Critical Mass Pubic Meeting Report

dublin | miscellaneous | opinion/analysis

Thursday July 19, 2007 12:41

by Ann-Marie

Public Meeting for Critical Mass held on tthe 18th July 2007 partially in response to recent discussions of Critcal Mass on Indymedia to highlight and discuss the criticisms and strengthen Critical Mass in Dublin.

Critical Mass Public Meeting 18th July 2007

1.HISTORY OF CRITICAL MASS

Critical Mass started about 12 years ago in the United States, in San Francisco to highlight cyclists to traffic. The group needed to be critical, i.e. large enough to take over the road. It was not a protest so to avoid the need for a permit.

There was major interest in Critical Mass in Ireland about three years ago. Interest seems to be building again with 60 cyclists taking to the streets in June of this year.

The Dublin Cycling Campaign (DCC) and Critical Mass once had an alliance. This alliance no longer seems to exist as there have been criticisms of Critical Mass for been anarchist.

It may be possible to renew such alliances once again and new ones with the bicycle couriers in Dublin.

2.PRINCIPLES AND GUIDELINES FOR DISCUSSION

Critical Mass generally runs off the principles of self-organisation, non-commercialism, non-competitiveness, libertarianism, anti-capitalism, and may be loosely anarchist.

One reason people provided for not wishing to participate in Critical Mass was they did not want to be seen as anarchist or having a particular political viewpoint. However it can be organised in a libertarian way but people can attend for whatever reasons they want whether it be environmental, concern over natural resources or a desire to highlight cyclists as road users etc.

PROPOSAL: Critical Mass does not need to be single issue. It can be left open.

POINTS FOR CONSIDERATION:
Is it about taking back public space similar to Reclaim the Streets.
There is a need to take to the streets and be noticed.
How disruptive does it have to be to be noticed, to have an impact?
Aggressive behaviour needs to be deflated, need to be open, not just about shutting down the street, it is about cycling.

DISCUSSION: Can Critical Mass exist successfully without breaking into sub groups and political agendas? Public forum may resolve this.

3. NEXT CRITICAL MASS 27th JULY 2007

OPTIONS:
Cycle in one group in one lane with banner at the back to prevent cars driving through.
Cycle all over the road blocking it entirely.
These options are dependant on the numbers that attend and what people feel comfortable in doing. Also depending on safety and what is more affective.

Meeting at the Garden of Remembrance at 6.30 pm on the 27th Of July 2007. The route will be announced then.
There will be a social afterwards in Seomra Spraoi being organised by the lovely Seomra Spraoi Café.

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The following roles are needed for the Critical Mass. Some of these are standard to any type of action and some specific to Critical Mass.
• Medic - may seem overly precautionary but some drivers do try drive through the group of cyclists

• Legal Observer – to record any incidents. The legal observer would also calm down any confrontations that may happen between motorists and cyclists. ( I have seen a passenger in a car get out of the car in traffic to push a cyclist)

• Photographer – to record the event and accompany the legal observer if any incidents were to occur and record these.

• Corks – Corks cycle alongside the group and when we approach side streets they cycle on ahead to block these to ensure cars do not drive into the middle of the group.

• Sound System – tunes can never be bad.

• Reporter – someone who is willing to do a write up of the event in indymedia or anywhere else for that matter. Will probably work alongside the photographer to get photos up as well.

• Leafleters – for advertising the event beforehand.

Finally Group Responsibility for keeping situations calm if we do receive any agro.

Anymore that may be needed make it known. Any volunteers for any of these roles make yourself known.

4. THINGS TO DO

LEAFLETS
Available in Seomra Spraoi from Saturday onward. Pick some up. Make some extra copies if you feel the need is there and get them out there. There will be leaflets that can be attached to bikes quite easily.

BANNER MAKING + ROLES
Meeting in Seomra Spraoi Wednesday 25th @ 6.30 to make a banner. All hands welcome. If you want to take on a specific role in Friday’s Critical Mass this would be a good time to talk about it in some detail.

“STILL WE RIDE” VIDEO SCREENING by Revolt Video
Wednesday 25th @ 8pm (ish) in Seomra Spraoi
(Documentary of August 2004 Critical Mass of 5,000 cyclists in New York - See events page for detailed blurb)

CRITICAL MASS
Friday 27th @ 6.30 p.m. at the Garden of Remembrance (Parnell Square) followed by Social in Seomra Spraoi
BRING BALLOONS

Contact Details Will Follow