Bicycle Culture Rising #1: Participatory & Grassroots Bicycle Movements

by Joe Biel Author

A social history and tactics lesson about the participatory and grassroots bicycle movements and their impact and intersection with advoacy and city governments. Initially meant to serve as a lesson for the unaware, this document is a refresher and motivator about the movement. With everything from a look at Critical Mass, bicycle movements around the world, The Good Roads Movement, Super Legal Rides as protests, cultural conflicts, the Full Moon Ride as activism, George Bliss in China, Janette Sadik-Khan's stunts for bicycle infrastructure and resistance from business owners, Bike Summer, and how to cultivate social change by hosting fun bikes rides! Expozine Best English Zine Award Nominee 2008!

Comments & Reviews

Contratexts 8/15/2011: Conveys, in textual form, the short-lived tensions and community of the rides that come into being for a few hours at the end of every month.

John Greenfield 3/22/2011: A great primer for anyone who is new to the movement, as well as a nice roll down memory lane for seasoned Massers.

Feminist Review 1/15/2011: "Biel details the conflicts that arise between cyclists and people driving cars with honesty and thoughtfulness. Critical Mass can be a positive social step toward sustainable transportation alternatives, an opportunity for recruitment, and a fun social scene. It can also be an area of protest and interruption of the status quo, which sometimes results in aggressive confrontations with car drivers and the police."

Roctober 1/26/2010: “The Critical Mass history and philosophy in Bipedal makes perfect sense. The folks that put out the helpful, clear, beautiful guide Chainbreaker, that really liberates bikers from bike repair people, are American heroes.”

Maximum RnR 1/26/2010: “Joe has collected his personal experiences, stories of others, and some interesting debate on the nature, development, and criticism of Critical Mass. Even-handed without any of the swaggering macho righteousness that can be found amongst its participants (myself included 10 years ago), Bipedal, By Pedal is a great read both for those with knowledge and history of Critical Mass as well as the uninitiated. Part of the hope is that this zine could be distributed to drivers who interact with the Mass and want to have a better understanding of it, I think that it’s presented in such a fashion that, though it might not bring any understanding, it at least can provide some insight to someone who otherwise might just want to run someone over for delaying their commute. Keep a few of these in your back pocket on your next ride!”

Zine Thug 7/4/2009: "Bipedal, By Pedal contains history, anecdotes, interpretation, and analysis of Critical Mass that I think is worth $2."

Ziba 4/9/2008: saw it at the comic book store on sunset and thought hmm lets check it out!
looks good!

Maximum Rock n Roll #297: An analysis and brief history of the Critical Mass experience. Joe has collected his personal experiences, stories of others, and some interesting debate on the nature, development, and criticism of Critical Mass. Even-handed without any of the swaggering macho righteousness that can be found amongst its participants (myself including, ten years ago). Bipedal, By Pedal is a great read both for those with knowledge and history of Critical Mass as well as the uninitiated. Part of the hope is that this zine could be distributed to drivers who interact with the Mass and want to have a better understanding of it. I think that it's presented in such a fashion that, though it might not bring any understanding, it at least can provide insight to someone who otherwise might just want to run someone over for delaying their commute. Keep a few on these in your back pocket on your next ride!

Profane Existence: Basically, a beginner's guide to the Critical Mass. . . A nice little publication that will be most useful to those few of you who have not participated in any Masses.

Razorcake: If you’re into CM or have an interest in it, this is definitely something worth checking out.

Hanging Hex: Yes! This is a great little zine/ guide that is sorely needed. Maybe I'm just speaking from a personal point of view, but I feel as if these quarter-sizers ought to be given out mandatory at all biking events.

Feminist Review: The slim little zine contains an even-handed history of the movement, along with short articles and graphics, illustrations, and leaflet designs from other participants. Biel details the conflicts that arise between cyclists and people driving cars with honesty and thoughtfulness.