Break The Gridlock!

History

Break the Gridlock was formed in early 2000 as a way to organize the energy behind the Chicago Critical Mass rides. Critical Mass is, by its nature, a disorganization, so Break the Gridlock was formed to provide an outlet for peoples' frustration with the ubiquity of private automobiles in the urban environment. The organizational goal was to provide a name for those who identified themselves as "in the movement" to rally around.

Break the Gridlock helped make its early name by putting on several high-profile conferences focusing on aspects of the Car Culture reduction movement. These conferences demonstrated that Chicagoans are ready for a change in direction away from the status quo of "cars cars cars, 24 hours a day". These conferences brought together people engaged in the field of "right transportation" advocacy and those that interested in becoming more active. Additionally, BTG initiated and became involved in coalitions whose goals covered a range of issues.

Since its inception, BTG has changed its focus from direct advocacy to the support of existing Grass Roots groups and individuals.

Community

People involved with Break The Gridlock and its Member Organizations often talk about 'the community'. This often refers to those people who got together over the CM rides. However, 'the community' also includes people who are interested in pedestrian issues; transit issues; and the other, non-transit-related effects of of having an auto-dominated infastructure, like health issues). These are the people that have come together to form the groups that Break The Gridlock supports.

People Involved

People are involved with Break the Gridlock on two levels.

Because of Break The Gridlock's role as an umbrella organization, those that identify with groups that BTG Member Organizations have an incidental relationship with Break the Gridlock itself.

Additionally, Break the Gridlock is itself a group with members. These members are interested not only in BTG's mission of building said umbrella organization; but also in advocating for a move towards "right transportation".