November 28: Mumbai: Critical Mass – event to promote cycling
CRITICAL MASS APPEAL
Tired of Mumbais overcrowded transportation system and looking for a medium to initiate change? Heres your chance ……..VIKAS HOTWANI
Abunch of youngsters are asking cycling enthusiasts to come out in large numbers on Friday November 28 to spread awareness about the citys transportation problems overcrowded trains, traffic snarls, lack of footpaths. They come from disparate backgrounds but are bound by the love of cycling and are convinced that this city is desperately in need of alternative means of transportation.
In Mumbai, cycling is restricted either to the dabbawalas or the dudhwalas. Thats it! Everyone else views cycling as a cheap, obsolete mode of transport, fumes O J Nelson, a musician and cycling enthusiast. It doesnt need a rocket scientist to tell us that something needs to be done about the citys infrastructure, which is near breaking point. The least we can do is promote cycling and make it cool.
This group has decided to introduce a concept called Critical Mass to Mumbai. Observed on every last Friday of the month, the concept has found takers in around 300 cities across the world, with the number of supporters varying from 20 to 80,000.
In India, the concept was introduced in Delhi three months ago. It now boasts of 100-plus participants at every event.
The challenge before the group is to convince busy Mumbaiites to adopt this environment-
We are spreading the word. Till date, such cycling events have been restricted to enthusiasts on weekends, to cater to our personal interest. But now we are going to turn it into a cause, says Anoop Rajan, a student and a cycling enthusiast.
Participants will gather at Shivaji Park, Dadar on the last Friday of this month at 5.30 pm and cycle up to Juhu, a distance of almost 10 kilometres.
Since its not a morcha, we dont need permission from traffic authorities. Anyone can join in. When we organise weekend trips, we expect an RSVP from those expected. Thats not the case here. Even at the last minute, if you feel you can make it, be there, says Anoop.
Anyone and everyone who agrees with the cause can join in.
But Critical Mass is a disorganised event with no leadership or centralised planning and hence poses a big problem.
Sustainability will be a challenge, but we need to begin some time, says Anoop.
For those who are interested but dont own a cycle, theres a way out. There are a few shops in the city that rent out cycles. We have put up the list on our discussion forum. Or else, get in touch with us and we will guide you. But please do not let I dont have a cycle be an excuse (to not turn up), insists the group.
WANT TO PARTICIPATE?
Take your bicycle out on November 28 and be there at Shivaji Park at 5.30 pm
Cycle up to Juhu, a distance of almost 10 kilometres
The aim: draw attention to the need for alternative means of transportation
For details, e-mail Anoop Rajan at anoop.dhc@gmail.com or visit http://www.cyclists.in/group/criticalmass
BICYCLE CULTURE
The first Critical Mass event was organised on September 25, 1992 in San Francisco, USA.
Over the years, citizens of 300-odd cities across the world have embraced the concept. It is known by different names, such as bike-lifting, corking and mass-up, in various cities.
Some Critical Mass events across the world have participants not only on cycles, but also on skateboards and wheelchairs.
India is still not convinced about promoting cycling as a means of transport but Amsterdam (Netherlands)