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The Critical Mass ride that wrapped up Bike Month last Friday night saw an increase in participants, as well as an increase in summonses for "failure to keep right" while cycling, which biking advocates maintain is not a valid ticket and is regularly dismissed in court. (The rule in question, RCNY 4-12(p)(3), states that "Bicyclists may ride on either side of one-way roadways that are at least 40 feet wide.") Over a dozen summonses were issued, some during a sting at the base of the Williamsburg Bridge, where police wrote tickets for cyclists without front and rear lights.
Watch your tax dollars at work as police manpower is utilized to keep the city safe from cyclists, with cops even ticketing a man for videotaping their ticket-writing. We're told he was given three tickets; one for that 4-12(p)(3) violation, one for obstructing vehicle traffic, and a third for disorderly conduct. Times-Up spokesperson Barbara Ross says police "seemed really puzzled on what tickets to give him. It actually took about a half hour to finally give him these tickets after they rewrote the ticket at least twice. The lawyer for the NYPD, Lieutenant Albano, actually arrived at the scene and seemed to be consulted on what to write on the ticket."
Below, a second video shows the dumb getting even dumber, as cops on scooters motor down the Hudson River bike path to stay with the Critical Mass ride. Ross speculates that the increased "atmosphere of retaliation from the NYPD" may have had something to do with a pending lawsuit filed by cycling advocates. During last month's trial, lawyers for groups like the Five Borough Bike Club challenged the constitutionality of policing tactics used against Critical Mass and other group rides. A judge’s ruling is expected any day now.
Here's the full case history, with transcriptions of testimony. During depositions, lawyers established that during Critical Mass rides, "groups as small as five bicyclists have been pursued from Union Square all the way to their homes by scooter officers in an attempt to ensure they did not assemble with other bicyclists." Commissioner Raymond Kelly denied knowledge of the tactic; check out more cop scooter stupidity below.
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I know *I* feel safer knowing these evildoing bicyclists have been given summons. They're almost as dastardly as those marrying gays!
As an avid cyclist I agree that a ticket/fine should be issued to riders without front and tail lights at night (reflectors are near useless). It's not only hazardous to the riders, but it's hazardous to other riders, pedestrians, and cars alike.
I still don't know why the NYPD has double standards for CM in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
here we go again...
It's been said before...too many in Critical Mass are just tools. But too many in the police department are just arrogant bullies with chips on their shoulders. Neither excuses the other.
However, I don't want my tax money spent on a campaign of harassing people -- as long as they follow traffic laws (which it looks like they were doing in this instance), they can do whatever they like even if they're...kinda a bunch of tools.
Moreover, we all have a vested interest in the law being enforced fairly and honestly. A campaign to detain people who've committed no crime, to write tickets that the officer knows in advance lack a basis in law, and to enforce the law more strictly based on the political beliefs of the individual -- that harms all of us.
What do we get in exchange? Well, I guess we get fewer tools... But, frankly, I'd rather have freedom and safety from governmental overreach, even if I have to put up with a few tools to get it.
Plenty of knuckleheads on bith sides here.
If bicyclists want my sympathy, they can stop zooming down the street the wrong way and on the damn sidewalks. Assholes.
I didn't see anyone ticketed in that video going the wrong way or on the sidewalk.
And running red lights. And not signalling when turning. And generally not obeying any street laws whatsoever, so that they become more hazardous to pedestrians than automobiles.
Except bicyclists don't routinely maim or kill people like auto drivers:
http://gothamist.com/2009/06/03/man_loses_leg_after_livery_cab_cras.php
Man Loses Leg After Livery Cab Crashes Into Him
...or clog and destroy the roads, make noise, pollute the air, burden our economy...
That's not an argument for disobeying the traffic laws. I am sure you won't be happy to be hit by a speeding bicycle running a red light, even if the injuries are not life threatening. Heck, if a big fat pedestrian run into me I'd not be happy either.
