Posted on 08/17/2009 5:39:32 AM PDT by Excuse_My_Bellicosity
Edited on 08/17/2009 6:09:26 AM PDT by Admin Moderator. [history]
OGDEN, Aug 15, 2009 (Standard-Examiner - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Formal charges have been filed against the bicyclists arrested in a recent Critical Mass confrontation with police.
About 35 or more members of the cyclist advocacy group were on an Aug. 7 ride in downtown Ogden when members became unruly, police say. Four cyclists were arrested.
Trouble started at 23rd Street and Grant Avenue when a driver stopped at a red light and was surrounded by bicyclists.
She was unable to pull forward when the light changed, and police said she accidentally bumped a cyclist. Riders in turn shouted obscenities at her, and she was struck by a thrown cup of soda.
She called police.
The group continued its ride to 24th Street and Lincoln Avenue, where two people halted traffic, entered the intersection and began escorting the other riders through a red light, police said. Angry motorists were forced to maneuver around the pair, and more angry gestures and obscenities were exchanged.
That scene was observed by a Utah Highway Patrol trooper and Weber County sheriff's deputy who were assisting the Ogden city gang unit for the weekend.
The officers instructed the two cyclists to leave the intersection and talk with them. One complied, but the other started pedaling away after the group but was tackled by the deputy.
The four arrested were charged Monday.
Samuel McKay, 26, and Sara Fulks, 33, were each charged with intoxication, disorderly conduct and failure to disperse, all class C misdemeanors. They have been arraigned and have status conferences Oct. 26 and Sept. 4, respectively, in Ogden Justice Court.
McKay has hired private counsel, Emily Swenson.
Donald Hall, 61, who was tackled, was charged in 2nd District Court with class A misdemeanor evading police. Arraignment is set for Thursday before Judge Michael DiReda. He also has hired Swenson to represent him.
K.C. Shirra, 19, has been charged with disorderly conduct and "unauthorized placement of a traffic control device," both class C misdemeanors. He has been arraigned, with a status conference set for Sept. 14 in Ogden Justice Court.
Ogden City Prosecutor Mike Junk said the latter charge against Shirra applies to the alleged incident of directing traffic, which is illegal for a private citizen.
The melee has generated a great deal of media attention and discussion of bicyclists' rights in sharing the asphalt with motorists, with ongoing debates on threads attached to Internet stories.
Quite often I ride a bicycle to and from work. These bastards are just making life more difficult for those of us who use this form of transportation.
I wouldn’t expect public intoxication to be a real common charge among cyclists. These guys are a bunch of nuts and I would expect most cyclists out there to be saying to Critical Mass, “You don’t represent me, stay off my side of the issues!!”
Critical Ass makes me wish I had larger side mirrors on my truck.
Self-righteous, arrogant bicycle riders, depriving you of YOUR rights. Typical thugs who deserve no respect.
What in the world are these advocates advocating?
Intoxication while rididng a bicycle in Florida is a DUI charge. I’m not surprised Oregon authorities ignored this.
My bad. Change Oregon to Utah, with apologies to Oregon.
Sounds like they don’t like traffic lights. Seems like an odd mix of Marxism and Anarchy.
Tiddlywinks all over the road in front of them might make things interesting.
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RESISTOR
Swear allegiance to the flag, whatever flag they offer;
Never hint at what you really feel.
Teach the children quietly for, someday, sons and daughters
Will rise up and fight while we stood still.
Der Elite Møøsënspåånkængrüppen ØberKømmändø (EMØØK)
There may not be any law to use in this case. In most jurisdictions DUI is only illegal with motor vehicles.
Some of these activist biker types tried to disrupt the Woodward Dream Cruise recently.
Losers.
http://jalopnik.com/5338187/hipsters-on-bicycles-seek-to-screw-with-woodward-dream-cruise
“What in the world are these advocates advocating?”
They want cars banned from public roads.
I really couldn’t tell you. Their mission seems to be to create more hate and distrust between cyclists and motorists. They must be following what 0bama does: throw gasoline on the fire of controversy.
Drunken bike riding is a great idea...if you want to wind up being road-pizza.
Gotta fight for your “right” to block traffic.
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