Gothamist: Al Sharpton Rides with Critical Mass Tonight

BINGORAMAIREZ

Sat, 31 May 2008 15:14:41 -0500

Rev. Sharpton is leading the way for all of us to follow, we cant allow any racists to call him something he is not. Go to hell if you dont like it. He will put these racist cops in federal jail soon.

garbnzgh

Sat, 31 May 2008 07:49:12 -0500

so what happened on the ride?

MFer

Sat, 31 May 2008 00:37:00 -0500

Jesus H Christ on a bike. Al Sharpton is a fatso. He needs to be taking spinning classes. "You go girls!"

eyekantspel

Fri, 30 May 2008 18:41:08 -0500

amen debra88, you're right on the money. Ride your bike if you want to, but the people who want to make it into some kind of noble cause should get a life. It doesn't take a genius to look at our crowded city streets -- full of cars, taxis, buses, delivery vehicles, garbage trucks, emergency vehicles, pedestrians, baby strollers, potholes -- and realize that it isn't the ideal spot for riding a bike. It's dangerous for everyone concerned. On top of that, a LOT of cyclists completely ignore the rules of the road, run red lights, etc., just adding to the problem. It's a rare day when I see someone riding a bike, with a helmet, reflectors, a night at light, and obeying traffic rules. Parks are a different story-- certainly safer and more pleasant for the cyclist, although there are still those who show no consideration for pedestrians/joggers/others.

Snoopy

Fri, 30 May 2008 18:29:42 -0500

Weren't the Beach Boyz a biker's band?

sonyactivision

Fri, 30 May 2008 18:11:50 -0500

debra88, please name one city anywhere on this earth that was "designed for bikes". I can think of a few thatr are more bike-friendly, but none that were intended for bicylists. Maybe Phnom Penh. So what are you waiting for? Cambodia needs you!

Spiritof76

Fri, 30 May 2008 17:40:46 -0500

I'm talking about the idiots riding around (down the wrong way of streets), going 40MPH down Park Ave without helmets. Please forgive me if I'm ill-informed, not hatin' on anyone just callin' it like I see it. You need glasses if that's how you see it. 40mph? Man alive, somebody call the US Olympic Committee! Lance Armstrong couldn't do 40mph on the flats, even for a few seconds, unless maybe if he had a gale-force tailwind. Something tells me your idea of bicycling is cruising at 7mph on a coaster-brake one-speed with a wicker basket on the front. Move over, granny!

jaja007

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:37:23 -0500

Babyhitler, where's my fucking food??? I'm still waiting, bitch.

jaja007

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:33:58 -0500

One asshole (Sharpton) joins a bunch of other assholes (Critical Mass). They can roam the city complaining about all the "harrassment" from the police. I hope a semi driven by a meth'ed up toothless trucker rides into them and smears a red bloody mess on our roads tonight. That would be lovely. Please, non-existant Jesus - make it happen.

jenspellnogood

Fri, 30 May 2008 16:03:19 -0500

well that does it, cm is officially dead forever. that fat fuck racist rabble rousing criminal is the last thing i want trying to save cm.

sinisterteashop

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:56:25 -0500

The real story is that Sharpton's black constituency is shrinking and he needs more bodies.

JacqueMehoff

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:26:57 -0500

only a matter of time debra88, I was harassed by the fuzz when I was 14. Bicycling was so much more simpler in the 80's. when there were much more messengers than there are now. and, I don't think they could go 40mph. then or now.

jaja007

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:26:43 -0500

Where's Al Sharpton.. oh wait....

Steven

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:21:28 -0500

Do Sharpton and Nicole have something going on between them? It seems like those two are everywhere together.

yoplay

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:20:49 -0500

critical mass ain't about hipsters... hipsters don't sweat or activate. They waste away and wear eighties white framed sunglasses. It's about power in numbers and why we shouldn't just sit around and accept the lot we've been given. whether it be poverty, gentrification, race, and yes even commuting rights. Maybe I'm giving it more power than it has, but ANYTHING that goes against the rules and isn't hurting anyone, but shining light on society BS, can be a beautiful thing and needs to be encouraged. Apathy hurts everyone, but the lawmakers.

