People who use bicycles as a form of transportation do a lot of good to themselves, the cities they live in and the environment, yet they get absolutely no recognition or respect on the roads. Their interests are not represented by their governments and municipalities. Cycling is simply not a big business compared to automobile and petroleum industries and cannot buy political representation.

Because of these and many other reasons cyclists around the world have decided to reclaim the roads by organizing Critical Mass rallies which consist of simply riding around the city in large numbers. Nothing more, nothing less. Does this obstruct traffic? That's impossible because cyclists are the traffic.

Those who have been to Florence surely noticed the car and scooter traffic with its air and noise pollution. It is also obvious that the city's 1000+ year old urban planning was not designed for cars. Unlike North America, where a car is often a necessity because of the great distances, Florence can be crossed by bicycle in only 30 minutes. There is really no reason why healthy adults should use any other vehicle in this city.

From critical-mass.org: Critical Mass is not an organization, it's an unorganized coincidence. It's a worldwide movement ... of bicycles, in the streets.
From scorcher.org: "What’s this all about?" There are a wide variety of answers: "It’s about banning cars." "It’s about having fun in the street." "It’s about a more social way of life." "It’s about asserting our right to the road". "It’s about solidarity." Critical Mass is many things to many people, and while many concepts expressed may evoke memories of past political protests, Critical Mass is foremost a celebration, not a protest.

when and where

In Florence Critical Mass takes place every last Thursday of the month (once a month) at 18:30 in Piazza Santissima Annunziata. Don't miss it.

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(old) news

10/10/03 Approximately 120 cyclists showed up for this 1 year anniversary of Critical Mass in Florence. Check out the pictures page. The route covered most major arteries of the city including a symbolic ride past the American consulate, normally closed to all traffic.

other critical mass sites

www.critical-mass.org - There's no official Critical Mass site but this is the closest thing to it.
www.scorcher.org - The San Francisco site where it all began.

In Italian:
firenzeinbici.net - The site for florentine cyclists.
firenzeinbici.net/criticalmass - Critical Mass Firenze page (doesn't seem to be updated anymore).
inventati.org/criticalmass - Critical Mass Italia site.

cyclist sites

Italian Federation Friends of the Bicycle promotes the use of the bicycle as an environmentally friendly means of transport within an urban context. (in Italian, English & German)
European Cyclist Federation a portal for European cyclist associations.
Carbusters.org fights the car culture and promotes alternatives to car dependence  and automobile-based urban planning.
Olimfirenze.com one of the places you can rent a bike while visiting Florence.