Political movements don't have to be shaped by politicians. In fact, one of the most dynamic movements to shape the way we see our streets started with a group of bicycle riders in San Francisco who simply wanted to be seen.
It's a gathering that's come to be known as "Critical Mass." Tomorrow night, hundreds, if not thousands, of cyclists from around the world will come together to take over the city's streets and celebrate the event's 20th anniversary.
Friday, September 28 is the 20th anniversary of Critical Mass, a weekly event in San Francisco where bicyclists ride around the city to reclaim their right to the road. KALW’s Ben Trefny spoke with Chris Carlsson, who cowrote the book Shift Happens: Critical Mass at 20. You can here the complete interview here, but take a listen to a special un-aired segment of the interview here.
On the last Friday evening of every month, the streets of hundreds of cities around the world are transformed. The cars, trucks, and busses that usually dominate the landscape slow down – because they are overwhelmed by bicycles. In San Francisco, cyclists from all over the city, the Bay Area, and sometimes the world come together at the foot of Market Street.
