Critical Mass, a social cycling group here in St. Pete, is part of a global phenomenon. Originating in San Francisco in 1992, cyclist groups under the same moniker have cropped up all over the world. Local Brian Peret first encountered Critical Mass at a bike co-op. He’s been hooked since. On the last Friday of every month, Critical Mass does a group ride, meeting at St. Pete Bike Co-Op (559 Mirror Lake Drive) at 7pm and departing by 7:30pm, and through a partnership with the Bike Co-Op, riders can get services and fixes done prior to the ride.

This is a worldwide event that encourages fellowship and promotes bicycle culture. Group-ride leader, Brian Peret, states that when he first started, the group-ride consisted of about 15-20 people. Now on a slow day, the rides consist of at least 200-250, testifying to its popularity. “Some visitors asked if there was a Critical Mass in St. Pete like they have back home in Prague,” says Peret.

“Critical Mass gives me hope in humanity…”

While Peret may be the group ride leader, Critical Mass has no official leadership or formal structure. What’s known is that it began in San Francisco in 1992 and has since spread worldwide. Peret began leading the rides in October 2020 after the previous leaders asked for someone to take over. Anyone in the group can step up as the ride leader, reflecting Critical Mass’s ethos of accessibility for all.

And accessible it is—for everyone, from slow riders to fast riders. The community includes chefs, doctors, professors, bartenders, servers, and writers—Peret himself is an engineer. It’s also popular among those in recovery, seeking a healthy, accountable lifestyle and community connection.

In this spirit, Brian shares his struggles, including a 20-month sentence before joining the group. ‘Critical Mass gives me hope in humanity,’ Peret says. ‘The fact that we have this many riders every Friday speaks volumes about the city and to the city.’

Growing a bike community in the Sunshine City

As a member of the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee, Brian Peret regularly discusses laws and regulations for bicyclists. For example, while it’s currently legal to ride a bicycle on the sidewalk, some are advocating for a ban. The Critical Mass community offers Brian diverse perspectives on cycling issues, reflecting the group’s professional and economic diversity—a microcosm of the city.

Given Critical Mass’s involvement in these discussions, I ask Brian about its impact on St. Pete’s transportation landscape. “As an engineer,” Brian says, “I’m careful not to confuse correlation with causation. But one thing is certain: Critical Mass has normalized bicycling in the city, and while it may not be the direct cause, the city is transforming.”

Though the group might not directly influence laws, regulations, or civil developments, it has fostered a growing community—spoke, axle, and wheel—where everyone can ride.