Vélorution universelle : masse critique Paris 2010

1. What is a Critical Mass?

Vélorution Paris 2010 — 2009-10-10T19:26:03Z

Why the term 'Critical Mass' ?

Critical mass is a sociodynamic term to describe the existence of sufficient momentum in a social system such that the momentum becomes self-sustaining and fuels further growth. (Wiki) It seems that the term 'critical mass' was applied to the cyclist movement following observation of road traffic in China, where in absence of crossing lights the cyclists wait to reach a sufficient number, to be a sufficient mass, to cross the road safely.

A large enough gathering of cyclists naturally imposes itself on the traffic ; participating members don't have to put up with the traffic's flow as an isolated cyclist does. By keeping together, cyclists create a car-free zone, which allows them to ride as they like, safely and according to their own rhythm. Furthermore this cyclists' gathering, rather unusual within the daily traffic, entices the approaching car drivers to slow down. There's then a reversal of the trend : cyclists reclaim the urban space for the benefit of non-motorised users. The critical threshold is reached !

How does it go?

Flexible and unpredictable, this movement has no real leaders or persons in charge ! Decisions are taken at the same time by nobody and by everybody, on a horizontal basis, without hierarchy, in order to ensure the event runs smoothly.

The itinerary can be prepared ahead, although most of the time it's improvised on the day, and often very efficiently as cyclists have a far more precise knowledge of the urban space than the average motorist. This year in Paris it will be defined ahead (and the authorities won't be necessarily informed), and it will be full of surprises!

Everyone is responsible for his/her own safety and for everybody else's. When approaching a more or less dangerous crossroad, cyclists ensure the procession crosses safely by posting themselves in front of each incoming road, preventing motorists from infiltrating the rally.

Critical mass is intended to be a celebration, not an opportunity to cause trouble. Those who want to try to tie up traffic as much as possible and be confrontational with motorists are missing the point. We can assert our right to the road without being rude about it. Focus on the ride, not on the cars that also happen to be on the road.

Objectives :

It all depends on the individuals who make up the mass. It sometimes doesn't go beyond a meeting of cyclists and the creation of a new public space ; it can also take a more radical shape in order to bring the attention of the motorists and of the local decision-makers on the difficulties related to the use of bicycle in towns. Its primary aim is absolutely not to ask for more cycling infrastructures but before all to reclaim and occupy what is legitimately ours : the street.

1-2-3-4 July 2010

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Warning: meeting points are subject to change - please check this page regularly

Map below

Be prepared: make sure you bring water, a snack, protection from the sun and, if you fancy, something to decorate your bike...

Thursday July 1st // Hors d'oeuvre

Welcoming our first arrivals (from France and beyond)
18.00 to 22.30: Shared meal # at: jardin Tino Rossi 75005 Paris
22.30: critical mass nocturnal lightshow: bring out lights, torches and all that glitters to enlighten Paris and take your chance to sparkle # from: jardin Tino Rossi 75005 Paris

Friday July 2nd // Starter

14.00 to 19.00: sunbathing, cyclofolies, fun and games, alleycat (informal bike race), cycle workshop # at: esplanade des Invalides 75007 Paris
14.00 to 20.30: film screenings

(see programme for details or or download it in pdf) # at: the "107", 107 rue du Chemin Vert 75011 Paris.
20.30 : synchronised critical masses leaving from 107 rue du Chemin Vert 75011 Paris and Invalides 75007 Paris, meeting point at Interférence Culturelle 14 avenue Bourgain 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux
22.00 : Party # at "Interférence Culturelle" 14 avenue Bourgain 92130 Issy-les-Moulineaux

Saturday July 3rd // Dish of the day!

gathering from 14h for a departure at 16h max.: The BIG critical mass – Paris is ours!! Please plan ahead, and bring your mid-day and evening meal - and plenty to drink! # Meeting point: in front of the Hôtel de Ville (the route has been declared to the authorities, see below for details)
20.00 : self-managed concert and party. Have your brass, string and drums instruments. # at: surprise!

Sunday July 4th // Dessert

12.00: Continental breakfast. Bring your baguette and some jam ! # at: jardin Serge Gainsbourg, porte des Lilas 75020 Paris.
14.00: critical mass # from: jardin Serge Gainsbourg, porte des Lilas 75020 Paris
15h00: Debates: the bicycle in all shapes and forms # at: bois de Vincennes 75012 beside the lake
18h00: Critical mass # from: bois de Vincennes 75012 Paris; to: "Ministère de la régularisation des sans papiers", 14 rue Baudelique 75018 Paris
19h30: Entertainments at the Ministère: screening of a film about the "Paris-Nice march" t(a protest about the treatment of illegal aliens) and then party.
00h00: end of the event

download programme and event map

2. Critical masses in France

Vélorution Paris 2010 — 2009-10-10T20:33:41Z

In France, the very first « bicycle demonstrations » were set up by the French agency of Friends of the Earth (see http://www.amisdelaterre.org). It was in the early 70s. In Gébé and Doillon's 1972 film, l'AN 01 (Year 01), thousands of cyclists can be seen in that kind of demonstrations, shouting catch phrases like « Cars, stink, dirt, tension! » or « Out with cars! In with bikes! » The first oil crisis was just on the verge of bursting out from barrels.

