Critical Jack Asses.
Why do protestors think that pissing people off will win them over?
It’s worth remembering that California motorists are pre-irritated at bicyclists as a result of the fact that illegal aliens who have their cars impounded end up riding bikes, and frequently do so with the same respect for the law they exhibit in other areas. It’s a rare day when I don’t have a near miss with somebody riding on the wrong side of the road, on the sidewalk, through a pedestrian stop signal, and with no lights. Sort of preconditions us to be unfriendly to two wheelers.
Not yielding the right of way has been a problem in Berkeley for a long time.
(See this 1906 silent movie regarding a streetcar / jaywalker pedestrian encounter in Berkeley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1L5WgCxvVA )
What we need as a society is common sense Bike Control.
Anyone who wants to ride a bike may do so — but only at an approved velodrome. Owning a bike will be permitted too but the bike must be kept at the velodrome and locked.
A 72-year-old man driving the Chevrolet minivan and his 70-year-old wife were surrounded by bicyclists who rocked their vehicle, police said, adding that two witnesses told them that three riders threw their bicycles in front of the minivan to block its path. http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2007/05/13/BAGNLPQ6MJ1.DTL
These Critical Mass Idiots are out of control.
It used to be a peaceful way to support riding your bike to work — and has turned into a borderline terrorist activity.
Some of the ones I have witnessed included 100s of bicycles surrounding cars, going through red lights with vehicular traffic at a complete standstill until the morons (all 100++++ of them) are clear of the intersection.
It SHOCKS me that this isn’t illegal and that no one has done anything.
It’s more of a parade — WHICH WOULD REQUIRE PERMITS — then any kind of peaceful demonstration of support for bicycle use.
Ridiculous!
The animosity shown by many people here towards cyclists is pathetic. I deal with a lot of it out on the road, but had hoped folks here would be a bit above Neanderthal level. Apparently not.
There’s no reason for me to get buzzed by a car 6 inches away. Pass me safely like any other vehicle. If you’re in such a damn rush, you should have left earlier.
I’m in no way defending these Critical Mass morons, but the comments from several of you make you no better than them. Advocating murder because you can’t be bothered to share the road? That’s sick.