Shift Happens!: Critical Mass at 20 by Chris Carlsson

by Chris Carlsson

An international collection of 39 essays covering the history and practice of Critical Mass, the monthly gathering of bicyclists, that takes place in over 400 cities around the world. Whether under the name Critical Mass, Bicicritica, Bicicletada, Massa Critica, Ciemmona, or any of many other names, the grassroots movement of bicyclists riding en masse has changed cities and politics around the world, after its beginnings in San Francisco 20 years ago in 1992. Writers from Italy, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, France, England, Hungary, Czech Republic, Argentina, the United States, and more have contributed eloquent and illuminating accounts of how their respective cities have been altered by the experience of monthly mass cycling.

Paperback

First published August 1, 2012

About the author

Chris Carlsson, executive director of the multimedia history project "Shaping San Francisco" (foundsf.org), is a writer, publisher, editor and community organizer. He was a founder of the ground-breaking magazine Processed World, and helped launch the monthly bike-ins known as Critical Mass that have spread to five continents and over 300 cities. Carlsson has edited and authored numerous books, including Reclaiming San Francisco: History, Politics, Culture.