Singlespeed & Fixed Gear - Cop versus Bike

http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/07/28/cop-assaults-critical-mass-rider-charges-filed-against-cyclist/

Did anyone see this?? :mad:


Discuss....

Its been posted already but deserves more coverage.

wow. I really hope the cop doesn't get away with that.

That's just wrong. I hope the biker is ok and that the cop will be punished besides "desk work".

I was there, 2 riders ahead of the kid that got crushed in the video. There were barely 100 people in the ride and the 2 cops were standing there in the middle of the road completely silent. It was a totally peaceful, quiet by CM standards, ride that barely took a minute to get through each intersection. No one was harassing motorists. Tandem-riders were yelling "Happy Friday!" and getting cheers from people on the street. Then this happens. I was totally oblivious during the ride and actually only saw 2 scooter cops at the very beginning. I thought it was pretty tame and that no one even got pinched. Flip on the tele and whaddya know...

Rookie cop + ex-hs football star mentality + terrorist cyclist = "chance to show my coaches I can still hit like I did in high-school! Watch me drop my hips!!"

the road forum thread about this vid CRUSHES ours.

I just read this in the newspaper, that's scary to see the video though, it makes it look a lot worse.
Not wearing a helmet and pushed right into the curb? Thank god it wasn't a lot worse.

the road forum thread about this vid CRUSHES ours.

From the road forum:


The cop did what everyone else felt like doing. Of course in the You Tube age it isn't too smart, but I'd buy the man a beer.



Woot woot nice take down hahahahaha...
I am sure the idiot did something to deserve it.....

You can see by the video that the police were simply watching making sure no one got out of line. The officer just going over to take someone down doesn't make sense. Do we know if the rider was charged with anything? I tend to give the benifit of the doubt to the officer in this instance. Critical mass riders can be complete idiots sometimes..


Sorry guys, I have no love for CM'ers. They are always filled with losers who are only out to cause trouble, and violate the rights of everyone elses free travel. CM should be flat out banned. It's not a protest. It's a mob. It serves no purpose.


That was awesome! I wish that would happen more.


I've had friends who were cops and I try to always give them their due. All you people who "hate cops this or that" would be screamin' for one if you needed one. And you know what - even if they knew you'd bad mouthed them most would still run head first into a load of **** to help your sorry @ss if you needed it.

Even so - out of context - what the cop did in this case looks like it was out of line. As others have mentioned though there might've been stuff going on off camera that warranted the behaviour. Like I said, critical massers are idiots.

I'd like to do an anti critical mass ride if I could figure out how that'd work... ;)


judging by the responses to my original post i'd say that there are more idiots who read this message board than attend critical mass rallies.


Christ, what a bunch of ass-holes.

http://www.yahoo.com/s/924881

From the road forum:

Christ, what a bunch of ass-holes.

I hope you're not taking a handful of d0uche y responses out of the 7 pages of outrage to call roadies a-holes...

Of course not, but it is very telling.

Let's not jump to conclusions here... we've all had our weak moments in life. This cop, I can completely sympathize with the man. A fine gentleman no doubt, deemed respectable and responsible enough by society to uphold our values, morals and most importantly our laws. Being a cop is a difficult job... he has to stand around watching people enjoying themselves while he's contemplating... probably either astrophysics or fundamental ontology... and bam... along comes this smart ass cyclist with beautiful eyes and hair just teasing with his flirty smile and yelps of joy... luring him in with his fluid movements of the body and smooth skin that is absolutely irresistible.

But Dammit... this wonderful officer was right on the verge of a magnificent intellectual breakthrough and this cyclist ruined his concentration... so... he had to pay the price for his beauty and flirtatious ways. This officer is entirely vindicated in my eyes... in fact, he deserves an honorary medal.

**** the road forum

Yeah, they suck but, like me, we should all troll that thread, it drives them bananas ;)

I think I should post over there mroe often. I mean, if I can get SSFG as incensed as I do, I wonder what kind of damage I could do in the road forum.

From the road forum:














Christ, what a bunch of ass-holes.



CHERRY PICKER!!!

I hope you're not taking a handful of d0uche y responses out of the 7 pages of outrage to call roadies a-holes...

He is.

i donno...i dont know much about these critical mass rides but from what I can tell, they're full of stupid **** ups who don't know the laws about cycling on the street...just what they hear from their idiot friends.


