by Larry Lagarde

This weekend, more cyclists were arrested or ticketed by the NYPD for riding in NYC during a Critical Mass bike ride. Though the intimidation is unfortunate for the individual cyclists that were picked upon, the unjust hassling of bicyclists has led to millions of dollars worth of free publicity for bicycling advocacy.

Critical Mass is a non-commercial, peaceful, bike ride that takes place in cities around the world on the last Friday of every month after rush hour. In some cities, Critical Mass rides attract a handful of riders; in others, thousands of cyclists can turn out.

Since bicycles are legally considered vehicles, cyclists have the right to ride on roadways; however, most streets are typically too dangerous for a cyclist to ride alone due to traffic from motor vehicles. Thus, Critical Mass rides present an opportunity for cyclists to ride safely. Unfortunately, some governmental leaders either fail to grasp the law or view the law as irrelevant, leading to situations like the arrests of hundreds in New York and San Francisco just for riding their bikes in or near a Critical Mass ride.

In a free society with free press, unfounded arrests, ticketing and confiscations of private property (bicycles in this case) cannot help but make the news. The harder authorities clamp down, the more publicity the cause receives. For example, years of harassment by the NYPD of Critical Mass riders have led to ongoing headline coverage of the story in major print and video media far beyond the confines of NYC. Had the same authorities allowed the Critical Mass rides to take place unimpeded by police bedeviling riders, the rides would be far less newsworthy.

Though members of the cycling community hold differing opinions regarding the value of Critical Mass, the rides have focused mainstream attention on a legitimate, useful form of transportation that is quiet, affordable and pollution free. Law abiding cyclists everywhere are in debt to riders that have been intimidated for doing nothing more than legally riding their bicycles during a Critical Mass.

Labels: Critical Mass, NYC, NYPD

by Larry Lagarde

According to a new "parade permit" regulation by the New York Police Dept, it is now illegal for 50 or more bicyclists to cycle together without a permit.

The City of New York has seemingly been at war with cyclists since late August 2004 when over 1800 cyclists were arrested and prosecuted within a 10 day period simply for bicycle riding. One Friday evening alone, over 250 peaceful cyclists participating in a Critical Mass ride (a monthly event in which cyclists ride together in relative safety) were handcuffed and hauled away to the pokey. That night, the bikes of even more cyclists were illegally confiscated by the NYPD.

Naturally, the arrests and confiscations led to lawsuits and counter suits and, ultimately, attempts by NYC to shut down future Critical Mass rides in the city (legal skirmish time line). Thus, it seemed a victory when NYC dropped its lawsuit this week against Times Up!, the grass roots NYC bicycle advocacy group that promotes local Critical Mass rides. Not so. The lawsuit was dropped because the parade permit regs changed (the courts said the old parade permit regs were too ambiguous) and the new regs cannot be applied retroactively.

The new regulations that came out in January mandate that groups of 50 or more walkers, cyclists or other "devices moved by human power" apply for a permit before they can "march" on any street or roadway in New York City (the police wanted the regs to apply to groups of 30+ people but public outcry shot that down).

50 Cyclists in Perspective
If 17 families of 3 (mom, dad & child) planned an outing in NYC (a visit to Central Park, the Bronx Zoo, Manhattan Children's Museum, New York Aquarium, etc.), met up at one location and caravaned to their destination by SUV, no permit is needed. If the same families opted instead to bicycle to their NYC destination from a mutual starting point, they'd need a permit? In other words, Cub Scouts, members of a church congregation, the dad's club for a school, etc. are now forced to apply for a parade permit if they're going to take a bunch of kids bicycling on any street or roadway in New York City. This is insane and others like the 5 Borough Bike Club agree with me.

Bicycles are a form of transportation that is quiet, clean, efficient and healthy. They don't cause potholes or crack water mains and they don't injure 15,000 pedestrians/yr in NYC (like motor vehicles do). If anything, the NYPD should be encouraging cycling and walking, not inhibiting it.

With the next NYC Critical Mass ride scheduled for tomorrow evening, it will be interesting to see how the police authorities react this time.

More info related to this story...
- Amy Landau's Article on Cycling in NYC
- "New Standoff Over Critical Mass as Another Bike Group Sues to Block Parade Regs"
- "3 More Killed This Weekend as 100 Rally for Pedestrian Safety"
- "Time's Up!"
- "Transportation Alternatives"

Labels: Critical Mass, New York City, Time's Up, Transportation Alternatives

This weekend, RideTHISbike.com reader Jeanette Watkins introduced me to a film titled "You Never Bike Alone," an 80 minute documentary about Critical Mass. A cycling phenomenon and social movement that started in San Francisco in the 1990's, Critical Mass bicycle riding events have been spreading to other cities across North America (there was one here in New Orleans on January 26th).

Based on the teaser footage, the movie is an interesting and fun look at a variety of Critical Mass events that have taken place over a decade in Vancouver, Canada including the World Naked Bike Ride and municipal events like bike lane openings.



You Never Bike Alone - Trailer

My thanks go to Jeanette who has also been helping me stay in touch with that hardy Viking Biker, Rune Monstad, as he makes his way East across the frigid Canadian landscape.

Larry

Labels: bicycle advocacy, canada, Critical Mass, Rune Monstad, Vancouver, Viking Biker