Today, critical masses take place every month in the biggest cities of France on a regular basis. A debate is going on as to how they should be named in French : « Velorution » ? (It is a conraction between « velo » (bike) and « revolution »), « street parties »? or a plain and literal French translation of the English terms, « masse critique »? Nevermind. Whatever the terms used to call this type of gatherings, their goals remain the same with slight variations among the groups of people or associations that keep them going on : # spend a friendly moment sharing bike culture # be part of the traffic (and not block it, as it is sometimes said) # show that bikes, contrary to cars, are a perfect means to develop and keep up with social networks # help beginners to experiment urban cycling in a secure and fun way # show a sense of responsibility towards things around us, be them living things or not # contest the political one-sided decisions in public affairs taken in favour of the engine and its addiction to energy.

This list is very probably incomplete as it is only a draft of feelings and sensations that can be found in the heart of such movements.

In spite of the very few efforts developed by municipalities to build cycle tracks, in spite of the few laws or decrees issued by our governments in spite of the numerous communication campaigns (of very uncertain quality) about cycling, there still remains a certitude : cyclists are cities' poor dear whose lot is to being mocked by their fellow citizens every day. Cycling is still considered as a sports or leisure activity. Indeed, very few are the people who actually think of it as a means of transportation in its own right, very rare are businesses offering gratifications to their cycling employees, and no fiscal measure in favor of cycling has ever been taken by any government.

Of course, all these ideas may not be supported by the whole cycling community, nor by all the participants to a critical mass. Everything depends on every individual in the mass.

As for you, you may make it... a party! a ride out! a demonstration! a fun day out! an initiation! a demand! a festival! a liturgy!

Enjoy your critical mass!

3. Critical masses videos

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«22 September (ex-carfree day in France, 2009)»

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«Ciemmona 2008 (Roma critical mass)»

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«Criticona 2009 (Madrid critical mass)»

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«Budapest Carfree day 2007»

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«Nice critical mass»

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«World naked bike ride 2007 (in Paris and at the same time all over the world)»

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«film scene of "l'AN 01" by Gébé and Doillon 1972 »

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«"Pas sages piétons" (Lyon's pedestrian critical mass)»

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«Still we ride (trailer of documentary of the New-York critical masses reprehension)»

1. Find a place to stay

Vélorution Paris 2010 — 2009-10-10T21:40:43Z

Here you'll find information both on how to offer accommodation in Paris as well as how to find lodgings.

If you can help to provide a collective accommodation space (camping area, gymnasium, etc.) contact us !

Offering accomodation at your place

If you can offer accommodation to others, thank you! Please use the following websites to let people know:

WarmShowers : an organisation that connects up cyclists all over the world (simple website, just for cyclists)
CouchSurfing : an organisation that connects up travellers all over the world (more complicated website, on which we have created an event and discussion group called "Vélorution Universelle Paris 2010").

Alternatively, leave a "comment" (below) telling us the amount of beds, sofas or floor-space available, where you are located, dates accommodation is available, smoking or non-smoking, and anything else you feel is relevant.

Finding accommodation with someone else

If you are looking for accommodation with someone in Paris (or the inner suburbs) we have put out a call-out for accommodation offers on the two following websites:

WarmShowers : an organisation that connects up cyclists all over the world (simple website, just for cyclists)
CouchSurfing : an organisation that connects up travellers all over the world (more complicated website, on which we have created an event and discussion group called "Vélorution Universelle Paris 2010").

Alternatively, have a look at the "comments" (below) left by others offering opportunities for accommodation.

How to use WarmShowers and/or CouchSurfing If you already know these websites, that's great! If not, they are worth checking out - we recommend using them, even after the Vélorution Universelle 2010 is over... The real raison d'être of these sites is to encourage the individual friendships and relationships that form around the offering and receiving of accommodation to fellow travellers. You can choose to how many people you offer your accommodation, and at what level of creature comforts, and you are always free to refuse a request. Both sites clearly explain the philosophy behind them. To use these sites, first create a profile. Then:
WarmShowers Offer accommodation. To request accommodation, begin with the map of France ten zoom in on Paris to get in contact.

CouchSurfing Offer/ request accommodation through the event Vélorution Universelle Paris 2010 and join the related discussion group.

Collective accommodation

We're looking for collective or communal accommodation opportunities. Great news! The local authorities in a Paris inner-suburb have already given us access to a gymnasium to use as a sleeping space. However, there will be lots of people to accommodate, so please keep your ears to the ground. If you can help us to locate other collective accommodation spaces (camping ground, gymnasium, etc.) contact us!

Cheap commercial accommodation options

Paris youth hostels

Campsites in Paris and the Île-de-France region ++++ Got any tips or ideas? Let us know, and we'll update this page.

2. Paris on a bike

Vélorution Paris 2010 — 2009-10-10T21:40:46Z
- 3. Things to know

4. Maps

Vélorution Paris 2010 — 2009-10-10T21:40:21Z

Map published by land IDF (Paris and suburb) and the Institute of Installation and Town planning. Download in very high-definition (4.68 Mo)

You will find all the cycle paths in Paris suburb, as well as information on made uneven, the network suburban trains, wooded areas, parks and waterways, on a ray of approximately 30km around Paris.

From where will the foreigner come? Here the answer in image. Do not hesitate to join the organizations of these various cities, perhaps will be able you to be made a place in the organized convoys…

A map of the velocists and bicycles business services, realized by the MDB (local organisation).

Interactive map of the subways, buses, suburban trains and trams in Paris region, on the website of the RATP

following maps : official map of the universal critical mass of Paris 2010

1. Posters and Co. (french)

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- 4. Propaganda / Downloads

2. Press releases (french)

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- 4. Propaganda / Downloads

3. Links and friends (french)

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- 4. Propaganda / Downloads