyclists.
About ten years ago, when “Critical Mass” began its bicycle outings, the number of cyclists in the group was small. Raphael Holland, a participant from the very beginning, recalls that "sometimes we didn’t even get a group of 16 cyclists together, the number necessary to call it a club”.
Fast forward to today: Hundreds were riding this Friday, at the last meeting there were according to Holland about 1,300 people, making for record participation. "It's a bike ride that you can really enjoy," says Holland. The atmosphere is great, some people bring music players along on their bikes, others bring a little something to eat for fortification before the ride.
The bike ride itself produces a feeling of freedom amongst riders, a result of the “Critical Mass” initiative here and in other cities as well. Riding en masse, the bicycle group is regarded as a “Verein” or club. This means that if the cyclists in front ride through a green light, the rest of the group can follow behind. "You feel incredibly safe in this biking community," Holland says.
Following their first experiences with drivers who wanted to make their way through gaps in the group, the cyclists learned how to deal with this situation. The cyclists in front now stop at the cross streets and block them off until all the bikers have passed through. It also gives them a chance to explain to the motorists what their initiative is all about.
There is an aim to these group bike rides, which usually lead through busy streets close to the city center and always take place on the last Friday of the month. Those participating want to point out the often poorly developed infrastructure for cyclists. They demand the development of cycle paths and more safety for cyclists. "The Fridays for Future have given our cause another boost," says Holland.
The Bonn resident is a regular participant. “Critical Mass” does not yet have the proper organizational structures, however. Initiatives are announced via social networks, but there is no official association supporting them, it is all rather informal. Because of that, according to Holland, their actions do not have to be registered with the police. Still, police officers usually accompany the group.
Police have long been aware of this unique situation, in which there is no official structure for them to work with at the bike club. They have to figure out how to deal with it from both a legal and traffic flow standpoint. "The focus for us is on the safety of road users," said police spokesman Frank Piontek. That's why patrol cars are always on location during the bike club outings.
(Orig. text: Philipp Königs / Translation: ck)
