WASHINGTON DC CRITICAL MASS

What's going on?

We are Critical Mass, a global movement in which cyclists come
together once a month to claim our space in the streets. We are
celebrating our solidarity and demonstrating the benefits of the
bicycle as a superior form of transportation to cars.

Why are you in my way?

We're sorry if we contributed to your delay, our purpose is not
to annoy motorists. Most of us ride our bikes for transportation
every day. Current estimates put the number of bicycle commuters
in the DC area at 10,000. Can you imagine if we all drove
instead of cycling? Now, imagine if 20,000 or 30,000 people
commuted by bicycle instead of by car.

What makes bicycles better than cars?

Cars contribute to: landfills of junked cars, pollution from
oil, wars over control of oil, thousands of deaths yearly from
accidents, alienation from less human contact, violence, & noise
pollution.  Bicycles contribute to: a sense of community, good
health, a more reasonable pace of life, and more money in your
pocket (no buying gas).

What are the laws about bicycle traffic?

Believe it or not, bicycles have a full legal right to use the
road. As a matter of fact, it is illegal for bicycles to ride
on the sidewalk in the central business district in DC!

How can I support?

Our rides take place on the first Friday of every month. We
start at 6:00 PM from Dupont Circle in NW Washington, DC.
For more information, please check out web site at
http://cm-dc.mahost.org/

As a driver, please respect cyclists rights to the road and
watch out when opening your car doors onto the street.

[Side Two]

Some facts & thoughts.

did you know that although we are only 5% of the world's
population, the us consumes 26% of the world's oil? in the year
2000 we consumed 20 million barrels of oil a day, 53% of which
was used for transportation mostly for single occupancy
vehicles!

how do you feel about the oil and gas corporations that profit
from our dependence on cars? companies like exxon, shell and
texaco are hoping to receive $22 billion in federal subsidies
from the us government this year.

what do you think about the fact that the middle east, home of
the world's largest oil reserves, is also the top market for us
weapons sales?

as we are biking the bush administration is making moves towards
an "inevitable" war in iraq, which will take thousands of
innocent lives. how does the promise of violence and war make
you feel?

... ABOUT OIL, WAR AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR PEACE.