Once upon a time, there was an initiantion originated in 1992 in San Fransico named Commute Clot. Later Critical Mass as known today, a cycling event that has been described as a protest by cyclists reclaiming the streets.
In Hungary, the last CM was held in 2013 because it was said that the
movement had reached its goal by promoting and significantly improving
the conditions for cycling in the city. The neccessary infrastructure
was built, the number of the cyclists well increased. Though, many people have expressed a need for a large scale spring bicycle parade. And now the great spring bike parade is back. So I Bike Budapest can be said as the successor of Critical Mass.
This year we joined the crowed with Dominik. That was a real challenge for me because of Dominik (and of course, the bigger challenge for Dominik). He showed interest with the event that I really did not mind but I worried a bit that I shouldn't have had to. We needed to get the gathering place by bike and I was not very familiar with the bicycle roads inside the capital and I was uncertain about the way back home as could not know in advance how tired Dominik would be, how cold and how dark would the evening be...
So there were some doubts but solution came. A group was organized to cycle from Budaörs to Budapest together and they just wheeled in front of our house so we just had to join them. And another little group joined us from left. Then from right. Oh, look at that bigger group cycling in front of us! Yeah, we all were going there! The goal was the same. By the time we reached the Petőfi Bridge, our group had increased amazingly, even one full lane was ours, not much to the delight of the car drivers. Many many people on two wheels, more ten thousands. Incredibly spectacular so that I needed to take a look backward many times during the march.
Once the march set off, the good feeling intensified. Being a part of such huge movement is good in itself. Highlights of the route for me were the Elizabeth Bridge, the Tunnel, the Chain Bridge that we could approach from two directions out of the traffic circle exceptionally. Great moments to feel the bitumen under the wheels that in normal case only can use by car. And hearing thousands of bells rung together. And howling in choir in every little tunnel.
As a result, I'm again very proud of my son. He again hold the field and reached his ambition.
So there were some doubts but solution came. A group was organized to cycle from Budaörs to Budapest together and they just wheeled in front of our house so we just had to join them. And another little group joined us from left. Then from right. Oh, look at that bigger group cycling in front of us! Yeah, we all were going there! The goal was the same. By the time we reached the Petőfi Bridge, our group had increased amazingly, even one full lane was ours, not much to the delight of the car drivers. Many many people on two wheels, more ten thousands. Incredibly spectacular so that I needed to take a look backward many times during the march. Once the march set off, the good feeling intensified. Being a part of such huge movement is good in itself. Highlights of the route for me were the Elizabeth Bridge, the Tunnel, the Chain Bridge that we could approach from two directions out of the traffic circle exceptionally. Great moments to feel the bitumen under the wheels that in normal case only can use by car. And hearing thousands of bells rung together. And howling in choir in every little tunnel.
As a result, I'm again very proud of my son. He again hold the field and reached his ambition.
