What about Critical Mass in Belarus?
By: Melikset Panosyan, Critical Masser from Armenia
This article was publised in: Carbuster Magazine
The idea of making CM in Minsk was inspired by a big Critical Mass ride that happened in Moscow in Spring 2005. Shortly thereafter a CM ride took place in Minsk, in April 2005. About 30 participants gathered together at a prearranged meeting point where they decided their ride route. At these beginning stages CM was planned in the last minute meetings before the ride, including decisions about where they would go and for how long, and sometimes this was even decided along the ride itself. Now because CM has grown in size and road rules have changed, CM actions usually happen on predefined routes and organizers provide this information to road police on the riding day.
On average about 100 to 120 participate in the ongoing rides that take place on the last Friday of each month, usually from April till October ( though it depends on weather). It is usually not possible to bike in winters. The recent changes to cycling laws in Belarus have made it worse for CM actions and cyclists in general. Bicycles are only allowed to ride on bike lanes, it is forbidden to cycle on sidewalks and streets. The confusing and frustrating thing is that there are very few streets in Minsk that have bike lanes and, therefore, it is forbidden to ride on most of the streets in the city. The CM movement in Belarus will focus on continuing their attempts to draw attention to cyclist's rights and the importance of promoting cycling through actions and campaigns.
Vladzimir, Minsk.
Why do you participate in Critical Mass?
“I have been in CM since the very beginning – May 2005. For me Critical Mass is a place to exchange information, a social sphere to talk and freely communicate with people who share the same ideas and try to make even a little change in the place where we live.”
What is the public reaction? Is there any resistance to CM?
“On riding people in the streets are getting really happy with the scene, they show confirming signs with their hands, sometimes clap. At the beginning even car drivers seem to be ok with the bikes. It started to change slowly and now most of the drivers don’t seem as calm as they were. I guess they start understanding what the movement is about.
Once, during a ride we were passing near a couple of break-dancers in the street. When seeing us they got really excited and started dancing right in the middle of the road. In general we have the impression that people are positive to us.
During the rides we usually occupy the rightist lane of the roads. If the trashes (the police) appear we move on sidewalks but than again back to the street. The Road Police is really tolerant and we now cooperate with it, but the Special Forces (OMON) gives us a hard time. Sometimes the rides are being escorted with a bus, full of trashes from Special Forces. We are ready to fight for the right of living the way we want.”
Vitalie, Minsk
What about Critical Mass in Belarus
Why do you ride in Critical Mass?
“I have been riding in CM a year, since spring 2006.
I want to gain a better city and infrastructure so that to make possible the dream of living in a place, in a city with less pollution, better and equal spaces.”
What is the public reaction? Is there any resistance to CM?
“Most of the people in the streets are positive towards our movement, some drivers are positive and others are really assholes. We are used to their swearing and wondering when we bloc their way in the streets.
There is one thing that is really confusing and frustrating. There are some cyclists who are against of Critical Mass. They are the ones who do not cycle in the City but only the countryside and back. They think that Critical Mass is attracting the attention of the policemen and authorities thus making difficulties for cyclists in general.
The cycling laws are not developed well enough in the city. There are some rules that make cycling in the city really difficult.
I am sure that our group will grow bigger and on our rides we will continue showing our existence and demand our rights from the responsible authorities.”