About 18 cyclists and 7 pedestrians showed up for our Fossil Fools Day Critical Mass in Ottawa, Canada on April 1st. We met outside the city's Museum of Nature during rush hour. Giant plastic replicas of woolly mammoths stood nearby -- an apt symbol for fossil fools day, a day of action aimed at stopping burning fossil fuels before we become extinct, ourselves.

Cyclists were asked to dress bright for visibility and, after a rousing pep talk by a Critical Mass veteran in fairy-like attire, we set off down the streets of Ottawa in a whistling, chanting, technicolour mass. The reception from drivers and pedestrians was a reflection of our festive mood, with passers-by waving, smiling and, in one case, break-dancing on our approach. And we did feel like a party on wheels. Just wait until we get our boombox!

I'm glad to say the car drivers were fairly accommodating as well, giving up their lanes without complaint and occasionally waving or honking horns. This was a pleasant surprise since, like most cyclists, I face aggressive and unsafe drivers on the city's streets every day.

My feeling is that this problem and others faced by non-motorists derive from our physical marginalization - i.e., a shortage of dedicated bike lanes, pedestrian zones and hang outs. This leads to less people taking to the streets without their cars and therefore, more noise, pollution, hostility and crime. Something worth keeping in mind as the City of Ottawa spouts hot air about 'sustainability' while cutting everything from public transport to homeless shelters and endorsing police harassment of street cultures.

Despite the cold evening, about 20 people stuck it out for a mini street-party held in the city's Market area afterwards. Free vegan food and hot chocolate were served and passers-by were attracted by our hoola-hooping, human pyramid-building, chalk drawing and mingling. Overall, the day felt like a big morale-boost for those of us who like to be out of doors and want others to do the same in a safe, supportive and, hopefully, fun environment.

A sequel to this event is already in the works for later in the year when it's brighter, hotter and therefore, bigger and louder. Get out of your cars and walk... dance... paint... play music... you get the idea!