No Car Day, Prague - Critical Mass Bike Ride

Pictured here is the "finish line" of the Critical Mass bike ride which occurred on the International No Car day. Thousands of people on bikes showed up for a ride looping around and through the center of Prague, temporarily halting the endless procession of automobiles. Some of the cyclists, dressed as angels, helped to keep the group together, and to block off cross streets so that the group could pass safely without interference from a few angry drivers that inevitably met this unstoppable group of bikes.

The first mass bike ride took place in San Francisco, California, in 1992, and it acquired the name Critical Mass several years later.

This day was a great thing to see in Prague, where an estimated 70% of air pollution is caused by cars. Many Prague residents look forward to the day when more of the center will be reserved for pedestrians and bicycles.

Auto Mat is a local organization whose aim is to reduce the damage done to Prague by cars.

The Critical Mass bike ride occurs every month in Prague. Read about it in Czech or in English.

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Europe / Czech Republic

Lat: 50° 6' 15.97" N
Long: 14° 25' 50.55" E

Elevation: 657 ft

→ maps.google.com [EXT]

Precision is: High. Pinpoints the exact spot.

Canon 5d, Nikkor 10.5mm lens, hand-held 4 shots, PTGui, Smartblend. ISO 1600, 2.8, 1/8 sec.