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Melee of cyclists / Ogden incident leads to four arrests [Cyclists on a Rampage]
Ogden Standard Examiner ^ | 8/9/2009 | Trent Toone

Posted on 08/09/2009 9:21:20 AM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity

OGDEN -- Was it a friendly group bicycle ride through downtown Ogden or a confrontational melee that included obstructing traffic, assault, obscenities and alcohol?

Depends on who you talk to.

Numbers vary from 35 to 70, but a large group of cyclists, referred to as Critical Mass, was taking a monthly ride to celebrate cycling and assert their rights to the road on Friday when Ogden police say things got out of hand. Four individuals were arrested on charges of disorderly conduct, failure to disperse and public intoxication.

Matt Hasenyager, owner of Skyline Cycle and one of the bicyclists, said the group was obeying traffic laws and having fun.

However, police reports indicate some were hostile, disrupted traffic flow, yelled obscenities and made gestures at motorists while intoxicated.

The trouble started at the intersection of 23rd Street and Grant Avenue when a woman motorist stopped at a red light and was suddenly surrounded by bicyclists. When the light turned green, she was unable to pull forward and honked her horn.

Cyclists responded by yelling obscenities and someone threw a cup of soda pop and hit the woman in the face, the police report said. When she pulled forward, her vehicle bumped one of the bicycles, causing minor damage to the fender and wheel. Then she called police.

"They demanded she be arrested for aggravated assault, but it wasn't intentional," said Ogden Lt. Mike Ashment. "The woman didn't want to pursue anything."

The group continued its ride to 24th Street and Lincoln Avenue, where two individuals halted traffic, entered the intersection and began escorting the other riders through even though the light was red, according to the police report. Angry motorists were forced to maneuver around the pair and more gestures were made and obscenities yelled, Ashment said.

The scene was observed by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper and Weber County deputy who were assisting the Ogden City gang unit for the weekend. They arrived and instructed the two cyclists to leave the intersection and talk with them. One complied, but the other pedaled away after the group.

Deputy Trevor Petersen pursued the individual, eventually tackling him off his bike. Petersen's actions surprised the group, which then surrounded him. He ordered them to move away and called for backup, the report said. Eventually more than six officers arrived to help disperse the irate crowd.

Four individuals were arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, failure to disperse and public intoxication. They are Samuel Mc-Kay, 26; Sara Fulks, 33; Donald Hall, 61; and KC Shirra, 19. A 12-pack of beer was located in Fulks' backpack.

It was a bizarre scene, trooper Chris Turley said.

"I have never encountered something like this. Usually people are very law abiding, but the crowd was very hostile. Many were intoxicated and smelled of alcohol," Turley said. "It was unusual behavior."

Hasenyager was riding with the group and recalls the scene as one of chaos and confusion. He said his friend that was tackled didn't know the deputy wanted him to stop.

"It was hard to know who he (the deputy) was talking to when he said 'Stop sir, stop.' There 30 of us," Hasenyager said. "I don't think the police department as a whole was out of line, but this individual (the deputy) could have handled it in a different fashion. If it had been handled differently, without physical force, I wouldn't be talking about it right now. Maybe tickets could have been written."

According to several Web sites, Critical Mass is a bicycling event typically held on the last Friday of every month in hundreds of cities around the world. The ride was originally founded in 1992 in San Francisco with the idea of drawing attention to how unfriendly the city was to cyclists. Participants have insisted that these events should be viewed as "celebrations" and spontaneous gatherings, and not as protests or organized demonstrations.

Ashment and Lt. Scott Conley both find it odd that the group is out promoting fun and bicycle awareness, yet failing to comply with traffic rules and other laws.

"It doesn't jive," Ashment said.

"Why are they so confrontational with public? Why do they have alcohol in their backpacks? From what I am being told, they were they individuals escalating the situation," Conley said.

