3rd Critical Mass Bike Ride 15/06/19

 
Another successful Critical Mass Bike Ride! XR Norwich member, Jim James reflects on the days events. 

Saturday’s Critical Mass ride was a great way to get out and see the Fine City at it’s Finest in the sunshine. Doing it with 100 or so of my friends and comrades was very much a bonus though. The feeling of freedom that comes from taking control of the roads for a few hours was quite liberating but it always amazes me how little resistance we get. The odd heckle, but generally all smiles and waves. The only ones who aren’t are often the people driving fancier cars, staring straight ahead and pretending we’re not there. Being the third of what’s becoming a monthly event, they’re only going to get bigger in the future. Myself, I’ve come to quite enjoy the prospect of these rides. They’re fun, they’re basically harmless, they’re a nice change from riding everywhere like my hair’s on fire and they’re the best of XR in microcosm. It’s relatively light hearted, it’s hard to counter and, while disruptive, it’s broadly accepted or welcomed on the ground. All of these things are a repeated feature of what XR does in all of it’s actions. It fits very much within the idea of regenerative culture, not just because it is low carbon transport or it helps with fitness but because it reminds us all how many we are, and how powerful we can be if we just get up off the bench and do something together. The combination of emotional regeneration and catharsis and rebellious, headline grabbing, actions are, for me what XR is about and what keeps me pushing on with it.
Jim James

Find out about future Critical Mass Bike Rides   here

For more photos from the event please visit our gallery.

EDP article leading up to the  event here.
EDP article following the  event here.