London Critical Mass Third Birthday

Critical Mass has reached the grand old age of 3. Hundreds of cyclists have been following the police motorbikes through town every month. In April they celebrated by having a birthday party in the middle of Piccadilly Circus. Right in the middle.

Just a little one, mind, just to make the point that cities should be designed around people and not the needs of motor traffic.

The mass left at its normal time from the South Bank to transport a specially made 19" chocolate cake, on its journey around town to rendezvous with the tables and chairs being prepared at Piccadilly Circus by a small group of activists who had gone out in front.

A terrific racket was made as the mass arrived bang on time. Once it was clear that the Circus was sealed to motor traffic the tables and chairs were whisked into the road and set up with table cloths and vases of flowers for that real cafe feel. A waiter laid out the cake and served champagne to cafe “customers” while massers sang happy birthday. Bystanders and police looked on amused.