Wow! Just wow! I love to bike (at home, on vacation, etc.)! And I really don't know why it took me so many years to finally participate in Chicago Critical Mass, but I am so glad I did. It was so much fun to bike through downtown Chicago and neighborhoods to the South and the West with a group (a massive group) of very friendly, up-beat and cool people of all ages. The ride is very casual (mainly with the start time), but you can tell that a tremendous amount of care is put into planning the event. Certain riders help block the traffic and work with the Chicago Police (thank you Police Officers - sincerely) to clear the way and block the streets, the route is diverse, varied and often unexpected, and there is a real festival vibe throughout the ride. I think what I liked the most about the ride was that not only were the other riders festive and up-beat, but so many of the bystanders and people in their cars joined in as well, waving and calling out. "Happy Friday" seems to be the groups go-to greeting, and people seem to really like that. When you are biking through the neighborhoods, people will come out of their house, bring their children, and wave at the bikers going by. I think this event is set up to maximize the amount of people who can participate. I would not recommend it for families that have very small children who not used to biking, but for those who are used to biking, absolutely give it a try! The main challenge is space between riders; you have to be very aware of others around you. I quickly adapted, and almost every one is very friendly, so it really is one of the funnest things you can do on two wheels. Things to keep in mind: Bring something to drink and maybe a snack. Go to the bathroom before you start. You probably won't find a restroom. Wear some reflective clothing and make sure you have a bike light. Have fun! read more

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It's not a protest. It's not an advocacy movement. It's just a bike ride. It's a party on wheels. It's a family affair. It's once a month, a friendy slow ride with a group of other bike riders. Ride your bike. Bikes are fun. read more

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Like Vanessa K. the August 08 ride was my first. I was pretty nervous not being a very experienced distance rider. All my friends who have done the ride in the past assured me that it's a laid back and a low energy ride. Boy were they right! I was having a harder time keeping with the slower pace. So this made for a great way to wind down from my chaotic work week. I was really amazed by the vast turn out for the ride. The weather was just right and I'm sure that people felt like getting a final hurrah out of summer. The ride brings in all types of characters. You'll see your die- hard bike messenger types, artsy fartsy kids, business men, and families. All kinds of bicylces too, mountain bikes, rickety beach cruises, light weight single speeds, bmx style, those double stack bikes and even a few penny-farthlings. When it comes to interaction with bystanders and traffic, people were a lot more receptive then I thought. Of course there were still a handful of ticked off impatient people, but you just have to shrug that off and laugh. It was enjoyable to shout out the "Happy Friday" motto to all on the streets. Many were standing on the sidewalks, baffled and whipping out their digital cameras to capture the mass rolling down the street. The best part was seeing the glee on any little kids face. An army of colorful friendly bicyclists waving and giving out high fives. I don't think I am die hard enough to participate every month. I just can't see ice and me mixing in. I have hard enough time standing up on my own two feet when it gets slick out. But as long as the weather is dry, look for me on my light blue bike. read more

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Critical mass is one of the coolest things I've experienced in Chicago. I ride the city at all hours of the day. Of course, when I am riding, I am always on high alert and very aware of my surroundings. I am not one of those maniac bikers that blow through red lights. I know I do not own the road but as cautious as I am, I am still almost hit by a car quite often. I do own a car and I do feel for the motorists being held up by the traffic. But it is nice to be able to ride on Clark at 7 pm on a Friday and not worry about getting door'd by someone on their cell phone. Meet up at Daley Plaza at 5:30 and starts later, 6ish. This is an excellent place for people watching and there are some bikes to be seen too. There are all types of people at critical mass but everyone is friendly. It's a nice slow ride (plenty of traffic backups for us). Lots of high fives from pedestrians. The look on the peoples' faces watching ~1500 bikers on Michigan ave is absolutely priceless. Critical Mass sure beats me riding solo and yelling, "HANG UP & DRIVE" read more

This was a great experience to be part of the Critical Mass ride. To feel and see everyone's passion to raise awareness and safety for cyclists in a big city. These guys aren't here to ruin your drive home! But to say HEY... we are commuters to share the road! Highly recommended you check this ride out. read more

