WinnipegFIRST

• Posted: Mar 30th 2007, 22:25 / Written by: Julie Horbal
• Tagged as: news, bike ride, critical mass
• 8 Comments

Warm weather doesn't only bring out the flowers.

The Winnipeg chapter of Critical Mass - a leader-free group of non-motorist travellers - held its monthly ride this afternoon to celebrate alternative transportation.

It was the 13th consecutive ride for the local group, which just completed its first cycle of year-round trips and whose mission, members complain, is misunderstood.

"We're celebrating the alternative to the car and we're against pollution," says Tim, a taxi-driver-turned-cyclist who did not want his last name published.

"I think bikers should have as many rights as motorists, because I pay taxes, too."

Approximately 40 cyclists turned out today - nearly twice as many as last month. Their route from Central Park to Old Market Square had the usual Big Brother-esque police escort.

Incident free

Riders who spoke to winnipegFIRST.ca say the trip was primarily incident free.

That's in sharp contrast to some trips last summer where members scuffled with police before being taken into custody and sparked public wrath by allegedly blocking the path of an ambulance.

As a result, riders say they have become frustrated by the "crazy anarchist"-label mainstream media and mass society have slapped on them, and are reluctant to be interviewed or provide their full names.

"People see Critical Mass and assume we're just anarchists on wheels," says Donna, who did not provide her last name for that reason.

"We risk our lives on our bikes every day riding to try to help the environment," she adds.