That's not the point. If cyclists want to be respected, they have to give respect, and the best way to do that is to obey the laws of the road. And a high speed collision with a bike can remove a leg too. It may not be in the current news, but I'm sure there's a reported case of that happening somewhere at sometime.
I guess what I'm trying to say is cry me a river. As usual with these kinds of discussions/debates/whatever, both sides think they're right about everything and don't want to concede even the smallest point, so everything stalls and there's no advancement towards a solution.
And a high speed collision with a bike can remove a leg too. It may not be in the current news, but I'm sure there's a reported case of that happening somewhere at sometime.
Really? I wouldn't mind reading about that. Citation, please? Something tells me you've probably never been on a bike in your life, never mind have much knowledge of physics or human physiology. That kind of utterly ludicrous statement I would expect from "thefacts," but I guess ignorance can be contagious.
What's most disturbing is seeing the video guy get cuffed. No matter what the police say, it isn't illegal to document what they are doing on a public street with a video or still camera. This is the NYPD's statement on photography:
"Photography and the videotaping of public places, buildings and structures are common activities within New York City . . . and is rarely unlawful"
The street is a public place last time I checked. What a waste of time money.
The NYPD unofficial stance is: we know it's wrong and we know the judge will throw it out. However we want to make life as difficult and uncomfortable for this person as is possible, so as to discourage him/her in the future.
That's New York's "finest" at work.
NYC should just stop this monthly pointless fiasco already, I am sure Bloomberg can think of some way to prevent this and leave the roads for law abiding motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
I'm sure they arrested him for "assaulting an officer". Basically, if you raise your hands from your side, and they come within 6 inches of brushing a cop, then you're acting in an aggressive manner. So, I'm sure they arrested him on obstruction or assault. Sure, the charge will most likely get thrown out, but that guy will end up spending a lot of time and money fighting it, and maybe he'll decide it's not worth attending an event in the future or even bothering to talk to a cop.
It's all intimidation tactics - clear and simple. The NYPD has the budget and the manpower to harass people until they give up. I'm also sure most of these cops could care less one way or another, but they're getting paid for easy work.
The riding on the Hudson bike path (especially so many cops!) is what I find especially egregious. If the mayor or city council had any guts, they'd tell the cops to stop wasting money and resources on sending a dozen cops motoring down the path.
I also wish the city would invest some money on bicycle cops; I think if the NYPD had cops that could be identified as fellow cyclists, sharing some of the actual legitimate concerns of the average cyclist, much of this brou-haha would go away.
I also wish the city would invest some money on bicycle cops
+1
Bloomberg talks the green talk, but if he meant it he'd yank the NYPD's leash.
Everytime I see bicycle cops piddling around Brooklyn, they're riding on the sidewalk.
Really? I've only ever seen bike cops in Prospect Park on the road. Granted, I think I've seen the same guy 3 times. He seemed nice.
I've never seen bike cops in Manhattan (maybe once at Battery Park now that I think of it), but I've never seen them on the sidewalk. I'm actually surprised they don't put bike cops on the Brooklyn Bridge walkway/bikeway for security purposes. I know they keep a couple of cops in a car at the Manhattan end of the bridge, but whenever there's a need, they have to run up the path - hardly efficient.
I would have slightly more sympathy for Critical Mass if they would openly admit their intent to block traffic. That is the purpose of their rides, that is their goal.
hahaha, when they were kids, most of these pigs probably thought they'd be helping the community out if they grew up to be cops, instead they ended up as stooges of a billionaire thug... no wonder they have so much self-hate that they have to take it out on kids riding bikes. Notice how the one cop goes dead-eyed when the girl asks "What are you arresting him for?"
all these people need to get a life. however, at least the cyclists are doing this on their own time, etc. that cannot be said for the nypd who are on the tax-funded payroll here.
hey, wait, weren't there a few robberies to deal with in the oh-so-posh west village friday during the ride????!!! oh, right, the nypd doesn't deal with REAL crime anymore. instead they ignore them or commit their own.
