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Indybay Feature

The Joyful Alternative: 15 Years of Critical Mass

by Robert B. Livingston (gruaudemais [at] yahoo.com)
For just a couple of hours on the last Friday of each month, hundreds of cyclists informally ride together to claim the streets which are normally ruled by automobiles. The gathering is part celebration and part peaceful protest. The main message: we still have a choice to live our lives in a way that is more thoughtful of the world's resources, to live in a way that is more socially nurturing of life and health, and to live our lives with more joy.
critical_mass.jpg
San Francisco
September 28, 2007

Today's ride marked the spontaneous demonstration's 15th year.

Here are a few photos from the beginning of the ride.

Hope some other riders have some more!

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by Robert B. Livingston
1.jpg
bicycle cowboy
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by Robert B. Livingston
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leather detail
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by Robert B. Livingston
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green party initiative
§4
by Robert B. Livingston
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waiting to start
§5
by Robert B. Livingston
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bumping into friends-- is that his real hair?
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by Robert B. Livingston
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orange is street friendly
§7
by Robert B. Livingston
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cool companion
§8
by Robert B. Livingston
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fun on the embarcadero
§9
by Robert B. Livingston
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friendly smile
§10
by Robert B. Livingston
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bicycling by
§11
by Robert B. Livingston
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unicycling by
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by Robert B. Livingston
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recumbenting by (?)
§13
by Robert B. Livingston
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happy way to begin a weekend
§14
by Robert B. Livingston
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Peace!
§15
by Robert B. Livingston
15_1.png
preaching to the converted
§16
by Robert B. Livingston
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fearless fashion statement
§Animated Gif
by Robert B. Livingston
sept_2007_critical_mass.gif
Some who haven't tried it say that the cyclists' main purpose is to infuriate the automobile drivers.

More likely, I think, is that they wish to demonstrate a joyful alternative to a culture that has become more and more destructive.
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Robert B. Livingston
Sun, Sep 30, 2007 3:58AM
Liberman
Sat, Sep 29, 2007 4:40PM
Canuck
Sat, Sep 29, 2007 1:37PM
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