Chicago Critical Mass - Active Life Near Me

(I'd give this 10 stars if Yelp would let me.) To all of you bitching, whining, and moaning about Critical Mass: I feel bad for you. It's one day of the month (Summer months only) where bike riders get to be the focus of traffic. EVERY other day of the entire year cars are the focus. WE have to watch out for YOU... talking on your phone, texting, speeding, running stop signs, all that great asshole-behind-the-wheel stuff. If you took that one day to ride your bike and be a part of this amazing trip you'd never complain again. You'd gain an entirely new appreciation of the power of people. It's not about bike awareness, it's about owning that road for a brief moment with a bunch of other people who feel the same way. To be so upset over a half-hour delay in your day is really a bummer of a way to live. This is, by far, the greatest free activity in Chicago. There is no better way to see new things and explore new neighborhoods than with 1,000 other people on bicycles. You know the beginning is Daley Plaza, but the route and final destination are fresh experiences every time. Meander through Roscoe/Lakeview and end up by The Cell? Awesome. Take over the Mag Mile then land at Montrose Beach to peel off your clothes and dive in the lake? Hell yeah! No matter what happens or where you go, it's an incredible adventure. If you got pissed off this year, take a Friday next Summer and get on your bike. The camaraderie is alligator strong and the trip is more fun than you could imagine. Critical Mass will never die, it will only get stronger. Join the group or get caught punching your steering wheel and swearing at yourself. It's your (easy) call. read more

20 years of Critical Mass Chicago! I've been riding for 15 of those years. I hope to ride another 15 or more in the city. Anytime I bring a friend or family member along they talk about the experience for weeks after. read more

Oh goodness this is entertaining. For all you drivers out there: I bet the local crossing guards don't yell "Happy Friday" to you on your morning commute! What a great way to end the month. Because you know, bikers hit children. That's why the crossing guards love us. read more

Critical Mass is a fun time for the WHOLE family! Don't listen to the oil industry shills posting to keep you from the truth, experience this GLOBAL MASS MOVEMENT for yourself before you pass judgement. Critical Mass is pure love for humanity & the planet. We are demanding PROGRESS via direct action & we will get it! MASS UP! :) read more

So many different perspectives and opinions in the past reviews. I'm gonna try and focus on the actual event itself. This was my first critical mass ride and wow this was probably one of the best things I have done in Chicago. The ride was scheduled to begin at 530 but that didn't happen of course, we actually started biking at 630 and that was around the same block for 10 mins or so, in order to get all the bikers to start moving. The bike ride went up Michigan towards Lincoln park and that is where we broke off from the pack and went for dinner. The ride was a awesome experience, being in a group of 500 bikers on a Friday evening cruising the streets of Chicago is something everyone should experience. On the other hand, I can definitely see the frustration and anger from everyone else that is not part of the ride. Critical Mass disrupted traffic continuously until everyone passed the intersection, which could be 20 mins or more. I ran into a friend on State St trying to cross the street but couldn't get through the hoards of bikers for 20 mins. Yelling "Happy Friday" to onlookers and commuters did put some smiles on their faces but others looked like they wanted to run us over. Overall, the ride itself was great, slow at times and patience is key. Great for all ages, bikes and people from all walks of life. The route was a complete mystery and wish they posted something. Sorry everyone else, I guess try and avoid the area on the last Friday of the month if possible. read more

Such polarizing reviews on here! Love It or Hate It, this ride adds to the cultural soup of Chicago. Halloween ride is my favorite. The Deraileur is the monthly publication with details about the Mass. Here is their Flickr link to view each monthly zine. https://www.flickr.com/photos/willownaeco/sets/with/72157656467681272 If you have a complaint about a bicyclist antagonizing you during the ride, I recommend you take your camera phone out, snap a picture or a video, and then post it online. Automotive congestion in this city is horrible any day of the month, and this ride really emphasizes that to both bicyclists and automotive drivers. Commuting in and out of Chicago is a way of life at this point, perhaps its time for a paradigm shift where people make a better effort to live closer to their jobs, schools and families. Or work hard to make the jobs and schools and housing in your current area more attractive. Our expectations of the Modern World obviously haven't made us nicer to each other, but I guarantee if you reduce your commute you will be happier and healthier. read more