I'm sure the guy did something wrong, and the cop was reacting. I really doubt it was just random.

i donno...i dont know much about these critical mass rides but from what I can tell, they're full of stupid **** ups who don't know the laws about cycling on the street...just what they hear from their idiot friends.


I'm sure the guy did something wrong, and the cop was reacting. I really doubt it was just random.

Yeah they always take the cop's gun and badge away when they acted responsibly.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/nyregion/29critical.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

Oh and he lied in the papers he filed against the cyclist saying he swerved towards him. To me, it looks like the cyclist was swerving away from him.

You'd think that the NYPD would be more sensitive toward these sort of things after that whole snafu between the now-former chief of police and the CM rider a few years back....

http://theerant.yuku.com/topic/7789/t/Video-shows-NYPD-cop-assaulting-cyclist.html

that's a thread from a cop forum. fu ckin' scary shi t.

Yeah they always take the cop's gun and badge away when they acted responsibly.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/29/nyregion/29critical.html?_r=1&ref=todayspaper&oref=slogin

Oh and he lied in the papers he filed against the cyclist saying he swerved towards him. To me, it looks like the cyclist was swerving away from him.

:rolleyes:

i never said the cop was acting responsibly.

I simply stated that I doubt that the officer's act of violence was completely unprovoked. Lets be realistic; how often is it that YOU act out violently at random, in front of hoards of witnesses?

http://theerant.yuku.com/topic/7789/t/Video-shows-NYPD-cop-assaulting-cyclist.html

that's a thread from a cop forum. fu ckin' scary shi t.

Wow.. Just wow....

That ^^^ is an interesting insight into the mind of the police. It is indeed really mother****ing scary that any police think this way:

"Watch the video carefully. He hears something, turns around, focuses on the biker, then BA BOOM. Good shyt. Old school take down."

"I'll applaud ANY cop of ANY color who knocks one of these lib bike riding ****heads out of the game the way this cop did... and I'll knock the black and hispanic ones who drive drunk and leave the scene after injuring on duty cops, like in the 52, and those who try to hide their baby daddies bullet ridden cars after he shot a cop."

I'm not a supporter of CM at all but if this cop did just randomly pick this guy and barrel into him for no reason, then he's a ****** and should be kicked off the force. But honestly why would a cop just target someone like that with all those people around? I dunno, doesn't sound right. What sounds more logical to me is that the CM rider was doing something that we didn't see on tape and the cop reacted.

Who knows but I think a lot of people are overreacting when they don't know the full story. I've ever read people calling all cops pigs because of this one incident. I know a few cops and some are family members and they're all great people and always uphold the law. To label all cops because of the actions of a select few is pretty sad. I also don't understand the mentality people have that cops are always the bad guys. I saw this a lot when I use to skateboard and it seems like it's pretty popular in the fixed community as well. Almost seems like people do it because it's the cool thing to do which is very weird.

Reading that BB just reinforces my opinion that 95% of cops are meathead *******s more interested in macho posturing and "heroics" than the enforcement of justice and the maintenance of law and order. Scary ****.

That ^^^ is an interesting insight into the mind of the police. It is indeed really mother****ing scary that any police think this way:

"Watch the video carefully. He hears something, turns around, focuses on the biker, then BA BOOM. Good shyt. Old school take down."

"I'll applaud ANY cop of ANY color who knocks one of these lib bike riding ****heads out of the game the way this cop did... and I'll knock the black and hispanic ones who drive drunk and leave the scene after injuring on duty cops, like in the 52, and those who try to hide their baby daddies bullet ridden cars after he shot a cop."

The responses are kind of disturbing but don't you think this is more a reflection of CMs reputation with law enforcement than just a bunch of crazy cops who like to plow people over for no reason?

Reading that BB just reinforces my opinion that 95% of cops are meathead *******s more interested in macho posturing and "heroics" than the enforcement of justice and the maintenance of law and order. Scary ****.

That is so far from the truth.

That is so far from the truth.

There is a degree of hyperbole implicit in my statement.

But having been on the receiving end of unfounded police attention before, this is how I feel generally.

I'm not a supporter of CM at all but if this cop did just randomly pick this guy and barrel into him for no reason, then he's a ****** and should be kicked off the force. But honestly why would a cop just target someone like that with all those people around? I dunno, doesn't sound right. What sounds more logical to me is that the CM rider was doing something that we didn't see on tape and the cop reacted.

