For this 5th edition, cyclists from all countries come together to Grenoble to express their joy of living and moving freely in the streets of the city. Thousands of cyclists are expected for a festive week-end with family and friends.
During a weekend, like other major European critical mass this event will bring together thousands of cyclists parading in cheerfulness, enjoying the clean air and streets without cars.
Between protest movement and festive parade, the wandering cyclist open to cyclists of all ages and all backgrounds will give to Grenoble a festive and velorutionary atmosphere !
Cyclists from all countries : gather yourselves!
Critical Mass is a fortuitous gathering of cyclists. Tasting the pleasure to circulate together, cyclists will benefit from the mass effect to naturally rise to a "fantastic procession". Cyclists traditionally so vulnerable in traffic, can agglomerate to "Become the traffic for no longer suffer it."
In the early 1990s, California cyclists revived this type of mobile events. Since there are "critical mass" on the four corners of our planet.
In France , the first " manifs à vélo" conducted by the association "Friends of the Earth" during the 1970s gave subversive origins to these demonstrations. In Grenoble in 1974, an event was attended by more than 3000 cyclists !
Since a decade, European cities are rediscovering the critical masses, always open to the greatest number. Each year, Budapest welcomes all cyclists in the world for Earth Day. Since 2004, Rome offers " Intergalactic Critical Mass ", the last weekend of May. In 2009, the Spanish cyclists have raised the Critical Mass interplanetary which in 2014 will be held in Valencia on the weekend of May 24.
In 2010, "Universal Velorution" emerged in the streets of Paris. After a second edition Paris, she chose to meet in a different agglomeration each year. In 2012, she went west by scrolling in the streets of Concarneau. In 2013, Marseille welcomed cyclists come enjoy the " European Capital of (automobile) Culture "...
Universal Velorution? Cheers Public Street !
The more we are riding a bicycle in the streets of our cities, the more it is enjoyable! This is the main difference between this efficient transport mode and car: motorist dream of being alone in the streets of the city when cyclists dream to share urban space with their fellow citizens !
The velorutionary principles show cheerfully the principles of the french revolution :
– * Freedom of movement
Cycling doesn’t oppress anyone in the streets of our cities, or elsewhere. The automobile, creating repetiting traffic jams prevents citizens to move freely. It makes our cities dependent on car and reduces the use of alternative modes !
– * Equal access to this economic mode of transport!
While the car leaves the poorest on the edge of the road and develop a society of munsteration of self ( "Mine is bigger than yours !") , Cycling promotes social equality.
– * Fraternity with all the inhabitants of this planet !
The car not only contributes to air pollution at the local level but also to oil depletion and climate change. The supremacy of the automobile has lasted too long, we must change our lifestyles for the survival of all !
– * Happyness !
The bike is a sociable and friendly mode. It gives smile and health to those who ride it. It allows everyone to have a technical autonomy, develops creativity and mechanical inventions and contributes to the decline in travel needs .
By choosing the first week-end of July, the Universal Velorution wants to show that France has another cycling culture than the Tour de France where the spirit of competition and the profit quest transform cyclists in sandwich men and put their lives in danger by the use of drugs.
Read more
Program of festivities, the weekend of July 4 to 6, 2014: pic-nics several critical masses, screenings and debates, workshops, bike games, track and improvised concerts ... see website
Processions will start from several regions of France, you can get to enjoy the bike ride to Grenoble. Educate yourself on the streets of your cities...