Hasenyager didn't see the incident at 23rd and Grant, but said has heard several different versions of what happened. He said it was heartbreaking to see this all happen, but the bottom line, he said, is that Ogden is an outdoor hot spot.

"The best we can do now is move this in a positive direction, learn a valuable lesson and move forward, and be better because of it."


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: Utah
KEYWORDS: bicycle; bicycling; bike; cycle; cycleofviolence; cycling; cyclist; drunkdrivers; dui; dumbass; dwi; spandex; tdf; tourdefrance
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To: Stentor
My concern as a walker in county parks is about the connection of cycling apparel and being a moron.

Which is bikes are better off on roads than trails.

141 posted on 08/09/2009 2:11:22 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
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To: Sherman Logan
For all practical purposes bicycles cause no damage at all.

No road damage, they just piss everybody off.

142 posted on 08/09/2009 2:14:47 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Liberalism is a social disease.)
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To: Minn
This section of the Pennsylvania code is never followed by bike apparel wearing individuals:

Section 3508. Pedalcycles on sidewalks and pedalcycle paths. (a) Right-of-way to pedestrians.-- A person riding a pedalcycle upon a sidewalk or pedalcycle path used by pedestrians shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.

143 posted on 08/09/2009 2:16:47 PM PDT by Stentor (.)
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To: Melas
That's not what happens in the Dallas area of Texas. I've been behind people playing on these toys on Legacy, Custer, Plano Parkway, Preston Rd, Inwood, and the old 121 before they made it a toll rd. They ride along in the middle of the traffic lane at 10 mph or less with an occasional burst of "speed" to 15 or 20 mph. and all those streets have 45 mph speed limits except 121; it was 55 where I used to run into that bunch of clowns.

You call the cops and they say there's nothing they can do about this dangerous behavior.

I don’t mind kids or anyone else playing with these toys on the streets of a subdivision or a residential neighborhood. But these are supposedly adults playing with a child’s toy on main streets making it unsafe for everyone.

There are two women who even pull little trailers with small kids in them as they play with their bikes on Park Blvd. I pointed it out to a cop once and asked why he didn't stop them and have CPS take those kids. He said he didn't like it either but they were within the law.

144 posted on 08/09/2009 2:19:08 PM PDT by SUSSA
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To: AppyPappy
I don't know when their next ride is, but I'm going to find out. This happened about 7 miles from my house. Just my luck, it will probably be a weekday because Critical Mass is full of lowlife libs that are unemployed.
145 posted on 08/09/2009 2:20:18 PM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity (Liberalism is a social disease.)
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To: Mr. Blonde

How often do you ride with your high beams on a major dr with lots of traffic? Plus there is no inspection to see if the reflectors are that good.

As near as practicable is very subjective.

They ride two and three to a lane and the cops do nothing here.


146 posted on 08/09/2009 2:29:41 PM PDT by SUSSA
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To: LoneRangerMassachusetts

Hear, Hear!


147 posted on 08/09/2009 2:30:19 PM PDT by fanfan (Why did they bury Barry's past?)
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To: Melas
I stop at stop signs and traffic lights. Most cyclists I know do so as well.

Not in Chicago. You would be the exception by a wide margin.

148 posted on 08/09/2009 2:38:23 PM PDT by wmfights (If you want change support SenateConservatives.com)
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To: SUSSA

That is how the law is written. I would assume the reflector would still be visible from some distance with low beams as well. If you think it is insufficient, call your state representative and have them change the law.

Again, if they are doing that I gave you the statute to tell the police they are breaking when you report them. Clearly riding two or three to a lane is not practicable.


149 posted on 08/09/2009 3:34:25 PM PDT by Mr. Blonde (You ever thought about being weird for a living?)
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To: Stentor
This section of the Pennsylvania code is never followed by bike apparel wearing individuals:

Nope. And many of them are traveling in excess of 20 MPH. Combined with Fido's extended leash, it's an accident waiting to happen. Bikes don't belong on trails used by pedestrians.

