cop body-slams cyclist

[PinkBike]

but it's time for the justice system to sort this out...not us.

good luck. it's a legal system, not a justice system.

[withm]

Just to play devil's advocate.... The videos making the rounds don't have any sound. We don't know if the victim was in fact taunting the police officer, daring the "pig" to get in his way, or even if he might have been voicing obscenities towards the police. We are quick to assume the victim is innocent I don't think any of us was actually there and we just don't know.

On the other hand, these Critical Mass Rides probably don't do anything to further the cause of responsible cyclists either.

I've gotten so that I'd rather not do club rides because even in a supposedly well behaved group, there are always one or two idiots who persist in riding all over the road, or fail to fall into single file when "car back" is announced.

A large charity ride with several thousand riders is a little different though many of those participants will still exhibit poor cycling behavior. But with several thousand riders, the motorists will just have to learn to relax and deal with it. I hope they will use the extra time to contemplate the benefits of cycling and wonder why they are in their cars when they too could possibly be on the bike instead.
Dream on.

[OakLeaf]

Just to play devil's advocate.... We don't know if the victim was in fact taunting the police officer... On the other hand, these Critical Mass Rides probably don't do anything to further the cause of responsible cyclists either.

If a cop doesn't have the self-restraint to refrain from attempting to cause serious physical injury to someone who's taunting him, or who's a member of a group that engages in rude behavior, they shouldn't have a badge (and especially a gun).

If a private citizen physically assaults someone who's taunting them, that's a crime, that's not self-defense. Even more so when it's someone who's paid to use self-restraint.

[Mr. Bloom]

good luck. it's a legal system, not a justice system.

By logical implication, you're saying that there is NO justice in the system. Don't throw out the baby with the bath water. No one said it's perfect, but it's considerably better than the anarchy tactics of Critical Mass.

Neither are all police perfect...they are human too! But, I'm confident that there is a system that sorts this out... demonstrations like this simply place more strain on the system.

But honestly, one should judge NYC Critical Mass after riding on Manhattan streets for at least couple of months. Otherwise, there is a huge difference between riding in a small town or rural areas and Manhattan. They both have their dangers and 'hairy moments' but they are just different...

Martina

Martina, that's a fair statement. But, there's a reason that I haven't been to NYC since 1987...everything is difficult there - getting a taxi, walking, the subway, expenses, crime, getting a quiet nights sleep...People choose to live there, I don't even choose to go there.

[rij73]

But, there's a reason that I haven't been to NYC since 1987...everything is difficult there - getting a taxi, walking, the subway, expenses, crime, getting a quiet nights sleep...People choose to live there, I don't even choose to go there.

Hey Mr. Silver, c'mon back! The city is EXTREMELY different than it was in 1987. Much cleaner, safer, all around nicer. Of course you don't *have to*, but don't judge NYC by the 1987 version.

[Mr. Bloom]

Hey Mr. Silver, c'mon back! The city is EXTREMELY different than it was in 1987.

I absolutely believe you We have talked about it...perhaps my point relating to the inherent difficulty of density was lost in my reach back to 1987.

If we come, will you take us riding (the Critical Manners way)?

[Boise Birder]

I see some of the situations that have occurred recently - Seattle critical mass ride, in Portland, a biker holding on for dear life to windshield wiper, and now New York.

First, on New York - several versions of the video are out there. The longer versions seem to convince me the policeman overreacted. What he did was criminal - he should be in jail, and not a cop.

Second, I have many close friends who are policeman, who have risked their lives to save others. They work hard, are paid little and take lots of abuse. Yes, there are bad apples, but in my neck of the woods, they str some of the most hard working, empathetic people I know and they see some of the worst S___ anyone could see and deal with, and on a daily basis.

Ok, beyond that, Critical Mass isn't my style. I think more Gahndi and Mother Theresa.

Critical Manners are my type of bicyclists!

[rij73]

I absolutely believe you We have talked about it...perhaps my point relating to the inherent difficulty of density was lost in my reach back to 1987.

If we come, will you take us riding (the Critical Manners way)?

I know what you mean about the crowds... No way around that I'm afraid. But, absolutely we can go for a ride! I'm all about safe riding in the city. There are some lovely rides to be had along the river, through the parks, and across the Brooklyn Bridge. I do it all on a road bike.

[OakLeaf]

Hate to... (apologize in advance for the alliteration) burst your bubble, BoiseBirder but Gandhi was more the Critical Mass type. Nonviolent does NOT mean nonconfrontational! And there were plenty of people who purported to agree with his goals but found his methods (and MLK's) just plain "rude."

Not meaning to suggest that cyclists' rights are anywhere near racial equality or national self-determination in importance! But food for thought nevertheless. "Civil disobedience" isn't the same as "civil behavior."

[Mr. Bloom]

Hate to... (apologize in advance for the alliteration) burst your bubble, BoiseBirder but Gandhi was more the Critical Mass type. Nonviolent does NOT mean nonconfrontational! And there were plenty of people who purported to agree with his goals but found his methods (and MLK's) just plain "rude."

While "Civil Disobedience" may involve the disobedience of laws in non-violent ways, it is at its core "passive" in its aggression.

When Critical Mass encircles a car, verbally assaulting the occupant, this is "active" in its aggression. While Gandhi may have engaged in tactics perceived as "rude", his own standards included principles of:

• not even harboring anger in your heart while resisting
• willingness to SUFFER the anger of the opponent
• voluntarily submiting to arrest and not resisting the confiscation of property
• protecting your own oppressor with your life if necessary

I do not find these principles evident in many Critical Mass events. This was just this week:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/htm...reading27.html

Oakleaf - I respect that you were trying to challenge perspective, but I do believe that:

• Gandhi's "civil disobedience" requires that one be "civil"
• Gandhi & MLK were leaders in being civil; my research doesn't find much of a leader in Critical Mass or its events and its evolved into an anarchist type outreach.