Critical Mass....a smart mob does a flash : Melbourne Indymedia

Critical mass cyclists started turning up outside the State Library at 5.00pm for their regular last Friday of the month ride around town. This critical mass was different. For a start another rally was being held outside the State Library - to commemorate the refugees from the Tampa - who sparked a crisis two years ago.

And many cyclists seemed to stay awhile and then leave. However, at 6.12pm cyclists suddenly appeared from all directions in the intersection of Swanston and Flinders streets, in front of Flinders Street Station. A critical mass swarm had occurred causing traffic jams to peak hour traffic. After a couple of minutes the cyclists massed up, and proceeded down Flinders, then up Elizabeth Street.

Flinders Street station was the site of Australia's first 'flash mobbing' on August 21st.

Friday's critical mass is not the first time for 'flash mob' tactics to be employed by urban action groups. A reclaim the Streets held in Carlton employed this tactic of dispersal and regrouping in a swarm at the target location.

The instructions advised people to slowly disperse between 5.50pm and 6.00pm before moving into corking positions in the target intersection at 6.11pm.

Critical Mass proceeded through the city doing bike lifts at a couple of intersections. It ventured through North Melbourne, Flemington, and winding up in Footscray at 7.30pm.

There was one piece of drama when a motorist attempted to overtake the mass, but was forced to pull over, behind cyclists, by an oncoming car. The two member police bicycle squad that was accompanying us quickly attended to the motorist. I didn't hang around, but I believe the driver may have been charged with an offence.

All told, an exciting and tiring ride home. If only all my commutes were this amount of fun.....

Front of the the Leaflet on the flash mass

Great sound system on this bike.

Bikelift at Elizabeth and La Trobe streets

This guy gives a new meaning to cycle computers. The screen on his back cycles through about a dozen different messages.

There were about 85 cyclists on Fridays Critical Mass. The swarm was an interesting tactic that did not use any SMS or e-mail technology, simply pieces of paper and word of mouth.

The incident described was on Epsom Rd where an impatient motorist overtook a (3 member) Police patrol (with Red and Blue e-Flares flashing) and crossed to the wrong side of the road at the crest of a hill. He then nearly collided with oncoming cars and also nearly cleaned up cyclists in Critical Mass.

At the time Critical Mass wasn't blocking traffic because bicycle police quickly caught him when he reached the cars that were in front of Critical Mass.

It is rumored that the driver was intoxicated but these details have not yet been verified.

Witnesses have been asked by police to contact them on 9247 5517 in the Critical Mass Yahoo group http://www.yahoogroups.com/cm-melb

The rest of the ride was without incident as the ride was relatively small and weaved its way through Flemington and Kensington to Footscray.

the leaflet above advises cyclists to obey traffic lights. this is good advice. but don't just do this during critical mass meetings; do it all the time. and good work letting the trams through. keep up the good work.

Great to see that Critical Mass continues despite the bullshit spouted about it by the commercial media. Great to see that the mass continues to use the commonsense tactic of staying as one through traffic lights. All sensible people who partake and have seen the mass as a bystander recognise that this prevents cars getting amongst the massers. This keeps the integrety and safety of the mass.

Sincerely hope further action is taken against the motorist/s involved the incident on Epsom Road.

"Just because" the car was attempting to overtake a group of cyclists does not in anyway validate the drivers actions. Individuals who for whatever reasons use their vehicles recklessly are a threat to ALL other road users, not just cyclists.

Otherwise, Flashmass is an positive & empowering development for CM.

But, jeez the wind gusts were really giving me the irrits. I really feel for anyone who had to battle home after the ride, especially those going north. May you of had a warm Radox or Lectric soda bath waiting for you.....;)

red light go
by subterranean cyclist Monday September 01, 2003 at 11:29 AM

Hi cagey ken.

The note about trams and obeying traffic signals was intentionally included. But heres a bit of clarification.

During the space between the primary meeting place and the flash point, I suggested that cyclists should not behave as if they are a Critical Mass because they are essentially on their own. I could not vouch for these cyclists skill so its "normal traffic conditions" for this trip.

During the Flash Bike Lift, it was quite easy to let trams through, and I support right of way for Public Transport all the time during Critical Mass rides. (+ all the time generally in city life)

I also think that Red Lights should be obeyed by Critical Mass as a whole (it also allows Critical Mass to bunch up and recondense) BUT, for Safety Reasons, I support corking and the ride staying as a solid group/s that occupy the entire road space, which means that often the second half of the ride is passing through a red light.

Keeping the ride together is much safer for everyone unless it has made a distinct split in which case you essentially have 2 separate groups that should operate as distinct mass entities.

But also I encourage a GOOD ATTITUDE and positive energy from riders in the mass, In my mind this is as important as obeying the law. indeed if you are being nice and friendly you can bend the law easily. If you have a bad attitude, then you are likely to encounter trouble even if you are obeying the law (this is a general rule for daily living, not just Critical Mass)

peace out