To ensure the safety and enjoyment of all participants, Los Angeles Critical Mass has established the following mandatory rules. By participating, you agree to comply with this policy. Violations may result in removal from LACM and/or future participation bans.

Los Angeles Critical Mass ride rules:

1. Nature of the Event
Los Angeles Critical Mass is a group ride conducted at a moderate, controlled pace. The event is not a race or competition. All participants are required to operate their bicycles or other permitted devices in a manner consistent with a non‑competitive, recreational group activity.

2. Speed Regulation and Prohibited Maneuvers
Participants must maintain a safe and controlled speed at all times. The following conduct is strictly prohibited:

• Performing wheelies, stunt riding, swerving, sudden braking, or any maneuver that compromises stability or endangers others.
• Engaging in conduct intended to challenge, intimidate, or provoke vehicles, including but not limited to swerving in front of moving cars or support vehicles while performing wheelies or similar actions.

Such behavior creates a foreseeable risk of collision, bodily injury, and multi‑rider crashes and is expressly forbidden.

3. Permitted and Prohibited Vehicles
Only human‑powered devices—such as bicycles, roller blades, and skateboards—are permitted. Electric scooters, hoverboards, and e‑bikes are allowed.

Gas‑powered vehicles, including motorcycles, mopeds, mini‑bikes, and motorized bicycles, are prohibited from participating in the ride.

4. Participation of Minors
Los Angeles Critical Mass is an 18‑and‑over event. Participation is restricted to adults except in the limited circumstances described below.

Any individual under the age of 18 may participate only if they are accompanied and directly supervised by a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult guardian at all times during the event. Unaccompanied minors are strictly prohibited.

Helmets are mandatory for all participants under 18 years of age, and any minor who is not wearing a properly fitted and securely fastened helmet shall be prohibited from participating in the event. This requirement applies prior to the start of the ride and must be maintained throughout the duration of the event.

The supervising adult is solely responsible for ensuring the minor’s continuous compliance with all event rules, including but not limited to helmet use, safe riding behavior, and adherence to instructions issued by Ride Marshals, volunteers, or support vehicle operators. The supervising adult must remain in close physical proximity to the minor at all times and must take immediate corrective action if the minor engages in unsafe, negligent, disruptive, or otherwise prohibited conduct.

Event organizers reserve the right to deny participation, remove a minor or supervising adult from the event, or take any other reasonable action necessary to protect the safety of participants, volunteers, support vehicle operators, and the general public. Failure to comply with these requirements constitutes grounds for immediate removal from the ride.

5. Helmet Requirements and Safety Equipment
Helmets are mandatory for all participants under 18 years of age.

All participants, regardless of age, are strongly encouraged to use additional safety equipment, including but not limited to front and rear lights, reflective or high‑visibility apparel, and protective pads for skaters. These measures enhance visibility and reduce the risk of injury.

6. Restrictions Regarding Support Vehicles
Support vehicles, including the lead vehicle and all rear or auxiliary vehicles, have limited visibility and require unobstructed space to operate safely. The following conduct is prohibited:

• Riding in front of, beside, or in close proximity to any support vehicle.
• Entering or remaining within any support vehicle’s blind spots.
• Approaching a support vehicle in a manner that prevents the driver from maintaining clear visual contact.

If a support vehicle operator cannot see a participant, the participant is deemed to be in an unsafe and prohibited position.

7. Prohibition on Holding Onto Support Vehicles
Participants may not grab, hold onto, draft behind, or otherwise make physical contact with any support vehicle under any circumstances.

If a participant becomes fatigued, injured, or unable to continue safely, they may request transport inside a support vehicle. Ride Marshals and volunteers will facilitate assistance as needed.

8. Awareness and Conduct Toward Others
Participants must remain aware of their surroundings and exercise reasonable care to avoid collisions with cyclists, skaters, pedestrians, and other road users. Sudden or unpredictable movements that create hazards for others are prohibited.

9. Route Obstruction
Participants must not obstruct the route. Any individual who needs to stop for hydration, photographs, conversation, or any other reason must move to the far right side of the group to avoid impeding the flow of the ride.

10. Passing Protocol
Passing must occur on the left side only. Participants must clearly announce their intention to pass to avoid creating unsafe conditions.

11. Assistance and Support
Ride Marshals, volunteers, and support vehicles are available to provide assistance with mechanical issues, safety concerns, or other needs. Participants are expected to comply with all instructions issued by event personnel.

12. Traffic Compliance and Roadway Conduct
Participants must not enter oncoming traffic, ride against the flow of traffic, or engage in any conduct that violates applicable traffic laws. Riding on sidewalks is prohibited in most jurisdictions and is not permitted during the event. All participants must remain in the roadway with the group unless directed otherwise by event personnel.

To ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone, the following activities are prohibited at Los Angeles Critical Mass in accordance with metro Los Angeles and the cities we ride through: