Thirty cyclists rolled through central Seoul on January 17 in the city’s revived Critical Mass ride, reclaiming space on traffic-heavy streets.
On a cold but clear January afternoon, about 30 cyclists gathered at Sinyongsan Garo Park and rolled into central Seoul as part of the city’s revived Critical Mass movement, asserting their presence on roads more commonly dominated by buses, taxis, and dense traffic.
Critical Mass, a global grassroots cycling ride launched in the 1990s, promotes safer urban mobility and challenges car-centric infrastructure. Seoul had similar gatherings dating back to the early 2000s, but the movement stalled during the pandemic. It was revived in 2024 by local cyclists including Kim Eui-ho, co-founder of messenger service Gridy, who now helps organize monthly rides.
Kim says Seoul’s low rate of daily cycling makes visibility crucial. Riding in a large group increases safety and lowers the stress many feel navigating fragmented bike lanes and aggressive traffic. Participation has ranged from 20 to more than 80 riders, with most in their 20s and 30s.
For participants like Joshua Jones, a British teacher living in Korea, the ride offers both advocacy and community. Others, including climate campaigner Kang Da-yeon, see it as part of a broader push toward environmental awareness and public space equity.
The group meets on the third Saturday of each month, inviting anyone with a bike and helmet to join.
In a city built for engines, even thirty bicycles moving together can feel like a quiet negotiation about who the streets are really for.
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