Gothenburg Critical Mass

Rides during spring 2011

2011-04-20T17:33:00.000+02:00

The ride in March was the spring's first Critical Mass in Gothenburg. The winter was hard on Gothenburg's cyclists, but now both the streets and our bikes are clean and ready to face new challenges. Spring dates are

April 29
May 27
June 24

We ride to celebrate cycling and to assert cyclists' right to the road. Critical Mass is a celebration not a demonstration.

More cycle demonstrations in Gothenburg

2010-08-02T16:15:00.002+02:00

Gothenburg Critical Mass is not the only cycle demonstration in town. On September 18th, the day before the Swedish election, there will be a climate cycle demonstration in the central city. The demonstration is supported by a large number of organisations, and during the day the whole of Kungsportsavenyn will be occupied by cyclists. Also numerous music events will take place. The slogans for the demonstration are

It is not in line with the city's climate policy to build the Marieholm tunnel
Expand the public transportation - not the mass motoring
Introduce Crowding taxes - lower the public transportation fees

There will be an information meeting August 11 in the premises of Klimax on Tredje Långgatan 13, at 19.00. All are invited to that meeting. Take a tour on the demonstration web-place

www.cykeldemonstrationen.se

and join!

May Ride

2010-06-05T19:09:00.000+02:00

There were four new riders this time. And although we were hoping for many more, we were glad to set out with seven bikes compared to three from April! The weather was not perfect, but it wasn't bad. The ride, as always, was fun. There were few efforts to 'take over the road' during the ride by some spirited riders but with numbers so thin, it becomes mighty difficult and dangerous to do so. But still, I believe that we had our presence felt to some onlookers and a red flashy ferrari! Mission accomplished for the day.

The 'mass' dispersed with the promise that each one of the ones present would bring two of their friends to the next ride. Fingers crossed. And see you all at the June ride.

Size does matter!

2010-05-06T21:00:00.005+02:00

It was a cold rainy Friday coinciding with Chalmers Cortège and Valborg eve. As expected, just three of us turned up for the April ride. It was a wet but fun ride. But of course, it's a hell lot more fun when we are more in numbers. This brings us to the main topic of this blog entry. For a while we (the regulars) have been thinking about what we can do to bring more people to our rides. After all, the idea behind critical mass bike rides is to get together in sizable numbers and form a cohesive mass of bikes to ride around the city spreading bike awareness and having fun at the same time. Needless to say, 4 or 5 bikers hardly make a mass!

Various ideas have been floated in the past. But it would be more conclusive if we take the ideas from everyone. To this end, we are going to float an opinion poll on this blog to gather ideas from present/potential riders and come to a consensus. Hopefully, enough opinions will come in to make this a fruitful exercise.

The March 2010 ride

2010-03-22T13:10:00.001+01:00

It is now time to clean the dust form the bicycles and meet for the first monthly bike ride that actually will happen. On Friday March 26 at 18.00 we meet at Gustav Adolf's Square and start a demonstration that within an hour will take us to Järntorget.

If the street cleaning continues at the pace at which they now sweep up the gravel, we can count on clean streets. So bring your bikes out of winter storage, hope for sunny weather, and participate in the Critical Mass March 2010 ride.

No February Ride

2010-02-22T16:20:00.003+01:00

Due to heavy snow in Gothenburg there's probably not going to be a ride on Friday 26th. If any brave souls turn up, good luck to you! :)

Hopefully see lots of you in March.

Prepare for January's ride

2010-01-20T10:32:00.004+01:00

As expected, not many showed up on the Christmas Day Critical Mass ride. It was cold and dark, but that's what we can expect from the northern countries at this time of the year. But a new year has just begun, and the spring and global warming comes with promises of warmer times (and a city dedicated to cyclists).

So on Friday 29 January is the time to reclaim the streets, and take them back into our possession, or at least make our point heard. We gathered as usual at Gustav Adolf's Square at 18.00. It may be cold, so do not forget warm clothes and bike lights.

There is also a flyer with the spring date to print and spread: (click here).

Not even Christmas is reason enough not to ride

2009-12-06T14:43:00.001+01:00

The atmosphere was good on the November Critical Mass ride. The number of participants varied between six and eight, and it had of course been even more fun if more would show up. It is, after all, always safer to ride in a group. Anyhow the tour ended with a strengthening cup of coffee at a cafe in town.

The December tour will take place on Christmas Day. We look forward to a Christmas like experience, a quiet bike ride through the snow with jingling bells. The food from Christmas Eve must be shaken down and new room for the Christmas dinner must be created. Dress yourself in long johns and quilted jacket, and take part in this month's Critical Mass ride.

"Burn fat, not oil!"

Next Ride

2009-11-25T08:15:00.002+01:00

The end of the rainy November is approaching, but the cyclists of Gothenburg defies wind and weather for the monthly ride. We gather on Friday 27 at 18.00 at Gustav Adolf's Square and cycle at decent pace through the city. Usually the ride ends at Järntorget around 19 and those who wish may well continue over a coffee or a glass of beer.

Do not forget to bring lights, something to drink, and clothing for the weather.

Photos of September '09 ride

2009-09-27T23:24:00.008+02:00

Bike rental in Gothenburg

2009-07-29T23:38:00.003+02:00

If you're looking to rent a bike in Gothenburg, you can try some of these places...

GreenStreet: Gothenburg's Bike Share (Official site in Swedish)

Stigbergsliden Hostel

Cykel Kungen

If you know of any other places, or have any experience of the ones above, please leave a comment.

Video of May '09 ride

2009-06-01T11:23:00.001+02:00

Video of September '08 ride

2009-05-25T15:31:00.000+02:00

Mailing list

2009-04-27T00:50:00.003+02:00

To discuss cycling in and around Gothenburg, receive reminders about upcoming rides, there's now a mailing list you can join: cm-goteborg (thanks Inventati).

Posters and flyers

2009-04-17T11:20:00.003+02:00

There are now posters and flyers available for printing and spreading. Tell everyone and bring your friends! :)

poster, flyer, double paged flyer

When, where and why

2009-03-14T00:23:00.009+01:00

When?
Gothenburg Critical Mass happens on the last Friday of the month.
18.00

Where?
We meet at Gustav Adolf Torg in Göteborg (map)

Why?
"Critical Mass is an adventure on wheels, raising awareness of the need to change our fuelish ways!"