blablanyc

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:17:32 -0500

In 2005 New York Times reporter Colin Moynihan was arrested when covering a Critical Mass rally. When you look at the Villager photo closely you can see his press credential hanging from around his neck. Dumb cops. http://www.thevillager.com/villager_105/criticalmasstriesnew.html

debra88

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:15:49 -0500

Miss Mess, I actually agree with you for the most part, but having a rally with Sharpton? Also, it's called lack of space/$ to update the street infrastructure. Until the city allocates money to that in the budget (as opposed to painting more lanes), you won't see a change. Until then, whining about how bicyclists are "Abused and have no rights" with Sharpton, will that actually accomplish anything? I salute people that want change, but instead of banging your drum in the park solicit some private corporations for funding. Who's the moron now?

rtd2101

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:15:05 -0500

Where are all the Sharpton bashers? C'mon guys, this one is almost too easy for you...or are all the potential comments coming too fast, clogging your brain like a sewage pipe in a downpour?

debra88

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:09:10 -0500

that's great they come from 'all walks of life'. As a bicyclist, I've never been harrassed by the NYPD, and I'm pretty sure the majority of bicyclists, if they follow the laws here in NYC, probably aren't harrassed either. Forgive me if I'm wrong, just going by my own experience. Also, Dr. Zippy, only stopped cause breathing car exhaust and other bicyclists are more of a danger here then cars. I'm talking about the idiots riding around (down the wrong way of streets), going 40MPH down Park Ave without helmets. Please forgive me if I'm ill-informed, not hatin' on anyone just callin' it like I see it.

NYer

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:07:21 -0500

debra88 = clueless moron

Snoopy

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:07:12 -0500

When is Al going to give up with a story that is in the past tense? If he wants past tense stories why isn't he siding with Tawana Brawley , once known as Maryam Muhammad and now going by the name of Tawana Thompson. Is the pedicab too small for his former beau?

miss mess

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:04:46 -0500

debra88, the only thing that's embarrassing is your complete lack of information about the history of abuse and yes, constitutional violations, by the NYPD against all bike riders - not just those riding critical mass. also, being okay with the fact that city is "NOT DESIGNED" for bikes shows what a complete moron you are. welcome to the 21st century. infrastructures can, and ought to, be updated to accommodate fuel-free transit. ps i normally don't flame or make pointed remarks against other posters, but this one crossed the line for me.

babyhitler

Fri, 30 May 2008 15:00:41 -0500

#4- don't you realize everyone's a dick in NY? the police harrassers are dicks, the whiny harrassed are dicks, the whiny chick who writes about whiny fixie douchebags complaining about police harrassers, she's a dick. even me.

plk779

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:59:34 -0500

FYI debra, the constitution is designed to protect everyone.. even the whiniest hipsters. Wrongful arrest is a problem no matter who it happens to.

dr zippy

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:59:10 -0500

The Critical Mass riders come from all walks of life, they aren't limited to "hipsters". You stopped commuting by bike because you found other bicyclists have big egos???

debra88

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:54:14 -0500

I'm sorry, but a bunch of hipsters riding around claiming they're "harrassed" by the NYPD? This is a joke right? It's not only embarrassing but who speaks for the people in under-priveledged hoods' who actually ARE harrassed, and don't have time to ride around on a fixie because they're working 2/3 jobs. Give me a break. As a former bicyclist-commuter, I've since stopped because I realized: 1. 90% of the bicyclists (or fixie-douchebags) here in NYC have egos the size of Nebraska 2. This city is NOT DESIGNED for bicycles if you bother to look at the infrastructure - hence, you ride at your own risk. Save the whining and keep riding your bike, but let's drop the egos.

matty

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:48:07 -0500

Story of the week

Anna_Merkin

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:45:11 -0500

That picture's awesome. nomnomnom, I love your handle. I think if pedicab drivers can pull your average obese American tourist (or tourist couple), they can handle the "leaner" version of Fat Al. He's kept off some of the weight since his hunger strike in Vieques.

nomnomnom

Fri, 30 May 2008 14:41:34 -0500

I'm sure Mrs. Bell won't contribute much, but will the pedicab driver be able to pull Fat Al?