I didn't see any bicyclists breaking any laws there.
they stopped at red lights and rode on the right.
Don't the cops have something better to do like go shoot each other, or rape helpless women?? geesh
Thats what im saying, dont they have some Black people to terrorise anymore?
>>>Except bicyclists don't routinely maim or kill people like auto drivers:
http://gothamist.com/2009/06/03/man_loses_leg_after_livery_cab_cras.php
Man Loses Leg After Livery Cab Crashes Into Him
...or clog and destroy the roads, make noise, pollute the air, burden our economy...
That gives bicyclists the right to blow through lights, ride against traffic and clip me when I'm crossing with the light?
I don't think so.
www.forgotten-ny.com
No, it doesn't give the cyclists the right to terrorize pedestrians. Auto drivers do enough of that on a daily basis.
And as is noted here regularly, automobile drivers that kill or maim pedestrians or other automobile occupants, are rarely, if ever, held accountable for their actions.
But a cyclist riding without a front light - that's a crime!
Absolutely not, but he was responding to the comment stating that bikes have "become more hazardous to pedestrians than automobiles" which, depending on the your definition of hazardous, doesn't seem likely to be true.
jeez that again. again, yeah, bicyclists don't usually kill or maim people. I'm guessing you want it back to the horse and buggy days dodging horse manure.
Everytime I go through an intersection I hope an asshole on a bike runs a red light and then I can send him flying through the air as he bounces off my hood. And then when he is laid out in little bloody pieces I will tell the police 'I had a green light'.
You just won't be able to perform that act of kindness in the 5 blocks around Times Square. Because you and your car are no longer welcome there!
It'll be hard to hit that cyclist, though, because you'll have my U-lock sticking out of your neck.
NYPD van obstructs the bike lane in south slope in 5th ave and 17th street. bike riders have to pass it outside and cars have to cross double yellow line. I saw 2 officers inside at Fuel restaurant. There were many available parking spots down the street.
http://nyc.mybikelane.com/post/index/8167
rolltide, you deserve so much more than any flagging/reporting would ever do. just plain sick. do you feel that way about pedestrians crossing against a light? you just enjoy killing?
the arguing skills of you fucking morons is amazing. "bikes are more hazardous"...so we cyclists give you example after example (they aren't hard to find) of cars killing people and we could give you really overwhelming statistical proof of the inanity of your statement, and you respond "that doesn't make it right to run a red light"...fucking amazing. we are responding to you FUCKING IDIOTS!
Alrighty then.
Still, not cool to run red lights. As a pedestrian, I'd rather get hit by a bike than by a car...but I'd really rather not get hit at all.
Again, the NYPD should get a clue (as should many drivers). But that doesn't excuse bad, impolite, or dangerous riding.
"Still, not cool to run red lights."
What's wrong with running red lights? If someone runs a red & interferes with traffic that has the right of way, or buzzes pedestrians, that's out of line. But it's plenty possible to be considerate and safe while running a red, and I just don't understand why folks who are happy to jaywalk have a problem w/ this.
You could use the same logic to say that a car shouldn't need to stop at a red light if it looks clear.
In any event, I've been buzzed by enough cyclists to believe that many are either unable or unwilling to see and stop for pedestrians. Maybe those riders think they can see pedestrians, but really can't. Or maybe they're just assholes. Either way.
Now, if you really can -- and will -- stop when there are pedestrians crossing or traffic coming, then, yeah, feel free not to stop at red lights when it's safe not to do so. You guys are right that it's unfair for respectful riders to be lumped in with those who are careless pricks -- but there are certainly enough careless pricks out there to give all riders a bad name.
i am the supreme biker! on sidewalks and all!
I'll stop running red lights when pedestrians stop illegally jaywalking in front of me or stepping out from between two parked cars while yakking on their cells when *I* have the light.
In other words, never. However, I always yield to pedestrians when they have the right of way -- full stop -- and so do a lot of other cyclists. It's a continued idiocy on Gothamist to lump all cyclists into one, big, inconsiderate group.
