Record turn out for London's Critical Mass
mini mouse | 04.11.2006 14:29 | Climate Chaos | Social Struggles | London
Well over one thousand cyclists turned out today for a Critical Mass to the US embassy in Grosvenor Square, where they were met by thousands more protesters about to march to Trafalgar Square.
Cyclists completing a circuit of Parliament Square
The view from Downing Street
A slow, circuitous route from Lincoln's Inn Fields took them past both Exxon and Shell's London headquarters and back over Westminster Bridge into Parliament Square. As the first cyclists completed the circuit and headed off to Downing Street bikes were still to be seen on the far side of the river.
A petition or something was handed in at Downing Street. Oh and there was a surveillance helicopter overhead, which is unusual for CM.
It was a tremendous atmosphere with a couple of top sound systems (including old favourite Rinky Dink) and crowds received the ride with great enthusiasm. Perhaps not so much enthusiasm as the annual naked bike ride perhaps, :-) but very encouraging all the same and with much applause from tourists.
There was a cheerful reception at Grosvenor Square, a load of speeches and I imagine there will - since I spotted a lot of imc regulars there - be further reports on the day pretty soon.
A petition or something was handed in at Downing Street. Oh and there was a surveillance helicopter overhead, which is unusual for CM.
It was a tremendous atmosphere with a couple of top sound systems (including old favourite Rinky Dink) and crowds received the ride with great enthusiasm. Perhaps not so much enthusiasm as the annual naked bike ride perhaps, :-) but very encouraging all the same and with much applause from tourists.
There was a cheerful reception at Grosvenor Square, a load of speeches and I imagine there will - since I spotted a lot of imc regulars there - be further reports on the day pretty soon.
mini mouse
e-mail:
mini_mouse@riseup.net
Comments
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Wow, I'm so happy to hear this
04.11.2006 17:59
Power to your.... ankles!
anon
Perhaps some rides were bigger?
05.11.2006 22:44
Several rides in the mid 90's had 800 or 900 riders.
Its great that you think there were 1000 cyclists on the ride.Is it true ? Estimates i heard varied from just over 400 to 600.
At the risk of being boring it was not a Critical Mass . It was the third Climate Change Bike Ride,the first 2 were from Thames Barrier to Lincoln's Inn Fields and had 50 and 200 cyclists on them respectively.
The delegation to Downing Street were handing in a letter calling for the UK to lead demands tfor sanctions on the US and Australia if they don't join international action on climate change.It also pointed out the poor record of the Gov on reducing CO2 ,particularly cars and planes,and called for yearly reductions of 3%.Sorry i didn't manage to announce that before the start but what with unexpected interviews and sound systems i lost it a bit.
Thanks to all riders .
And yes wasn't the Naked Bike ride just the best thing on two wheels (800+!!)
~~~^^^~~~simon
navigator Nov 4th ride
Simon
e-mail:
simongouldd@yahoo.co.uk