Who knows but I think a lot of people are overreacting when they don't know the full story. I've ever read people calling all cops pigs because of this one incident. I know a few cops and some are family members and they're all great people and always uphold the law. To label all cops because of the actions of a select few is pretty sad. I also don't understand the mentality people have that cops are always the bad guys. I saw this a lot when I use to skateboard and it seems like it's pretty popular in the fixed community as well. Almost seems like people do it because it's the cool thing to do which is very weird.

Have you even followed the story till now? The police report, THE POLICE REPORT!! says nothing about any activity done 'off tape'. Find it and read it before coming to the defense of the cop here.

I hear ya. I've been through that stuff as well. There are ****ty cops, it happens, but I think what a lot of people forget is how hard it is to be a cop. They have so many responsibilities and a lot of times they have to make tough decisions that won't make a lot of people happy. Oh and they also risk their lives ever time they put on a uniform. I can never imagine myself being a cop. I would go nuts from the stress and anxiety.

I hear ya. I've been through that stuff as well. There are ****ty cops, it happens, but I think what a lot of people forget is how hard it is to be a cop. They have so many responsibilities and a lot of times they have to make tough decisions that won't make a lot of people happy. Oh and they also risk their lives ever time they put on a uniform. I can never imagine myself being a cop. I would go nuts from the stress and anxiety.

That's true, and I for one will always give the cops the benefit of the doubt... and did in this case when only the video was out there for evidence. But since then things have come to light to show conclusively that in this case, this cop simply acted maliciously...and needs to be fired at a minimum.

Have you even followed the story till now? The police report, THE POLICE REPORT!! says nothing about any activity done 'off tape'. Find it and read it before coming to the defense of the cop here.

I have been following it and I know the cop even made false statements about the incident. I'm not defending this guy at all, I'm just saying that it seems really really weird that he would just hit a random cyclist like that. Obviously an investigation is being done and I'm going to wait until it's completed and all the facts are out before I crucify this guy. That's all.

That's true, and I for one will always give the cops the benefit of the doubt... and did in this case when only the video was out there for evidence. But since then things have come to light to show conclusively that in this case, this cop simply acted maliciously...and needs to be fired at a minimum.

If he did then I agree with you. He should probably even get some psychiatric help as well.

I have been following it and I know the cop even made false statements about the incident. I'm not defending this guy at all, I'm just saying that it seems really really weird that he would just hit a random cyclist like that. Obviously an investigation is being done and I'm going to wait until it's completed and all the facts are out before I crucify this guy. That's all.

Yeah... maybe cops wouldn't have such a crappy job if they weren't such *******s in the first place. If they can't handle the stress of the job maybe they should do something else... or maybe they just wanted to be bullies in the first place. F* the po-lice.

tons of police officers CHOOSE to be cops.


In fact, in most decent cities, you have to be a college graduate to become a police officer. At least that's how it is in my county.

tons of police officers CHOOSE to be cops.


In fact, in most decent cities, you have to be a college graduate to become a police officer. At least that's how it is in my county.

And in MOST cases MOST cops are decent people and uphold their job to serve the public. But there are plenty of rotten ones amongst them.

I have a cousin who is a New Orleans Police officer. From what I gather, most cops had a choice in life: either continue on the current path and become a low life criminal, or join up as a cop. Most choose the second. But it means in many cases, cops are but one step removed from the criminals they are doing battle with. Kind of scary.

F**k the Police.

what happens to a cop in jail?

F**k the Police.

Until someone steals your bike (or worse) and you demand justice :rolleyes:

I have plenty of respect for cops. It must be a very difficult job.

But what the cop did in that video was completely uncalled for. Unless the cyclist had just committed a serious crime, there is no justification for that kind of force. The cyclist could have easily been seriously injured and the cop could have ended up in the hospital as well. Terrible judgment on the cops part, and one thing a cop needs is decent judgment.

Until someone steals your bike (or worse) and you demand justice :rolleyes:

Justice yes, in that case I think I would be entitled to, for many reasons, but what goes on in that video doesn't really earn them my respect, now does it?

And the way he pushed that dude, it was probably good luck that no one else got injured on the sidewalk.

Justice yes, in that case I think I would be entitled to, for many reasons, but what goes on in that video doesn't really earn them my respect, now does it?
Nor does any of the good ol' boy aggressive ranting about "******* ****head cyclists" on the cop BB, for that matter.

Justice yes, in that case I think I would be entitled to, for many reasons, but what goes on in that video doesn't really earn them my respect, now does it?

And the way he pushed that dude, it was probably good luck that no one else got injured on the sidewalk.

