A new rolling religion

Hey America, need help kicking that addiction to oil? The earth-friendly movement has new legs in downtown Reno, or should I say wheels. On Friday night by Wingfield Park I was suddenly surrounded by a swarm of cyclists – bicyclists that is. A group of 26 nonchalant cruisers were zipping along sidewalks and pedaling circles in roundabouts. I observed a two-seated bike and asked them what was the meaning behind their motion. On the first Friday of every month, cyclists around the world band together and ride city streets to promote bicycle consciousness in urban areas, said Larry Payne. The informal, leaderless group is called “Critical Mass.” Payne said his daughter in San Francisco belongs to the group and she pedals with thousands on the chosen Friday.

Kevin Smith, who rode on the second seat, joked that “Critical Mass” sounds like a religion, a “bicy-cult.”

“It’s a rolling church,” Payne said with a smile.

Don’t get the wrong impression about these holy rollers. They’re not an exclusive or elitist group. The local group welcomes all with one wheel or more. Their ages range from 6 to 60. They’ve had tricycles and unicycles. They ride together as a group to keep things safe and carefully orchestrate traveling through congested traffic areas.

“Under the guise of disorganization we’re actually organized,” Payne said.

Watch out gas-guzzlers. They’re on the move.