SAN FRANCISCO: Two views of mass confusion { Critical Mass }

Although post #23 prefers the shotgun approach, if I had to affect the conduct of the “Mass”, I would restrict its routes using retractable spike strips (deployed in depth) and bag the pack leadership using retractable vehicle capture nets. Both of are developed and proven technologies. Once the Mass is contained in an secured area and cannot escape using its bicycles, it would either have to dismount and walk out - through control points where every single rider would be ticketed, photographed and have their bicycles impounded or, alternatively, attempt to fight its way out through the battalions of riot police backing up the the stop and ticket strategy.

So the Mass, while imposing, is not nearly so unstoppable as it thinks it is. Far larger masses than a big pack of bicycle riders have been channeled, diverted, contained , and walled off in the past. All that is really required is the will to do what needs to be done. The knowledge of what to do and how to do it already exists.

Whether its participants like to admit it or not, the Critical Mass ride exists only because of the tolerant attitude of the city’s liberal/left administration. How many more incidents like this recent one before that tolerance disappears?

Alternatively, the Critical Mass "community" (understanding how imprecisely the term may apply to event participants) could do some self-reflection on the incident and, hateful as it may be to the defiant freedom its participants seem to espouse, come up with some “rules” on how to peacefully and nonviolently deal with the unwary motorist that may stray into the Mass’ path during the ride. Those rules might include measures to ensure that the more aggressive members of the Mass are shunted away from any incident so it can be dealt with without further escalation.

>...but no wrecked bicycle was produced as evidence.

Says who? Produced to whom?

From the article at SFGate: "He fell to the ground, McCarthy said, and the bike went under the front of the minivan. The driver, she said, didn't stop until four cyclists got in front."

Seems to me a bike wedged under a minivan that kept driving would be pretty banged up. As far as to whom, I'd assume a cop, any cop. The biker who was hit would have had to walk home, not ride off. Wobbly wheels at least come to mind.

So the Mass, while imposing, is not nearly so unstoppable as it thinks it is.

The previous mayor tried to shut down Critical Mass and failed. The problem with the tactics you suggest is that each rider is just a person riding their bike down the street until they break some law. If you arrest them all, they will just go to court and deny the charges. Then, unless you have an officer swear under oath that he saw that certain cyclist commit some specific infraction, the rider walks. Multiply this by a hundred and you have an expensive mess which is what happened last time. Further, in the past when the City insisted that riders stop for red lights, the riders did so and the disruption to traffic was greater not less since it caused the Mass to move much more slowly. It might not be as easy as you think to shut this thing down within the confines of the law.

Rogue Yam stop making excuses for these Massholes.
You know what Critical Mass is all about.
It IS a riot.
The whole idea is that they will flout the traffic laws and screw up traffic throughout the City.
They are deliberately causing public disturbance.

The name Critical Mass refers to 2 things:
(1) A ‘mass’ of people so big that individual arrests cannot be made (and with no official leaders to be accountable); and
(2) By doing this, they are being ‘critical’ of the status quo. “Oh, those sinful people in their cars! Let’s get back at them! We are SOOOO much more virtuous than they! And if we cause accidents, knock pedestrians down, and freak out little kids along the way - so much the better!”

I have been there. I have been nearly knocked down trying to walk home, since no buses could get through. These people are NOT out riding their bikies nice and peaceful-like. They are THUGS.

If they wanted a nice bike-ride, it could easily be arranged. That is NOT what they want.

Since they meet on the last Friday of every month, generally at the foot of Market Street, it would not be that hard for law enforcement to make it very unpleasant for them. This incident should be their signal that it is time to do so.

Stop making excuses. It really sounds like you DON’T know what you are talking about. Unless you have ridden in one of these riots-on-wheels too. In which case, shame on you.

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