Bike Grid Now has taken to heart many aspects that were developed over the long history of Chicago’s Critical Mass, including direct action ideals, communal route planning, and a legacy of bike advocacy. To be clear, Bike Grid Now and Critical Mass are separate entities that have different leadership, goals, and opinions. However, quite a few individuals comprising Bike Grid Now are frequent riders with Critical Mass, which brings together a broad swath of biking culture and advocacy (as well a skaters and scooter-ers) from across the city’s neighborhoods and disciplines.
Overview
Critical Mass starts in Daley Plaza at 6pm on the last Friday of ever month. (The actual departure is often closer to 6:30pm.) After circling the block until all riders are on the road, the ride takes off and does not return to its starting point. Routes are usually posted on Facebook by the morning of the ride, but specific routes are loosely followed.
There is no obligation to ride until the end of the route, and longer instances often see riders peel away. If the route is posted, you may be able to join the ride already in progress, though there is no location tracking and timing is difficult.
Follow Critical Mass at:
- https://www.instagram.com/chicritmass
- https://www.threads.com/@chicritmass
- https://bsky.app/profile/chicritmass.bsky.social
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/ccmxv/
Bike Buses to the Start
While not official, two ad-hoc bike buses have formed with a fairly consist route and schedule to collect riders on their way downtown. If no one is gathered at the starting point by the departure time, you may need to go it alone.
Lincoln Park
Meet at the Eagle Column in Jonquil Park (Wrightwood/Sheffield/Lincoln). Departure at 5:30pm.
Lincoln -> Wells -> Washington
Pilsen
Meet at Harrison Park in the northwest corner (Damen/18th). Departure at 5:30pm.
18th -> Halsted -> Washington
Bike bus will often collect riders at 18th/Halsted and Harrison/Halsted.
History
Since 1997, Chicago’s version of Critical Mass has been held on the last Friday of every month, year-round and in all weather. Hundreds will show up in the summer, while in the winter often only a handful. The ride officially maintains that the group’s congregation is coincidental, autonomously traveling in the same direction without a true organizer.
Local traditions include:
- Chicagoans share a local Midwestern NiceTM flair by emphasizes calling out “Happy Friday” to drivers.
- The ride will quickly pull apart to the sides to let through ambulances and fire trucks with emergency lights and sirens.
- Yelling “Mass Up” signifies to those ahead that they should slow down, to keep the group intact as one unit.
- Riders will usually point out potholes in the road to avoid for those behind them.
- Going through tunnels and viaducts, the ride will often whoop, holler, and ring bike bells to enjoy the echoing effect.
- The October ride typically sees riders in costumes for Halloweekend.
- Warm-weather routes often end in a park with a bonfire or at the beach for a swim. Those headed home can often find a group to travel with in the same direction.
Historical route maps are available here: https://bedno.com/ccm
Streetsblog Chicago has a retrospective from 2017, when some of the first riders came back for a celebratory anniversary ride.
