View Full Version : Last Friday of the month again
WoooHoooo. Time to ride with all your friends.
Critical Mass.
http://www.bikeblog.blogspot.com/
http://www.monkeyview.net/id/56/criticalmass2002/IMG_6347.jpg
And you gotta love this picture.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/images/2005/10/59225.jpg
Hot discussion here.
http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/10/59224.html
Dchiefransom
10-27-05, 05:42 PM
When I'm "well", I'm going to have to wander up to S.F. and do one of these. Some of those quotes are very poignant. A bit dramatic, but the point is there.
"You Hasidim are riling up the SS and making life tough for the Secular Jews of Berlin".
The Seldom Kill
10-28-05, 01:39 AM
At last month's Critical Mass in London the Public Order Branch of the Metropolitan Police issued a notice to riders that CM could not be considered a legal organisation, demonstration or event. Furthermore the police support and escort, now with push bikes rather than motorbikes, was under review. The upshot of this is that CM has now essentially been criminalised.
Attendance is likely to be high, but can we expect the police stations to be filled with witches, zombies and dragons, or will they be coming out to arrest cyclists for trying to make the world a better place?
heckflosse
10-28-05, 01:57 AM
At last month's Critical Mass in London the Public Order Branch of the Metropolitan Police issued a notice to riders that CM could not be considered a legal organisation, demonstration or event. Furthermore the police support and escort, now with push bikes rather than motorbikes, was under review. The upshot of this is that CM has now essentially been criminalised.
Attendance is likely to be high, but can we expect the police stations to be filled with witches, zombies and dragons, or will they be coming out to arrest cyclists for trying to make the world a better place?
[RANT ON]Known our Police force they'll do the least as possible, which will probably just be blocking the roads with their patrol cars whilst eating all the pork pies.
These days if you nead the Police the chances of one turning up the same day is as likely as winning the Lottery. Unless of corse they send out Chief Superintendent Les Owen :rolleyes: (sarcastic remark about Police driver speeding because they were "late for a meeting", and getting let off) [/RANT OFF]
When I'm "well", I'm going to have to wander up to S.F. and do one of these. Some of those quotes are very poignant. A bit dramatic, but the point is there.
"You Hasidim are riling up the SS and making life tough for the Secular Jews of Berlin".
I'll buy you a beer.
Make sure you bring a SF city map, in case you lose the ride, or decide to bail, and want to get back to the BART. Watch out for the trolley tracks. If some motorists is stranded in the middle of the swarm, try to facilitate them moving out of the ride by working with fellow cyclists to allow the car to turn out on a side street. Some folks just want to mindlessly block the car, but I think it's better to let them move out.
That way everyone can move smoother.
This months ride is always very colorfull. It's worth showing up at Justin Herman plaza even if you are not riding, just to see the costumes.
PhattTyre
10-28-05, 07:35 PM
The cops came out here in Eugene. This is my 3rd CM in Eugene and the first time they came out. The ride lasted about 30 minutes. If you know the area, we made it from 17th and Charnlton to Chambers and W 11th. It was a good time, but the fines here can be steep, so I hope there weren't too many tickets.
The cops pulled CM riders off their bikes and took 'em in here in Lansing last year. I can't go because I always work on Friday nights. :(
bunnywrench
10-29-05, 03:26 AM
Geez... are most folks on here anti-critical mass like the dgregory57 guy?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=149497
I think these people are missing the point of being able to have something like critical mass without having to apply/pay for permits, without always having to ask for permission and beg just to be able to exercise your freedom.
I hear that. How free are you to peaceably assemble, if you have to petition the men with guns for permission, and you have to pay them money to do it? And all because the public spaces have been appropriated by carriage owners who demand they be reserved for their sole use alone.
Dchiefransom
10-29-05, 09:47 AM
Geez... are most folks on here anti-critical mass like the dgregory57 guy?
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=149497
I think these people are missing the point of being able to have something like critical mass without having to apply/pay for permits, without always having to ask for permission and beg just to be able to exercise your freedom.
I think he got caught up in an S.F. Critical Mass before, while in his car. Someone in a car behind him laid on their horn, and some riders damaged his car. At least, somebody on here said they had that happen to them.
I take it most of these riders are unemployed?
heckflosse
11-03-05, 06:28 AM
What makes you think that?
The Seldom Kill
11-03-05, 07:17 AM
I take it most of these riders are unemployed?
Certainly not the case in London. Everytime I get round to going (about every four months or so) it seems more and more average office workers are the main make up of the crowd. It's a very middle class event these days.
I take it most of these riders are unemployed?
Why would you say that. The ride is at 6pm. I myself am an engineer own a house and have 5 bikes and a car.
The upshot of this is that CM has now essentially been criminalised.
Attendance is likely to be high, but can we expect the police stations to be filled with witches, zombies and dragons, or will they be coming out to arrest cyclists for trying to make the world a better place?
Ok, I understand that CM has now been criminalised in more than one city. But who are these cyclists that are trying to make the world a better place? I'd like to hear more about them, and less about CM. Do tell.
http://www.bikesexual.org/cm/pic/gif/crushingcars.gif
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