As oil continues to gush into the Gulf of Mexico, many people feel helpless and frustrated. In New Orleans, a group of activists have decided to take to the streets on their bicycles to “demonstrate the efficiency of bicycles as modes of transport for all practical purposes.”
With the mantra of “No Drill, No Spill, No Kill,” a Critical Mass bike ride has been organized for next Friday (5/28) in the hopes to raise awareness of “clean transportation.”
I came across the event on Facebook and got in touch with one of the organizers. Here’s a snip from a statement about the ride:
“Cyclists from Orleans and Jefferson Parishes are calling for a Critical Mass ride in response to the latest in the Oil industry’s insults to our coast, and to demonstrate the possibilities of carbon-free transport. As we head into the next hurricane season, metro-area cyclists are reminding people that humans are not necessarily dependent on an industry that shows little regard for its workers’ lives, communities, or ecosystems…”
People behind the ride in Louisiana hope the idea spreads to cities across the country. Portland’s Critical Mass has fizzled in recent years, and the term Critical Mass makes many of today’s more moderate bike advocates cringe, but perhaps folks will feel like coming together in light of the obscene nature of this calamity in the Gulf.
If anyone’s inspired by this and plans a ride in the Portland area next Friday, let me know and I’ll help spread the word.