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 ...
Oh goodie! Governor Deval Patrick (idiot par excellence), of MA wants to make MA more bike friendly. This sort of nonsense will be coming to Boston in no time flat.
Ahhh , but the police aren’t enforcing said traffic laws in regards to these Eco - Terrorists . So what are the motorists to do ?
Wait, a member of the liberal MSM criticizing the bikers? The sky must be falling.
Trillions of people who engage in hyperbole should be tortured and killed, because hyperbole is worse than Nazism.
I think that there are two groups of cyclists. The Armstrong posers who tend to obey the laws and spend big bucks on their bikes , and then these idiotic eco - Hippies who obey no laws and try to provoke altercations .
Just as long as he knows that most bikes will have to be left in garages and houses during a winter Noreaster, which would mean people are going to flock the streets with cars and cause even more traffic gridlock, then fine, make Boston more bike-friendly.
What a feminine thing for a man to say. What a fag.
If we didn't have so many young heroes out in the sandbox showing daily that they are as great a generation as America has ever produced I would think we are lost as a country.
Regards
As a bicycle rider myself, I’d suggest that a broomstick would provide a more focused response than would thumbtacks.
I’m a 3rd type. A guy that obeys the laws, spends moderate bucks on my bikes and who sprays mud on pretentious road bikers who think they’re the second coming of Lance Armstrong with his mountain bike.
How about $1500.00. I know some one who just bought one for that amount.

Here's a stock picture of my baby.
Except the laws of all 50 states say otherwise.
In California, it’s illegal for bicycles to use the sidewalks.
I don’t get the no sidewalk rule. I as a bicyclist hate riding on the roads because nobody can drive well and I’m always at risk of being in an accident with these crappy drivers. Even if it costs me a fine, I will always ride on the sidewalk because I would rather break the law and see another day in court than obey the law and not see another day.
Lol , Well we need more of your type in that case .
We mainly have Armstrong posers in my neck of the woods.
Our version of Critical Mass does it on Vespas and other assorted scooters , and is it ever annoying .
In some states, it’s illegal for bicycles to use sidewalks regardless of the availability of bicycle lanes.
They tried to pull this stuff in Manhattan, but after spending the night at Rikers most of them wised up. They were offered jury trials, but most plead out and paid a fine.
The author’s previous piece on Minneapolis’ Critical Massholes can be found at the link below. Interesting to note that last week’s ride, which snarled downtown traffic intentionally, included two Minneapolis City Councilmen. And an aide to the Mayor was arrested during violent confrontations during last August’s bike ride. Maybe these spoiled-child hippie eco-freaks need to run up against some other “riders”...think the Hell’s Angels might be interested? :)
http://www.startribune.com/kersten/story/1463278.html
}:-)4
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