Results tagged “matthewroth”

Critical Mass, which came to New York around 1993, hasn't always been a cause for concern amongst the city's police. After 2004's Republican National Convention coincided with that month's Critical Mass in Manhattan, things changed. The ride has taken a more political tone and there's often an air of protest circling it.

Uncivil Servants was only launched last week, but it's already a hotbed of discussion. The website asks people to submit photographs of vehicles that are parked illegally (many times on sidewalks or in front of hydrants), but one commenter, "bklyncop1," questioned showing so police vehicle information for criminals to see - check out this thread from Monday. Another commenter, musha, wrote:

As I said, the plates are not necessary for this site to accomplish its goals.

Continue reading "Parking Violation Watchdog Website Draws Critics"

A state judge ruled that the city cannot bar Critical Mass ride, which comes after last month's ruling that the rides do not need permits. The NY Times details the ruling:

Calling the city's legal strategy against the ride "highly irregular" and "as unnecessary as it is inappropriate," Justice Michael D. Stallman of State Supreme Court in Manhattan refused to bar an environmental group and four people from taking part in it, from gathering at Union Square Park beforehand, or from announcing the rides on the group's Web site, as the city had requested.

Continue reading "Judge Tells City, Critical Mass Can Go On"

Yesterday, you might have noticed, was the last Friday of the month of August. That means, besides us being one week closer to the end of summer, that it is time for another Critical Mass Arrest Wrap Up!

If it's the last Friday of the month, it means that Critical Mass bike riders will be hitting the streets. And this past Friday, 34 bikers were arrested. While past Critical Mass rides, which is meant to encourage bike use but has become, at least in the city, almost a political statement after the Republican National Convention eve ride when bikers flooded the streets, have started at Union Square, this time, the ride started from Union Square, Madison Square Park, and Tompkins Square Park, possibly, as Newsday suggests, to evade the police.

Matthew Roth,
Bicycle Enthusiast, Time's Up