Drivers beware! The next 'Critical Mass' will be held on 22 September, Car Free Day, allowing participants to ride from start to finish via any route of their choosing - without any streets being closed by the local police.The message remains unchanged however,: bicyclists – who choose this environmentally friendly form of transport as an alternative to motor vehicles – deserves better travel conditions.
DATE: Monday, September 22, 2008
TIME: 6:30 PM - 8.00 PM
ROUTE: Your choice …
STARTING POINT: Hősök tere (Hero's Square) – with a bike lift at 6.30 PM
END POINT: Moszkva tér – with a bike lift at 8.00 PM
IMPORTANT: Since no streets will be closed off for the event, people not used to bicycling in the capital city traffic should exercise extra caution: it is advised that they follow the larger groups of bicyclists on a safe route. The organisers also request that participants abide by all traffic laws, including the use of appropriate lights during the evening hours and the avoidance of riding on sidewalks.
Why Not on the Weekend?
Car Free Day is on September 22, and the organisers would like to respect this tradition, hoping that car drivers will too (by finding alternatives to car travel). It also appears appropriate not to move this event to the weekend only to cater to the needs of car traffic, which is the lead cause of congestion and pollution in the first place, as bicycling offers a real alternative to this very problem.
This way the ride will resemble the original Critical Mass movement even more, as the participants will really be part of traffic and will be able to show just how many cyclists are willing and able to use the streets of Budapest as a means of transportation—without any roads being closed off by the police.
Source and background info: criticalmass.hu
18.09.2008