Just Ice in the Streets

If you are reading this blog, you probably have already been made aware of the recent judicial ruling regarding the parade regulation created by the NYPD in their attempts to control Critical Mass in New York City since 2004. The plaintiffs of the case also attempt to call foul on the police's alleged profiling and selective enforcement activities against suspected Critical Mass participants.

Here is a round-up of some of the media coverage. Be sure to check out the numerous and contentious comments which accompany these:

5BBC, Streetsblog, Gothamist, NY Times, Bike Snob NYC, Bike Blog NYC

Here's a taste of some of the testimony given by police officers at the Federal Courthouse last May, through the eyes of a court-room sketch-artist:


"Chief Tuller believes that cyclists must ride about 3 feet from parked cars, but can't recall why he believes that!"


"Deputy Inspector DeQuatro believes the NYPD is protecting the free speech of cyclists and keeping pedestrians safe."

Of course there are many tedious transcripts of the case on the 5BBC website to wade through. The casual reader of all this information might agree there is a legitimate argument for requiring a parade permit. But who organizes Critical Mass? Who will apply for a permit? Who is willing to be liable for the actions of autonomous individuals who happen to use the same mode of transport? And why is this "law" only applicable on a few nights of the month?

The reality of Critical Mass in NYC , especially in these colder months, is that more than 10 people is a huge turnout. Yet, as this video demonstrates, Bloomberg seems to insist on throwing away tax-payer dollars in order to degrade and humiliate people who chose to ride a bike. NYPD doesn't need the approval of a federal court to stop Critical Mass.

Police officers who show up to Critical Mass have to tow the line that they are doing it for the safety of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

Is it really safe (or constitutional) to ride scooters against the flow of traffic in order to follow a few people walking with bicycles on the sidewalk?
Does blocking up two lanes of the street in order to crowd a group of cyclists onto the sidewalk keep traffic flowing safely?

Is it a wise use of tax-dollars to pay for the salaries of officers and the fuel for motor vehicles in this way?
Maybe consistent enforcement of actual traffic laws the other 29 days of the month would make the streets of New York safer for everyone. Maybe the facilitation of a spontaneous traffic event would keep the streets moving. Maybe tax dollars could be spent on bombs to kill people in other places, instead of ensuring that cars keep killing people here.

I hope Judge Kaplan will come out and see how it feels to ride a bike in NYC on the last Friday of the month, or any day for that matter. I hope you will come out this Friday to see what is going on for yourself.

Maybe together we can do something healthy, safe, and fun. Mmmmmaybe.