In the summer of 2017, our family returned to Europe to do another awesome bike tour. We started in Amsterdam and bicycled 800 km in a circle to Brussels and back to Amsterdam.
This part of the tour highlights the August Critical Mass bike ride in Brussels. Critical Mass is a bike ride that takes place on the last Friday of every month in more than 300 cities worldwide. Its purpose is to raise awareness about bicycle rights. They are a way for cyclists to spontaneously ride bikes together and celebrate cycling.
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This bike touring video was shot using Gopro Hero and Session cameras.
3 Comments
Critical Mass is not just about bicycle rights. It is also about the consumption society and capitalism and the environment. A friendly protest. So the idea is to annoy drivers a bit, to stop traffic/the 'fast moving world' so to speak. To break the rules. It's kinda silly to complain about cyclists breaking the rules during a Critical Mass ride. It should stay friendly of course.
To my knowledge there are no Critical Mass rides in the Netherlands. We had them in the 70's. And the same drivers who then got angry, now enjoy the car free city centers and cycle paths themselves and with their grandchildren. https://youtu.be/YY6PQAI4TZE?t=4m6s
Cops can be such cops
Seeing this after 6 years 🙂Made me retire. Nonetheless, thanks for sharing, the Critical Mass-thing was really fun. You got to ride the main arteries of the city which are (still after all these years) completely congested. But, riding a bicycle in Brussels is still 'something of an undertaking', it has really improved a lot. I personally don't ride a bicycle in Bxl, I walk but from what I've seen over the years, they are trying.
BTW, cheers for visiting our little countries. I love the idea of using a tandem and going with the whole family. Must have been really nice. Also love enjoying (the back then kids 🙂) having a good time. Especailly enjoying the Belgian Fries 😀