CCM is pure Freedom! The few times I've gone have been some of the greatest experiences of my life. Ride a bike and "Happy Friday!" read more

The last Friday of the month. It's fun and you see so many parts of the city. A couple of years ago I thought it was a bunch of anarchists but now that I have been riding with the mass for a couple of years I look forward to it. A few riders are rude to drivers but most are smiling and greeting everyone with "Happy Friday." Try it sometime. You can cut out anytime you want. read more

The Critical Mass bike rides, on the last Friday of each month, are a huge, exhilarating, happy event, as thousands of bikes (somewhat fewer in the winter) zoom across the Chicago landscape in a gigantic parade of good times. You'll see bikes and riders of all kinds, on hybrids, choppers, BMXers, fixies, mountain bikes, recumbents, folders and all manner of ingenious cobbled-together contraptions, along with inline skaters and unicyclists. The rides have no leader: occasionally someone, or more than one person, will submit a proposed route at Daley Plaza (the starting point) for all to vote on. Other times, the Mass just floats through the city, like a school of fish or a flock of birds, with no real direction except from whomever happens to be at the front of the Mass at the time. It's an amazing phenomenon to be a part of and great fun to wave back at the excited little children who jump and wave at the spectacle. Bring your bike to Daley Plaza any last Friday of the month around 5:30 or 6:00 and join in. read more

It is like a political protest only something is missing, namely the politics. If people are going to break the traffic laws, which aren't the worst laws, there should be a good reason, like fighting social injustice of some kind. It seems mostly to be a way for people to individuate themselves en masse and prove they are not 'the man' by yelling at cars. All that is accomplished (other than, of course, the riders having fun, and doesn't that justify everything?) is a lot of extra pollution from all the stopped cars and a lot of drivers, public transportation users, and pedestrians who feel annoyed at being delayed for other people's selfishness, or worse, victimized by people racing past who yell things at you and are gone before you can respond. I do not drive, I am a lowly pedestrian and I wish Chicago was not such a car city, but Critical Mass does nothing to change things, and it doesn't even try. What gives bike riders the right to take over the streets in my community that I use for getting to and from my home so they can have a nice ride? I wish I could walk around without waiting at intersections, but actually it is a big city and we need to share the roads as safe as possible. Not seize them once a month in a display of power and idiocy. The whole thing feels like a gigantic frat party flying past. Isn't civil disobedience, which this clearly is, supposed to be about making society better, not just partying? read more

Don't get me wrong, I think the idea of critical mass is really cool. However, it does not give you the right to blatantly avoid traffic laws and signs. Illinois State Law explicitly states that cars and bikes must abide by the same laws and share the roads. Yes, bikers piss me off when I am driving up Ashland during rush hour and I get stuck behind one of them, but that is completely fine with me because these few bikers that I encounter are in their respective lane trying to commute home just like me. Critical mass is a nuisance. Yesterday I got stuck behind the tail end of critical mass. All I wanted to do was get around them in the left lane so I could get to the next stop light that would enable me to turn left to go around these idiots. I made the mistake of passing a bike cop, who was condoning this mass assembly, at 15mph (15mph below the speed limit). This guy got so pissed at me that he actually sped in front of my car and pulled me over, ON A BIKE!!!!! The best part was that he started yelling and screaming at me for "almost causing an accident." I was in my own lane, abiding by traffic laws (which this group clearly was not as they ran 5 traffic lights), and then began calling me names. This guy had no right to pull me over. Excuse me for trying to commute home just like everyone else. If I ran 5 traffic lights not only would I cause an accident but I would get a ticket for reckless driving. If you want to do your silly little bike rides on the last Friday of the month then go for it. All I ask in return is that you abide by the same traffic laws that motorists do. Don't "cork" the intersection and then get angry when someone honks at you. I know that the critical mass argument is that there is safety in numbers, but even if you abide by traffic laws there are thousands of you so you will still be safe and you will still annoy motorists, but at least we can all get home safely and avoid you, not have the urge to plow you over. As for those bike rides who say "take public transportation on the last Friday of the month," my comment to you is two fold 1) we should not be inconvenienced because you decide to blatantly disobey traffic laws and 2) not everyone has the luxury of taking public transportation to work given where their offices are located. If you respect us then we will respect you. read more