The system of automobility and the reappropriation of the urban public space

The paper examines the reappropriation of urban public space acted out by Critical Mass Bologna. In the first part, it deals with the formation and reproduction of the ‘system of automobility’ and its effects on public space. Then it will be argued that Critical Mass stands out as the expression of the ‘right to the city’, which draws on some principles of the situationist movement and stems from cities with a very high car dependency rate. In addition, Critical Mass emerges as a ‘non-public public’, which makes itself visible, with the aim of legitimating its presence into the public sphere. Finally, it will be stressed that some of the dynamics in the process of public space reappropriation do not match the assumptions underlying Critical Mass’ practice. For instance, the radical nature of the Mass is not shared by the majority of participants, so the active involvement of all cyclists does not always has a actual counterpart. In the last part, two initiatives developed from Critical Mass representing two different types of Critical Mass audience will be examined: Ciclofficina Popolare AmpioRaggio and #Salvaiciclisti campaign. The focus allows us to understand the different representations that sustain these practices and their relationship. In particular, it will be argued that the great variety within the audience is the emblem of the plural character of the public sphere and that it cannot be actually reconnected to any specific form of urban public space reappropriation. As a result, in order to transform the ‘automobile’ urban public space, the key issue is to develop a common language to smooth the way for communication in the public arena