Critical Mass deserves ALL the harassment they get. They are an organization that disrupts public life and the effect they have is to make people HATE cyclists, not sympathize with them.
Seriously - how much has CM affected your life? I agree that many of the riders are self-righteous hipster d-bags, but I think it has adversely affected me maybe twice in the last 10 years. And when it did, it delayed me by 30-45 minutes. All the jerkoffs from Hoboken, LI and SI in their SUVs make traffic miserable everyday, not just one Friday a month. BFD - get over it. If it makes us think about energy-independence and alternative transportation twice a year, I think we'll live.
It DOESN'T make me think about alternative transportation or energy independence. All it makes me do is HATE cyclists because they are so goddam selfish. No, fuck Critical Mass to hell FOREVER. I will never sympathize with them, I will never give a damn if someone runs one of them over. These people have more than bicycle seats up their asses, they have their heads up their asses. They have chosen the wrong way to make their points, and this is what happens.
Agree. Critical Mass Sucks.
It does not help the environment.
It does not promote cycle safety
IT DOES create an Us vs Them mentality when it comes to cyclists vs motorist and even cyclist vs pedestrians.
The fact that CM riders think that it is OK to hold up anyone for ANY amount of time is telling indeed. What happened to civility and respect? If you want to make a statement, ride your bikes around a government building, or an oil company, or car manufacturing plant. Better yet, join a LEGITIMATE cycle advocacy group that helps GET THINGS DONE rather than just whine and cry about it while negatively affecting society (you know the people you are supposedly trying to sway into your way of thought). Clearly that is not working for you.
www.CriticalMassSucks.com
Amen !!
Can I hear it from the choir?
Don't the cops have anything better to do, like have the white cops shoot the black cops by "accident"???
Maybe the white cops should have shot your mother so she never would have had to shit you out...loser
whaaaaa!!!!!!! I'm a Liberal a$$hole, Whaaaaaaaa!!!! all i do is cry about money being made for the city. Whaaaaaaa!!!!! I dont even pay taxes!!!! Whaaaaaaa!!!! I'm going to sho my concern for stuff by jamming up traffic in the city with my crappy bike!. Whaaaaaaa!!!! Im going to blame every thing on the city.
Pedestrians, transit riders and cyclists pay a greater percentage of their taxes towards transportation expenses with respect to how much they use than do people who commute by car.
Drivers pay for many of the bridge and tunnel transverses, but those fees go for maintenance of that bridge/tunnel only (and still doesn't cover the total cost - the rest made up by taxpayers who don't even use them). Further, many commuters live outside of the city and do not pay city taxes at all.
I love it when morons try to use the "you don't even pay taxes" schtick. I would be a million bucks that 95% of the people riding bicycles do pay their fair share of taxes. There's probably a greater percentage of car drivers who do not pay city taxes, drive without insurance, or live on welfare.
those jagoffs with the nj and penn plates for shure!
\
what's also really wrong about this whole thing is that bloomberg just ignores this battle between cops and critical mass. this thing could get really violent and ugly one day but bloomberg doesn't care. only after someone gets his skull cracked will bloomberg step in and pretend to be concerned and feel bad about what happened.
I disagree. Only when an office hurts himself while tackling a cyclist will the mayor express concern. When Patrick Pogan assaulted that cyclist last year, almost killed the guy, and was videotaped, Bloomberg couldn't have cared less.
I've never encountered a Critical Mass bike ride. Does anyone know: do they act thuggish on the road?
Not really. There's a bad apple every now and then, but most of the bad behavior comes from drivers who swear at cyclists, honk, and throw stuff because they've been delayed by 30 minutes from their chicken pot pies waiting at home.
when will the "liberal mainstream press" confront bloomturd on this issue? Critical mass is not even a mass when compared to the daily traffic jams this city sees every Friday after Memorial day. or any artery that leads to a bridge or tunnel.
Nypd will soon start to issue tickets for people walking on the wrong side of the side walk