VOLUNTEER

Be a part of transforming new orleans into a bicycle city—Volunteer with one of our working groups!

Core Working Groups of Critical Mass Nola

1. Mass Mobilization Committee

Purpose: Plans and executes monthly rides. Chooses major streets in different parts of the city and determines the endpoint of each ride (often a local bar or community space).

Roles:

• Lead Rider – Guides the group from the front.

• Music Trailer Operator – Rides up front with the lead rider, providing music.

• Corkers – Designated riders on the right and left of the mass who block intersections and ensure the group’s safety.

• Safety & Repair Crew – Rides in the rear to assist with breakdowns or mechanical issues.

• Safety Net Riders – Ensure no one is left behind; sweep the back of the ride.

2. Art & Messaging Committee

Purpose: Designs and disseminates all visual media and messaging to promote bike infrastructure and urban justice. Manages the public-facing identity of the movement.

Key Functions:

• Design and create flyers, posters, banners, brochures, cards, and bookmarks.

• Produce bold political artwork for print and digital distribution.

• Create street visuals such as stencils, chalk messages, and other creative ways to message.

• Identify vendors to produce flags, signs, and other materials.

• Contribute to social media accounts and shape our public narrative.

• Recruit and support:

• Photographers – Capture portraits and ride images for promotion.

• Videographers – Create content for YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

3. Outreach & Communications Committee

Purpose: Builds public awareness and recruits riders by distributing materials, establishing partnerships, and managing media presence.

Key Functions:

• Post flyers and distribute card displays at cafes, restaurants, bike shops, and community centers.

• Establish relationships with business owners and community leaders for flyer/card display permissions.

• Draft and distribute press releases for monthly rides, ghost bike events, and public actions.

• Organize and operate information tables at community, social justice, and bike-related events. Responsible for managing tabling materials: tent, table, banner, literature, and merch.

4. Political Education & Action Committee

Purpose: Deepens the movement’s political consciousness and advances strategic campaigns for structural change in transportation policy.

Key Activities:

• Organize reading groups, teach-ins, and study circles on topics such as transportation justice, radical urbanism, and revolutionary history.

• Advocate for:

• A citywide network of protected bike lanes

• Adequate bike parking at businesses and public spaces

• Coordinate campaigns, petitions, and actions around transportation justice.

• Educate members about:

• Federal, state, and local budgets—especially allocations for bicycle infrastructure

• Identify city departments and councilmembers responsible for bike infrastructure

• Organize delegations to meet with public officials and demand action.

• Partner with Schools and universities to promote bike education and on-campus coalitions

• Launch a citywide media campaign promoting cyclist rights and the importance of separated bike lanes.

• Advocate for the Plan Vieux Carré.

• Push for the inclusion of cyclist rights in the DMV curriculum.

• Build an academic engagement network with local professors.

5. Movement Alliance Committee

Purpose: Builds solidarity between Critical Mass Nola and other social justice movements across New Orleans.

Key Responsibilities:

• Forge connections with struggles for:

• Environmental justice

• Workers’ and labor rights

• Transportation justice

• Indigenous and racial justice

• Anti-imperial and anti-colonial causes

• Identify and plan collaborations for our Second Monday Community Engagement Ride.

• Attend and support the protests, marches, and actions of our allies—and represent our cause with literature and presence.

• Distribute flyers like “Bikes Not Bombs” showing federal budget priorities (developed in coordination with the Political Education Committee).

• Keep Critical Mass Nola plugged into both grassroots resistance and policy-level struggles.

6. Fundraising & Finance Committee

Purpose: Raise funds to power Critical Mass’ political messaging, advocacy campaigns, infrastructure demands, and public actions.
Note: All proceeds go directly to the movement — no salaries, no personal profit.

Key Responsibilities:

• Organize Benefit Parties & Events

• Organize Community Meals and Seafood Boils

• Merchandise Sales

• Art Auctions

• Financial Oversight and Accountability

  
  * Critical Mass is not and does not seek to be a non-profit organization. Should a volunteer desire to contribute financially to Critical Mass Nola, donations are not tax deductible.

Our committees communicate via the Signal group chat app. Please download the app and include your phone number on the contact form below. In the subject section let us know what committee you’re interested in volunteering on. Thanks!