Nottingham's February Critical Mass and Bike About :: Piccys

On Friday 23rd February, Nottingham's Critical Mass Bike Ride started from a NEW Meeting Point in the Market Square. This change is for everyone who rides a bike in Nottingham and wants to take part.

Critical Mass is a monthly bike ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road. With no set routes and no leaders, it's simply a bunch of people enjoying clean healthy transport.

Check out the website at  http://www.criticalmassrides.info/nottingham

Also, there is a discussion group at  http://lists.riseup.net/www/info/nottcriticalmass

In addition to all of the worthwhile issues that Critical Mass highlights, it's a great way to meet people and perhaps do a bit of networking to promote other campaigns.

So why start from the Market Square? Well Critical Mass should appeal to anyone that rides a bike so it should start from the most central location for everyone's benefit.

Plus, practically every other Critical Mass around the globe starts from a central, well-known location which makes it easy to remember and easy to find.

The previous meeting point at the Savoy, Derby Road location was chosen with a view to engaging more students from the Uni to be invovled. But over time, this hasn't really proved to be the case. Further, with the Texaco filing station now turned into a demolition site with much of the pavement area coned off, there is not a lot of room, should more cyclists come. Also, you had to know it was there, either by word of mouth or advertising. I don't think we were joined by many passers-by.

It's never more than a couple of hours. Bring bright clothing, lights, horns, bells, NOISE and FRIENDS.

As usual, I've tried to take a set of pictures that show critical mass to be an empowering experience. Hopefully fun to be at. A celebration of the alternatives to the existing 'car culture'.

The next one is Friday 30th March from Market Square, Nottingham (Last Friday of every month). Gather at 5.30pm to depart at 5.45pm. Let's get on our bikes and make this, the simplest of actions, happen.

See you there ..........

Links to the previous Nottingham Critical Mass 2005/6 I've covered at:

 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/11/356820.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/09/352260.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/09/352281.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/05/339623.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/02/334660.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/02/334465.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2006/02/332729.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/11/328535.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/11/328514.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/326823.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/10/324826.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/04/310149.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305420.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2005/02/305893.html
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/2004/06/292966.html

Slide Shows
CM Feb 2006  http://indymedia.org.uk/media/2006/02//334617.avi
CM 2005-2006  http://indymedia.org.uk/media/2006/02//334661.avi

Construction of the 'multi-person thingy'
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/03/335512.html

Design & building the multi-person powered thingy - Nottm's Rinky-Dink Phase 2
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/04/337654.html

Making flags and decor for Nottingham's Critical Mass Bike About
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/01/332293.html

All bikes are go ! Nottingham Indymedia feature
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2005/09/322684.html

Bicycology biketour pedals onwards : Nottingham Pix
 http://indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2006/08/348752.html

____________________________________________
ALAN LODGE
Photographer - Media: One Eye on the Road. Nottingham. UK
Email:  tash@gn.apc.org
Web:  http://tash.gn.apc.org
Member of the National Union of Journalists [No: 014345]
____________________________________________
"It is not enough to curse the darkness.
It is also necessary to light a lamp!!"
___________________________________________
OS Grid Ref: SK 575414 - Lat/Lon: 52:58:03N, 1:08:38W