Welcome to Critical Mass Princeton

Critical Mass Princeton is a community bike ride to give everyone the opportunity to safely recreate the streets of downtown Princeton. It is about fostering a sense of community, where bicycle enjoyers of all ages and abilities can recreate and experience the joy of riding together. The only goal is to provide a welcoming space where we can collectively create a positive and safe experience for each other while enjoying the shared freedom of biking in our beautiful town.

What is Critical Mass?

Critical Mass is not just a bike ride, but a movement that celebrates cycling and the rights of cyclists. It's a global phenomenon, adapted locally by communities to highlight local issues and, above all else, bring people together.

Learn more about Critical Mass on Wikipedia (opens in a new tab)

Link to Social Media(s)

Link to Strava Route

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I bring to the ride?

• A bike in good working condition
• Lights (when we ride after sunset)
• Water and snacks
• Weather-appropriate clothing

How do we promote safety?

Safety is the top priority. We strive to create a secure environment for everyone to enjoy the ride. This includes:

• Taking Full Lanes: To ensure the safety of all cyclists, we take full lanes when necessary, especially where there are double yellow lines, to discourage unsafe passing by cars.
• Corking when Necessary: In order to keep the mass together, we may cork intersections until we have all safely navigated the intersection.
• Pre-Ride Safety Checks: Make sure your stuff works and can be ridden. Don't know what to look for? Something not spinning that should? Something spinning that shouldn't? Consider getting it checked out at one of our many local bike shops:
  • Halter's Cycles (opens in a new tab)
  • Pedego Princeton at Kopp's Cycle (opens in a new tab)
  • Jay's Cycles (opens in a new tab)
  • Sourland Cycles (opens in a new tab)

Is there a fee to participate?

No, Critical Mass Princeton is free to all participants. Our goal is to be accessible to everyone in the community.

How long are the rides?

Rides typically last between 1 to 2 hours, covering various routes through downtown Princeton.

Are children allowed to participate?

Yes, families are welcome! We encourage participants of all ages to join, keeping in mind that children should be accompanied by an adult.

What this ride is and how to talk about it.

Critical Mass Princeton is a bike ride that is dedicated to creating a safe, inclusive, and community-oriented environment for all participants. Here’s how we achieve these goals:

No Politics

Critical Mass Princeton takes no political stances but its attendants almost certainly do; come bike with us to hear about the variety of motivations that bring us together. This is a ride focused on community and cycling joy, not political discourse.

Join us to experience the joy of cycling together in a safe, welcoming, and community-focused environment.

Safety

Safety is our top priority. We strive to create a secure environment for everyone to enjoy the ride. This includes:

• Taking Full Lanes: To ensure the safety of all cyclists, we take full lanes when necessary, especially where there are double yellow lines, to discourage unsafe passing by cars.
• Corking when Necessary: In order to keep the mass together, we may cork intersections until we have all safely navigated the intersection.
• Pre-Ride Safety Checks: Encouraging all riders to perform safety checks on their bicycles before joining the ride.

Inclusivity

Critical Mass Princeton is committed to being an inclusive event that welcomes families and bicycle enjoyers of all ages and abilities:

• No Drop Ride: We maintain a pace that accommodates our slowest rider, ensuring no one is left behind.
• Family-Friendly: We actively encourage families to participate, making it a fun experience for riders young and old.
• Support for All Riders: As a community, we look out for each other. If a problem arises during the ride, we come together to find a solution, ensuring everyone can continue to enjoy the event safely.

Community

Community is the natural outcome of our commitment to safety and inclusivity:

• Shared Experiences: By riding together, we share experiences that foster a strong sense of belonging and community spirit.
• Post-Ride Gatherings: After each ride, participants are encouraged to gather, share their experiences, and enjoy local amenities.
• Community Feedback: We actively seek and incorporate feedback from participants to improve the ride experience for everyone.

We are the intersection of Community and Mobility

While Critical Mass Princeton is fundamentally focused on providing a safe and enjoyable biking experience, we recognize that cycling can intersect with political topics. Discussions about cycling's role in our community and its impact on public policy may naturally arise among participants. However, it's important to note that these discussions are not the primary goal of our rides. The primary objective is to foster a welcoming environment for all to enjoy the freedom and joy of cycling, without an agenda to promote political discourse. We have fun and we look out for each other. Anything beyond this is a bonus but not a stated goal.