150 posted on 08/09/2009 4:13:59 PM PDT by Minn (Here is a realistic picture of the prophet: ----> ([: {()
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To: dayglored
I follow the law of the road on my cannondale, that's for sure.
I've made other posts here to the effect that is a cyclist is not following the rule of the road, it is their fault if they get hurt.
I don't like uppity cyclists either... may be the reason I ride the scary phisher off-road then hang with the ‘roadie’ crowd any more.
Happy Cycling!
151 posted on 08/09/2009 4:28:41 PM PDT by TV Dinners (Hope is not a Strategy)
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To: Minn
The picture looks made up, like what you'd expect it'd look like if a car ran into a gaggle of cyclists. If it is a real pic, then reality matches imagination.
152 posted on 08/09/2009 7:27:22 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch (nothing is normal anymore)
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To: gura
Climate controlled stadium? You think Lambeau imports snow?

I agree cycling takes real effort, unlike driving a freaking car, but to even begin to compare a guy riding a bike to a professional football player is just silly.

153 posted on 08/09/2009 8:17:48 PM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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To: digger48

After a similiar discussion on here a few months ago regarding the “rights” of cyclists, I happened to be driving home through a neighborhood with a stop sign about every 100 yards - as I slowed and stopped at each sign, two bikers just breezed through each one.... I would pass them and keep going, only to stop again and they would pass me again..... I so wanted to find a cop. Sure, they obey traffic rules...


154 posted on 08/09/2009 8:21:08 PM PDT by WhyisaTexasgirlinPA
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Comment #155 Removed by Moderator

To: SUSSA
That's not what happens in the Dallas area of Texas. I've been behind people playing on these toys on Legacy, Custer, Plano Parkway, Preston Rd, Inwood, and the old 121 before they made it a toll rd. They ride along in the middle of the traffic lane at 10 mph or less with an occasional burst of "speed" to 15 or 20 mph. and all those streets have 45 mph speed limits except 121; it was 55 where I used to run into that bunch of clowns.

I regularly take Plano to Plano Parkway and all the way into Wylie to visit a friend. Must make me a bad person in your book.

I don’t mind kids or anyone else playing with these toys on the streets of a subdivision or a residential neighborhood. But these are supposedly adults playing with a child’s toy on main streets making it unsafe for everyone.

I presume your repeated use of the word, "toy" is for effect, or perhaps you're simply trying to be inflammatory. Either way, my bicycles are vehicles, not toys. Your wrong-headed opinion changes that not one iota.

There are two women who even pull little trailers with small kids in them as they play with their bikes on Park Blvd. I pointed it out to a cop once and asked why he didn't stop them and have CPS take those kids. He said he didn't like it either but they were within the law.

I'll bet you think you're a liberty loving conservative too. Sad, but funny.

156 posted on 08/09/2009 8:29:34 PM PDT by Melas
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To: Minn

This is what I always find amusing about these threads, usually in the comments in Dallas Morning News. You have your pedestrians who insist that that cyclists are traveling in excess of 20mph, and motorists who insist they’re traveling less than 10mph.


157 posted on 08/09/2009 8:32:34 PM PDT by Melas
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To: wmfights

That’s sad. I hate to see cyclists disobey traffic laws for this very reason. It makes us all look bad.


158 posted on 08/09/2009 8:33:32 PM PDT by Melas
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To: Excuse_My_Bellicosity
These are not cyclists, these are punks who happen to be on bikes.

This is like equating all motorcyclists with the meth dealing Mongol motorcycle gang.

159 posted on 08/09/2009 8:36:47 PM PDT by Plutarch
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To: WhyisaTexasgirlinPA

I think he’s comparing apples to apples, ie, world class athletes to world class athletes. Your most out of shape bench warmer in the NFL is in better shape than I am, but compared to a guy like Lance, no comparison. There are no huddles and time outs in cycling to catch your breath.


160 posted on 08/09/2009 8:40:32 PM PDT by Melas
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