Bipedal, By Pedal: A Critical Mass Primer

(Pamphlet)

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Expozine Best English Zine Award Nominee 2008!A social history and tactics lesson about the Critical Mass bicycle movement. Initially meant to serve as a lesson for the unaware, this document is a refresher and motivator about the movement. The biggest question - "Is Critical Mass a protest or a celebration" - is explored in extensive detail here and in submission pieces by Ted White (early Critical Mass co-founder and director of We Aren't Blocking Traffic! documentary), Ayleen Crotty (co-host of the KBOO bike show), Scott Larkin (Go By Bicycle zine) , and more. There are also extensive reprints from the 1995 Critical Mass zine Hey! Get Out of Our Way! that updates the text and ideas. Illustrations (on every page!) by Matt Gauck, Fly, Sparky Taylor, Andy Singer, a clipping from The Oregonian, and more!

Reviews

Conveys, in textual form, the short-lived tensions and community of the rides that come into being for a few hours at the end of every month. - Contratexts

A great primer for anyone who is new to the movement, as well as a nice roll down memory lane for seasoned Massers. - John Greenfield

Biel details the conflicts that arise between cyclists and people driving cars with honesty and thoughtfulness. Critical Mass can be a positive social step toward sustainable transportation alternatives, an opportunity for recruitment, and a fun social scene. It can also be an area of protest and interruption of the status quo, which sometimes results in aggressive confrontations with car drivers and the police. - Feminist Review

"The Critical Mass history and philosophy in Bipedal makes perfect sense. The folks that put out the helpful, clear, beautiful guide Chainbreaker, that really liberates bikers from bike repair people, are American heroes." - Roctober

Author Bio

Joe Biel is the founder of Microcosm Publishing and creator of the documentary about the DIY music scene,If It Aint Cheap, It Aint Punk. He is the coauthor of 13 Years of Good Luck and the author of all volumes of the The CIA Makes Science Fiction Unexciting series and The Perfect Mix Tape Segue series andYou Can Work Any Hundred Hours a Week You Want (In Your Underwear)!! He lives in Portland, Oregon.