Krewe of Prometheus: A Bicycle Revolution Rolls into Carnival

Prometheus, the defiant Titan who stole fire from the gods and gifted it to humanity, has long stood as a symbol of rebellion, enlightenment, and the refusal to bow to unjust authority. He was punished not for evil, but for empowering the powerless—an act that echoes across time and myth into the streets of New Orleans.

In that spirit, we present the Krewe of Prometheus, rolling through the French Quarter on January 23rd, 2026. Though Critical Mass traditionally rolls on the last Friday of the month (which would be January 30th), in January 2026 we will ride a week early to honor Krewe Bohème and join in their revelry—because true revolution knows when to celebrate.

Just as Prometheus defied the gods, Critical Mass New Orleans challenges the dominance of oil and automobile corporations and the failures of our city’s infrastructure to support safe, equitable streets for cyclists. This parade is a call to action and a celebration of resistance.

We invite all bicycle groups in New Orleans to join us. Represent your bicycle organization with flags, signs, and a unique, bike-related throw—no plastic beads here. Think spoke cards, deblumns, stickers, lapel pins, creative cards with your group’s logo and message, or a bicycle related art piece. If possible, we also encourage individual bicycle organizations to create a bicycle float, drawn of course by a bicycle or tricycle. This would be a good touch, but is by no means a requirement. Let’s show the city that a better future is possible—and it rides on two wheels.

Join the Vélorution. Bring the Fire. Laissez les bons temps rouler. 🔥🚴‍♀️