The weather was reasonable and dry as about 50 or so people
converged on the local town square,Eyre Square at 2pm for the very first Critical Mass to take place in Galway.The
leisurely bike ride took off down Eglinton st. toward Westside ,crossed the 'new' bridge and went around the Terryland roundabout and back to town on the 'official'
European Car Free Day and the unofficial national bike day.
Police were caught offguard as the traffic of polluting cars
ceased up for maybe 1hr. causing a tail-back of maybe 2 miles.One police car did intercept the mass on the 'new' bridge and attempted to clear traffic but the mass cycled together and after a while the 'protectors of the peace' drove off appearing to accept the stength of the mass,indeed many cyclists commented on the unity and solidarity of those involved.
Although drivers were advised by the authorities to leave their cars at home,hundreds of cars beeped and drivers got extremely angry in places and very supportive
in others.At times it got tense as motorists got the first taste of the Bike Power which arrived in Ireland on sat.22
in Galway,Cork,Dublin and Limerick.