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| 47 wackos arrested in Manhattan mass bike ride | |
| 2004-10-30 | |
More than 700 bicyclists, fresh off a victory in federal court, hit the streets of Manhattan Friday night, with police making 47 arrests and accusing riders of
Critical Mass, as the monthly ride is known, has taken place the last Friday of each month in the city since 1998, but it generated little media or police attention until the weeks leading up to the Republican National Convention. It has since become a flashpoint between bicyclists who say they are just looking to promote pollution-free transportation -- though a small percentage are vocal about their opposition to President George W. Bush -- and City Hall and the NYPD, which are adamant about maintaining law and order. On Thursday, U.S. District Judge William Pauley III denied an injunction sought by the city to bar Friday's ride unless the cyclists obtained a permit. The judge, however, did stress that police may enforce the law or seize unattended bicycles that obstruct traffic. Police did just that, (bravo!) with Deputy Commissioner Paul Browne, the department's top spokesman, noting in a statement that "those arrested rode against oncoming traffic and stop signals and otherwise violated the law." | |
| Posted by:Mark Espinola |
| #3 The reason for the strong trophism is that bikes are seemingly a way to "screw Big Oil/ Corporate Whatever/ Detroit" on the cheap. (aside-- and they fail to consider tho the energy costs to produce the bikes, roads, etc.) Realy cheap-- $300 for a beater MTB. This is a major investment for a professional begin rant Bikes have some aspect of an image of being one with nature, and solidarity with the world's poor. (Riiight. Lets see you commute to the office w/3" snow on the ground, Nature Boy. On semi-slicks or street tires, not studded cleats!) Remember how the Ho Chi Minh sandals were a big thing, along with the rest of the deep back to the land parphanalia? Its like that, cutting a pose rather than actualy doing something. Talk to a real live bike messenger sometime about the issues and you will get a revealing earful! Wow! I think I just punched one of my own Hot Buttons. end rant. |
| Posted by: N Guard 2004-10-30 8:20:40 PM |
| #2 Next summer I plan on getting to work on two wheels both for the exercise nad the cost issues. But why is it that issues like this always attract the loonies of the fringe element. They want to promote polution free transportation. Yet they try and block traffic and never think of all the excess polution from the cars sitting blocked in traffic idling. |
| Posted by: Cheaderhead 2004-10-30 7:00:28 PM |
| #1 Im disgusted by these loons. I commute to work by bicycle daily, and I ageree with the STATED goal of improving accessability for cyclists. The problem is that they hit the Red Giant stage almost instantly. They seem more interested in topics that are only tangentialy (sp?) rlated to the stated goals. And blocking traffic does not produce a genaraly positive reaction by the general public. There are more constructive ways to improve access for cyclists like me. For the record, I commute only because I can,I need exercise and gas at < $2.00/gal. is making it easier. Geoplitix dosen't even enter into the equation. I am not a LLL. |
| Posted by: N Guard 2004-10-30 1:24:55 PM |