The inaugural Critical Mass Summit was so well done, from the way it engaged a diverse set of participants and presenters, to the quality and format of the sessions themselves. In a year filled with virtual conferences, it was by far the best I attended. Having three hosts that were together in-person, often with the speakers present as well, proved to be a winning engagement strategy for viewers at home and a welcome relief from the endless face-filled boxes of Zoom.
The content itself was incredibly accessible, whether you’ve been working in the industry for decades or are a casual biker wanting to get more involved in your local scene. I loved the emphasis on self-care and ritual, and the pains taken to create safe spaces for BIPOC to come together, as well as white allies. The variety in the sessions also showcased how bicycling encompasses many different fields, from transportation to politics to the outdoor industry to wellness.