Posted on 10/08/2007 12:35:56 PM PDT by Caleb1411
Critical Mass, the loosely organized bicycle group that ties up rush-hour traffic once a month in Minneapolis, has demonstrated who rules our streets. But Minneapolis isn't the only place where the Mass mob has strong-armed the police and City Hall, and left outraged motorists fuming but impotent. Today, Critical Mass cyclists cow commuters in more than 300 cities, from Denver to Rio de Janeiro, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
The ride got its start in San Francisco (where else?) in 1992 with about 50 cyclists. Authorities there looked the other way as riders ran red lights and snarled traffic. Soon, the event was drawing hundreds, even thousands, of riders.
And therein lies a cautionary tale for Minneapolis.
Today, ugly confrontations are a fact of life in the City by the Bay, and traffic is a bad trip on the last Friday of the month. Cyclists sometimes scratch or beat on cars, taunt or spit at motorists, and come close to running down pedestrians.
Nevertheless, police maintain a hands-off stance, acting as little more than bystanders.
In March 2007, a mother who had brought five young girls to the city for a birthday party wandered into the path of 3,000 Critical Mass cyclists. Hundreds swarmed around her minivan, circling wildly and pounding on its windows. As the terrified children sobbed, one rider threw his bike and smashed the van's rear window. Damage totaled more than $5,000.
The incident provoked citizen outrage. But Mayor Gavin Newsom -- after a few empty threats -- declined to order arrests or more controls, and merely beefed up the ride's police escort.
How did San Francisco get into this state of anarchy?
The city ran up the white flag 10 years ago, after a pitched battle in July 1997 set a pattern of capitulation.
(Excerpt) Read more at startribune.com ...
Ping
I’m thinking the answer to this is thumbtacks. Lots and lots of thumbtacks.
Then the motorists should engage in more protected first amendment rights of physically clearing the streets of all obstructions!
I’m thinking “accidentally on purpose” opening the car door at JUST the right time... like when one of those idiots is riding by.
Housing's been a bit slow lately. There's probably a glut of roofing nails to be had cheaply.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRoEbC22ppY
Just the look on that butt ugly hippy when her bike gets run over is fantastic.
Let these morons ride through Vegas.. lol I can guarantee you it will turn ugly. Lots of armed people here AND lots of gambling junkies who cant be late for bingo.. as well as the drunks.. haha
Add 12,000 Leftists on bikes, stir, shake well.. and stand back.
Well, it’s San Francisco.
Easy there, I’m a cyclist who rides to work and I’m all in favor of putting more people on bikes.
That said, anarchist tactics are inappropriate and taint the whole cycling community with the antics of a few, the one-percenters.
Think before you do something malicious that could endanger someone’s life, we are not all a-holes out there. The crash you cause could injure somebody who is just trying to get around without putting any money in the pockets of OBL and the Islamonutballs.
Cannister
Just as long as you don’t put thumbtacks around my bike, I’m fine with it. I’m sick of these pretentious bikers in this area. They make the rest of us look bad.
LOL !
Cyclists should be forced to use the sidewalks . They have no business being in the road if there are no bike lanes available .
Those are too tall. You need small stuff that that won’t shine in the sun.
I'm thinking aluminum baseball bats would be a good non-gunpowder solution to this problem.
Why!?
Bicyclists are--supposedly--required to obey all the same traffic laws as those driving automobiles. Why are they given a free pass?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.