Agreed 100%.

what happens to a cop in jail?

Its called "Desk Duty" and they're released early for good behavior. This cop should lose his badge for doing this. It was a premeditated attack on a cyclist to enforce their presence to the riders so they don't act up or stop their CM rides entirely. Fear tactics never work, they just piss people off even more to the point of more protests.

:rolleyes:

i never said the cop was acting responsibly.

I simply stated that I doubt that the officer's act of violence was completely unprovoked. Lets be realistic; how often is it that YOU act out violently at random, in front of hoards of witnesses?

Never. Then again, I never decided to be a cop and I never would. Cause well, it takes a certain type, namely:
http://theerant.yuku.com/topic/7789/t/Video-shows-NYPD-cop-assaulting-cyclist.html


I hear ya. I've been through that stuff as well. There are ****ty cops, it happens, but I think what a lot of people forget is how hard it is to be a cop. They have so many responsibilities and a lot of times they have to make tough decisions that won't make a lot of people happy. Oh and they also risk their lives ever time they put on a uniform. I can never imagine myself being a cop. I would go nuts from the stress and anxiety.

Again, people chose to be cops. If you chose a profession that you know comes with certain risks, don't go pleading for sympathy after the fact saying "well, it's a stressful job, I put up with a lot of crap so it's ok if I bust out every now and then and assault a guy cause well, I'm stressed out". Sorry, that's just nonsense. You chose it, you deal with it.



Until someone steals your bike (or worse) and you demand justice :rolleyes:

Right, then they do nothing about it for ten years.
http://www.bikingtoronto.com/2008/07/toronto-police-bust-bike-thief-and.html
That store was in operation forever! Everyone that rides a bicycle downtown knows that the place is full of stolen bikes. Why was nothing done sooner?
Oh wait, I know .. because the cops don't give a crap. Because cyclists are a pain in the ass to your average police officer.

I have needed the police a few times in my life. They usually proved far less helpful than I hoped they would be. More often than that though, I have been bullied by police officers.
Bullying is not policing.

I really wish that being a police officer was indeed a noble persuit, the way I thought of it as a child. I wish that cops were paid more, I wish that a university degree in some kind of humanities was a requirement but alas it is not.
I also have cop friends. And like my other friends, they are colourful characters who are not always on the right side of the law or ethics. I have heard some things from my cop friends that would make you shudder.

That ^^^ is an interesting insight into the mind of the police. It is indeed really mother****ing scary that any police think this way:

"Watch the video carefully. He hears something, turns around, focuses on the biker, then BA BOOM. Good shyt. Old school take down."

"I'll applaud ANY cop of ANY color who knocks one of these lib bike riding ****heads out of the game the way this cop did... and I'll knock the black and hispanic ones who drive drunk and leave the scene after injuring on duty cops, like in the 52, and those who try to hide their baby daddies bullet ridden cars after he shot a cop."

Its the NYPD; lowest paid and easiest academy to get into. Half those cops wouldn't be cops anywhere else.

regarding the cop message board:

among police officers, there is a very strong incentive to stand up for each other. while cyclists have this alliance to each other, primarily motivated by the similar dangers and obstacles we face while commuting/training, cops have this mentality to a much stronger extent. it is partly a matter of survival, part history, and part community just like us. the point is, when something like this happens, you will see a lot of cops defend the guy, even when it is obvious that it is wrong. this reduces credibility of police in the eyes of the public.

it is indeed unfortunate that the whole "serves em right crowd" and the police crowd unite on so many issues. bikers, drivers, or whoever it is that is offending the cop get pummeled, tased, tackled, etc. because of this desire to stand up for each other. usually it is the case of a bad apple, but instead of casting out the offending party, all cops seem to stand up for the guy no matter the situation. as such, more and more becomes acceptable (see bad apple metaphor). until this mentality breaks, you are not going to see a lot of cops support the victims when a cop does something wrong. sad but true.

regarding the cop message board:

among police officers, there is a very strong incentive to stand up for each other.

I agree, and since this cop is just 3 weeks out of the academy and a 3rd generation cop for the city he will probably will be kept on desk duty to this blows over unless enough outrage is made. I bet, IF he gets to go back on the streets again, there will be other conduct issues with him. He was raised by a cop and I bet that he was fed to believe the crap that the cop message board has all over it.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=Oxb4JhXesiI

It scary to watch how bad are cops this days....I came across with this video on youtube. F@$king crazy...I hope CM wont turn into this.