Critical Mass

The monthly "organised coincidence" of cyclists that is Critical Mass - people getting together to see what London would be like if more people cycled on a regular basis and to enjoy the delights of some temporarily car-free central London streets - has been the subject of a legal battle for the past year. Here's an update from someone who's been following the intricacies more closely that me.

Renewed Kafka-esque legal threat to cyclists

The Appeal Court, on Monday 21 May, overruled last year's High Court decision that the monthly Critical Mass bike rides in central London, as a "customary" procession, are exempt from Public Order Act requirements for advance notification to the police. A 2-1 majority in the Appeal Court decided that precisely because the rides had no fixed, pre-planned route they were not "customary", and therefore the law does require ... er ... the event's route to be notified in advance. Hmmm.

Initial press reports that this means the ride itself is illegal are wide of the mark. Participation in an un-notified procession is not of itself an offence. The Appeal judges themselves pointed out that to convict anyone, the police would need to prove that they were an organiser. Which will be difficult since there aren't any. But police could impose conditions on all participants "to prevent serious disruption" - although the court pointed out there wasn't any.

In response, the next ride - on Friday 25 May - looks like being a big 'un. Meet under the south end of Waterloo Bridge between 6pm and 6.30pm. (One might point out in a non-organisational manner.)