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Volume 13 Number 20 | 50¢
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May 14, 2014
Cyclists reclaim the streets with Critical Mass Cycling is not only a fun activity to do in your free time, it is a sustainable means of transportation for daily commuting. To promote this initiative in Kamloops, some locals got together about five years ago to create the Kamloops Critical Mass riding group. Critical Mass is a cycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month. The event originated in 1992 in San Francisco; by the end of 2003, the event was being held in over 300 cities around the world. Critical Mass has been described as “monthly political-protest rides”, and characterized as being part of a social movement. It has been described as a “monthly protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets.” The Kamloops Critical Mass group is a gathering of cyclists, not in protest of vehicles, but in celebration of bicycling. They aim to show people that riding your bike is a fun, healthy alternative to driving a car and once each month they like to gather and celebrate the right to ride. They meet at Riverside Park by the tennis courts at 5:15pm on the last Friday of every month. Donovan Cavers, one of the promoters of Critical Mass and advocate for the group, is thrilled about the new season of riding. “We are here to promote cycling,” comments Donovan. “Bicycles
The Kamlooips Critical Mass group is about enjoying riding bikes and bringing awareness to this sustainable mode of transportation. Join them for a ride on the last Friday evening of every month.
are road users like vehicles, but most people don’t know that. Plus, it is fun to ride with a bunch of people.” According to the Motor Vehicle Act of British Columbia, a person operating a cycle has the same rights and duties as a driver of a vehicle. Unlike many other Critical Mass groups around the world, the Kamloops participants don’t block traffic. They simply follow the rules of the road and hopefully encourage more people to use their bikes. “We always stay in one lane and most drivers are courteous,”
comments Donovan. The group is very flexible when it comes to where they ride and for how long. “We usually only ride for about 30 or 45 minutes,” adds Donovan. “It is a leisurely pace.” Sometimes there are only a few people who can make it out and sometimes there are up to 30 people enjoying the weather and company. “It is summer time and cycling is a feasible and sustainable way to get around.” “Critical Mass is a great lead up to Bike to Work Week,” Donovan says. Bike to Work Week is
just around the corner from May 26 to June 1. “I think this month will be a big one for us because of Bike to Work Week being on the same week. I encourage people to get their bikes out of their garage, dust it off and give it a try.” If you would like to learn more about the Critical Mass monthly rides please visit the group’s Facebook page at Kamloops Critical Mass Ride. Also make sure you know the rules of the road for a cyclist to protect yourself and other motorists at bikesense.bc.ca/ch4.htm. Ashley Demedeiros
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