A couple of Fridays ago, the city and northern suburbs were inundated with bicyclists on the monthly “Critical Mass” bike ride. Wikipedia states that

Critical Mass is a bike ride typically held on the last Friday of every month in cities around the world where bicyclists and, less frequently, skateboarders, roller bladers, roller skaters and other self-propelled commuters take to the streets en masse.

It is a lot of bicyclists combined with a flash mob. There are no leaders or formal routes that the group takes. The group’s once a month ride is intended to promote non motorized transportation.

The problem with the ride is that it creates traffic chaos as they start at the Swanston St. library and head in any which way. Police and traffic coordinators have trouble predicting and routing traffic. For November’s Critical Mass ride, the group went through Carlton. There were all different types of bicycles and some that were playing music. I happened to catch an incident with police while filming, where tensions were flying high. You can also see the effect of what happens if someone stops in the middle of the road.

Youtube Video
Some photos from Nov. Critical Mass
Critical Mass
Wikipedia:Critical Mass

Related posts:

1. Critical Mass Tomorrow
2. The Weekend and Footy
3. What a day, what a night!
4. What a day, night and morning!
5. Melbourne Police Round-up