Morning Critical Mass A Success!

bristol | the environment | news report Friday June 08, 2007 10:38 by pedal bob

Bristolians in Solidarity with G8 Protests Reclaim the Streets!

This morning saw a good natured critical mass reclaim the streets of Bristol from car-culture. A crowd of 40 to 50 riders gathered in solidarity with protests against the G8 and to draw attention to the chaos of climate change.

This morning saw a good natured and fun critical mass reclaim the streets of Bristol from car-culture! A good crowd of 40 to 50 riders gathered in the centre ready to move off in a carnival of cycling in solidarity with protests against the G8 and to draw attention to the chaos of climate change.

This morning saw a good natured and fun critical mass reclaim the streets of Bristol from car-culture! A good crowd of 40 to 50 riders gathered in the centre ready to move off in a carnival of cycling in solidarity with protests against the G8 and to draw attention to the chaos of climate change. It was interesting to note there was lots of media here this time – normally at a critical mass these is no media, but (being cynical) I wonder if the media arrived this time because there was a little agro at the last one? Shame that the media go for sensationalist news and not real news!

Anyway, the crowd moved off towards Temple Quay, the new financial heart of bristol (?) down Baldwin Street, over the bridge and down towards the roundabout that connects to Bristol Temple Meads, then over into temple quay where we found a mural on the floor 'We Have the Power' – very apt! Then on towards Broadmead and onto the bottom of the M32 and round back to the fountains. A good mornings work!

The reception was almost totally positive, flyers were handed out to pedestrians and fellow cyclists and drivers explaining what this was all about. Lots of people waved, cheers and beeped as we passed. There were bemused faces in corporate Bristol as the be-suited Temple Quay was invaded by pedal-power!

This event just going to show how people can reclaim a public space from the relentless grind of the rat-race and build some community. Unlike the G8, we care about climate change and got off our ass to do something! See you at the next one!