They came, they rode, they had fun!  The first Critical Mass ride of 2018 was a great success.  We had a great turnout of cyclists and some new faces that are now eager to join the movement and spread the word.  The weather was on-side for this outing and the sun shone down while the cyclists made their way across town and back.

The ride wasn't without excitement - due to the larger numbers for this ride, and the little rippers that were among the group, we decided as a group to occupy the travel lane where there were parked cars. 

The reason for this - without a dedicated bike lane in place, there isn't a safe way for novice and young riders to ensure they aren't struck by a car as they wobble a bit riding their bikes.  Kids tend to weave as they pedal up hills and when squeezed between a parked car and a passing one, it can be a terrifying experience for their parents (speaking from experience!).  So, in the name of safety, the group created a 'car' and slowed the pace for some vehicular travelers.  This was met with some frustration on the part of the motorists and we can understand that (although the intensity was a little much) as the cyclists don't need to occupy the entire lane - not if they had a safe space to ride in away from the travelling cars and where the novice and young riders can safely weave a little to tackle the modest hills of 7th Ave.

This interaction between the cars and the cyclists highlights why a dedicated, buffered bike lane is so important to novice and young pedallers and reminds the organizers why these rides are so important - to learn from all types of cyclists about their needs and ensure they are addressed with cycling infrastructure in the community.

​- RB