June 25, 2004 (Vancouver, BC) – Today is the wrap-up event for Bike Month, the “2004 Wheels Critical Mass Ride”. This year’s ride is expected to top last year’s 1000 Wheels Ride where 800 enthusiastic cyclists, skateboarders, and rollerbladers took to the streets of Vancouver (see vancouver.indymedia.org/news/2003/06/54359.php).

Participants anticipate that the ride will break all previous attendance records for Critical Mass. The big ride provides the climax to Bike Month, which has seen thousands of new and veteran cyclists lay claim to the streets of Vancouver.

The massive ride starts 6:00 PM at the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery (by the fountain), then will wind it’s way through the streets of Vancouver encouraging motorists to abandon their cars for clean air. The start of the ride will feature a pedal powered sound system, which will be transported in the ride itself along with a pedal powered chariot.

Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through the streets of Vancouver in a car-free space. The motto: “We’re Not Blocking Traffic – We ARE Traffic!”

Funky bikes, skaters, bladers, kids, babies, dogs, grannies (and even a few City Councillors) now regularly participate in the monthly Critical Mass. The mood is festive and celebratory, with participants sporting decorated bicycles, signs, costumes, noisemakers, and wildly modified bicycle “choppers”.

Critical Mass was born in San Francisco in 1992, and quickly spread to other cities worldwide. Now over 300 cities boast monthly rides. Attendance at Vancouver Critical Mass has been increasing steadily, with recent rides averaging 300 participants.

Held the last Friday of every month, the Mass meets at the Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia Street side and proceeds on a previously undetermined route. There are “no leaders — only participants.” All are welcome.
For information on the monthly ride in Vancouver, email velolove@vancouver.indymedia.org or check the web site at http://www.velolove.bc.ca

Mass for Mass Transit.
We’re Not Blocking Traffic — We ARE Traffic!
THE REVOLUTION IS NOT MOTORIZED