I'm reading "Critical Mass: Bicycling's Defiant Celebration" (2002, AK Press, edited by Chris Carlsson). It's an interesting collection of essays about Critical Masses that have been taking place around the world. (Critical Mass--CM-began in the early 1990s in San Francisco. It is a slow-moving bicycle ride in a city which is designed to disrupt automobile traffic.)

Chris also came to Black Planet books (in Fells Point) recently to discuss CM. He was articulate and seemed like a really nice guy. He was actually among the initial core of bicycle enthusiasts who started CM. (Chris says that no one person can claim the distinction of inventing it.) Their inspiration for the name, "Critical Mass", comes from a movie that they saw. It showed how bicyclists in normal days in Chinese cities mass in the middle of intersections. When enough have arrived they enter it, briefly cutting off motorists to get to where they need to go.

Baltimore celebrates Critical Mass on the last Friday of every month. (We meet at Charles and Redwood Streets, downtown.) For much of this year the police have been a problem. Last March they went ape-shit and arrested four riders for assault. They charged one of them for assault after severely beating him. While this was taking place I witnessed a police officer throwing a bicycle at one of the riders who was peacefully watching from the sidewalk. The cop then charged the owner of the bike that he threw (and damaged), with assault.

(In recent months it is apparent that the Baltimore PD has no problem with violently shoving, beating or throwing a bicycle at any kind of protester downtown. Then they book you for assaulting them. They are comfortable lying under oath in a courtroom. So, keep that in mind when you join us for the next Critical Mass.)

Returning to the topic, some general thoughts about CM:

1. At its peak, around 1997 in San Francisco, several thousand bicyclists participated.

2. San Francisco arguably has the most festive rides. Many participants arrive in cheerful costumes. (One guy, known as Dildo Man, arrives costumed as a Justice League of America superhero with an erect you-know-what attached to his helmet.)

3. In Lancaster, England, CM is credited with encouraging the local government to adopt some changes that benefit bicyclists.

4. In Montreal, bicyclists in early CMs were often harassed by motorists and the police. However, eventually acceptance grew. Today altercations are fewer. (By the way, there is an interesting photo in Chris's book showing CM bicyclists in Montreal gleefully entering a large shopping mall. That must have been fun.)

5. There are never any leaders or spokespersons for the CM rides. The overall feeling is anarchistic.

The last point leads to the discussion. Is CM only to be an expression of general anarchy, a reclamation of public space by chaos? Or, should it be utilized to try to achieve specific changes in the transportation policies of major cities?

Another issue is tactics. Many people have a problem with disrupting automobile traffic. (The nay-sayers say CM should not disrupt traffic because it is a captive audience to the CM statement.) Is there moral justification for Critical Mass bicyclists to disrupt automobiles? If so, what is it?

Finally, how should CM participants react to violent outbursts by furious motorists and hysterical police?

Let's talk about it. (By the way, the next CM ride is 8/29. See ya there.)