Critical Mass Report and Pics

In the week of the law lords' final ruling on the legal status of critical mass, friday night saw around 200 cyclists brave the damp and cold to take part in the "commonly or customarily held procession" - for the third month in a row, no police directly accompanied the ride. the ride itself was mostly fun and smooth-going, but there was a collision at marble arch that marred an otherwise succesful evening.

the mass went over waterloo bridge and then along the strand to whitehall and parliament square. after a few circles there, the next stop was outside new scotland yard, where a very loud cycle sound system notified their presence to the police (along with chants of "one-nil, one-nil"). moving on past buckingham palace and round the back streets of piccadilly, there was a brief stop at piccadilly circus.

this is the third month without direct police accompaniment, and it seems each time the mass is getting better at controlling itself and other road traffic for the safety and benefit of all. it seemed that almost everyone was empowered to have a go at 'corking' (blocking incoming side roads at junctions to stop motor vehicles from mingling with the mass). if done firmly and politely, the road is kept clear for the whole mass to pass, and then the inconvenience to other motorists is minimised and the cyclists keep moving safely and freely. also, the front riders stopped every now and then to allow the mass to regroup. meanwhile pedestrians were often catered for and let through at crossings etc.

there were an array of different bikes too, with a couple of modern penny farthings, a very tall 'double decker' bike (whose rider was heard now and then shouting for people to keep moving - it was a long way down!!), there was a rickshaw, and at least two sound systems.

after a damp start, the rain held off, things were going smoothly until at marble arch, a bicycle was hit by an irate motorist who had been briefly held up by a 'cork' at the top of park lane and then decided to drive like a lunatic. as several cyclists went to aid, the driver at first tried to drive from the scene of the accident, then scraped his own car door by pushing it hard open against a nearby bicycle, and then assaulted the cyclist by poking him in the eye.

several riders kept the car surrounded until police arrived. the first cops were from charing cross, and they seemed to be very much on the side of the motorist, even suggesting that they'd arrest the cyclist who was assaulted! after a while some paddington officers turned up, and acted more professionally, taking details of the various witnesses, and eventually arresting and handcuffing the crazy driver.

a shout out to the cyclists that stuck around to help. next mass on boxing day - meet (as customarily!) under waterloo bridge on the south bank at 6-6.30pm (last friday of every month)