{"id":6503,"date":"2026-02-05T05:38:58","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T05:38:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/?p=6503"},"modified":"2026-05-04T22:28:52","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T22:28:52","slug":"this-is-critical-mass-february-2026-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/la-criticalmass.org\/this-is-critical-mass-february-2026-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"This is Critical Mass: February 2026 Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Hello everyone,<\/strong>

This month\u2019s newsletter highlights the strength of our movement and the impact we create when we show up together.<\/strong> From thousands of riders reclaiming the streets in January to our leadership continuing to advocate in civic spaces throughout 2026, this issue captures the momentum we\u2019re carrying into the new year. Inside, you\u2019ll find a recap of last month\u2019s ride, appreciation for our partners, and details about our February giveaways \u2014 all rooted in our shared commitment to building safer, more equitable streets.

I\u2019m deeply proud of what we continue to grow together, and I wanted to share my reflections and updates from this past month. Please read below for everything I\u2019ve written for this issue. I hope it informs, inspires, and keeps us moving forward as one community.

With love and momentum,<\/strong>

President & CEO,
Lisa Lundie
Los Angeles Critical Mass<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A New Year, A New Momentum<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles Critical Mass enters 2026 with the same spirit that carried us through every ride of 2025 \u2014 community, joy, and a resistance defined by visibility. Our resistance isn\u2019t about conflict; it\u2019s about refusing to disappear, refusing to be silent, and claiming our right to move safely through the cities we call home.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year\u2019s rides brought thousands together each month, creating a rolling celebration of visibility, solidarity, and the simple power of showing up on two wheels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As we step into a new year, we carry that energy forward \u2014 stronger, louder, and more united than ever.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reflecting on 2025<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

The 2025 ride season was unforgettable.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We saw record-breaking attendance, new riders joining from every corner of Los Angeles and surrounding counties, and a growing coalition of families, commuters, students, organizers, and long\u2011time LACM bike crews\/ clubs. Each month brought its own story \u2014 from summer night rides that lit up the city to our December festival of lights that closed out the year with warmth and community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These rides weren\u2019t just events. They were reminders of what happens when thousands of people reclaim the streets together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ:<\/strong> LA Critical Mass Kicks Off the Year With Thousands Riding to UCLA for the First Time in Nearly 15 Years<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Her smile captures the spirit of a ride that keeps growing every month \u2014 LA Critical Mass<\/strong> brings together participants from every corner of LA, neighboring counties, out of state, and far beyond globally.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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January 2026 Ride Recap<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our first ride of the year<\/a> was nothing short of outstanding.

From the moment the group rolled out, the streets felt alive \u2014 a river of cyclists stretching block after block, filling entire intersections with color, motion, and pure momentum. Thousands of riders showed up for the kickoff to 2026, making this one of the largest January rides in LACM history.

You could feel the energy before we even started moving. New riders clipped in with nervous excitement, long\u2011time crews reunited with hugs and laughter, and entire groups arrived together \u2014 families, college squads, workplace teams, neighborhood crews \u2014 all ready to set the tone for the year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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With thousands joining last month\u2019s ride<\/strong>, the energy was undeniable \u2014 a massive kickoff that set the tone for a year of growth, connection, and citywide visibility for LA Critical Mass<\/strong>.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Masses of riders filled the streets last month<\/strong>, transforming the night into a moving festival of bikes, music, and shared purpose. The scale of the turnout set a defining tone for the year ahead, proving that LA Critical Mass<\/strong> continues to grow in reach, visibility, and community power.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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January Community Action: Partnering with SAFE<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Last month, we were honored to stand alongside Streets Are For Everyone (SAFE)<\/a> \u2014 one of Los Angeles\u2019 most dedicated and impactful street\u2011safety organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Together, we supported their January 2026 efforts to honor lives lost to traffic violence and to demand real, systemic change from city leadership. Our partnership reflects a shared mission: to build a city where no one has to fear moving through their own streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

From amplifying their message to showing up in solidarity, LACM riders helped strengthen a movement that stretches far beyond a single event. We\u2019re proud to continue building this alliance throughout 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

READ:<\/strong> Dying-in Los Angeles 2026: A Day of Mourning, Solidarity, and Unignorable Truths<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Last month\u2019s Dying in the Streets<\/strong> brought advocates together in a solemn call for safer roads. LA Critical Mass partnered with SAFE<\/strong> to support the action, standing in solidarity with families, survivors, and community members demanding real accountability in Los Angeles.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Our Commitment to Advocacy<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Los Angeles Critical Mass is more than a monthly ride <\/strong>\u2014 we\u2019re a growing movement pushing for safer streets throughout Los Angeles and neighboring cities. Every month, riders from across the region come together to reclaim space, build community, and make our presence impossible to ignore. What started as a simple group ride has evolved into a powerful force for visibility, connection, and collective action \u2014 and each ride strengthens the momentum for safer, more equitable streets for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We extend a heartfelt thank\u2011you to CalBike<\/a> for their continued leadership and statewide advocacy. Their work strengthens every local effort, including ours, and we\u2019re proud to stand alongside them \u2014 and alongside SAFE<\/a> (Streets Are For Everyone) \u2014 in pushing for safer, more equitable streets for all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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LACM Leadership: Showing Up for Safer Streets<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Our senior leadership team is preparing to attend Los Angeles City Council meetings<\/a> throughout 2026, along with transportation committee hearings and public forums centered on street safety, mobility justice, and cyclist visibility. We want city leaders to understand that cyclists are not invisible. We are here, we are organized, and we are committed to advocating for safer, more equitable streets across Los Angeles.

By showing up in these spaces, we strengthen our relationships with city departments and ensure that the needs of our cyclists are represented in every conversation about transportation and public space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Building New Partnerships for 2026<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

We are actively in talks with several nonprofits that serve and uplift our communities \u2014 from mental\u2011wellness organizations to suicide\u2011prevention advocates to groups fighting for safer streets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of these nonprofits ride with us every month as part of the largest community bicycle ride in the USA, standing shoulder\u2011to\u2011shoulder with our participants and sharing in the movement we\u2019re building together.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We\u2019ll be working with these organizations throughout the year and will keep you updated on our shared efforts and future collaborations<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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February Giveaway: A New KHS XC Mountain Bike + Cash Prizes<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

To kick off 2026 with excitement, gratitude, and a spirit of giving back, we\u2019re thrilled to announce this month\u2019s giveaways. These incentives aren\u2019t just prizes \u2014 they\u2019re our way of showing our riders that we truly appreciate them and that we\u2019re committed to reinvesting into the very community that keeps this movement alive.

This month, participants will have the chance to win:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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