After an absence of a few years I made it into Manhattan to get pictures. Of
course with the continued police crackdown the turnout is nowhere near what it
had been years past. But there were some costumes that I was able to get:

http://donwiss.com/pictures/HalloweenCM-2009/

=v= The world's leaders have chosen to hold their G20 Summit
in Pittsburgh, during Pittsburgh's Critical Mass.  Similarly,
last year's DNC *and* RNC, and of course the 2004 RNC in New
York, were timed to coincide with Critical Mass.

=v= I can only conclude that the powers that be are in desperate
need of community and conviviality.  Or they want to look cool
in front of their kids.  In 2004 we invited Republican delegates
to join the ride; maybe some of them were amongst the thousands
of Massers.  Might as well invite the G20 to Pittsburgh's CM.
     <_Jym_>

=v= A review of David Byrne's book by none other than
Chris Carlsson!

'Bicycle Diaries,' by David Byrne
	 Chris Carlsson, Special to The Chronicle
Friday, 18-Sep-2009 | San Francisco Chronicle | Page F-4

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/09/18/RV4I19G9B9.DTL

| [I]f you're a cyclist who appreciates the bicycle for the
| ways it helps to erode the atomization and social mediations
| imposed by cars, mass media and modern life in general, then
| you'll find in Byrne's ruminations a kindred spirit and a
| critical thinker who doesn't stop at the first obvious insight.
| As a free thinker, he doesn't always land in places that I
| agreed with, but his paths were enjoyable and provocative,
| not to mention quirky and personal.

     <_Jym_>

=v= In German, of course:

http://www.rad-spannerei.de/blog/2009/09/08/die-polizei-bei-der-leipziger-critic\
al-mass/

     <_Jym_>

=v= Critical Mass in Pakistan:

http://lahore.metblogs.com/2009/05/26/its-time-for-lahores-6th-critical-mass-cyc\
ling-event/

     <_Jym_>

http://tinyurl.com/t3rr0r

=v= A Critical Masser in D.C. scanned in a sidebar feature
to that _Post_ story:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jym/3176053960/

Near the bottom:

   Organization: Critical Mass
   Type: Security Threat Group
   Notes:
   Intentions: This idea is about asserting the cyclists right
   [sic] to the road and not denying the rights of others.

I'm not sure how the "Type" and "Intentions" make any sense
together.

=v= I posted this here before:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jym/503024293/

I'll note that this was the NYPD's very *first* briefing about
Critical Mass, from "intelligence" sources in Baltimore.

   BALTIMORE, MARYLAND (obtained from our intelligence sources)

   * Critical Mass -- Bike riders who protest in large numbers
     by riding very slowly in rush hour traffic to disrupt
     traffic.  They target automobiles in the urban environment.

How they got from the one description to the other is an
interesting question.
     <_Jym_>

=v= Check out this _Washington_Post_ story:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2009/01/03/ST2009010302013.ht\
ml
a.k.a.
http://tinyurl.com/t3rr0r

Long story, but here's the lead paragraph:

| The Maryland State Police surveillance of advocacy groups was
| far more extensive than previously acknowledged, with records
| showing that troopers monitored -- and labeled as terrorists
| -- activists devoted to such wide-ranging causes as promoting
| human rights and establishing bike lanes.

=v= They mean Amnesty International and Critical Mass.  After
all, Critical Mass = terrorism = bike lanes.

=v= The article mentions NYPD "intelligence" documents from the
2004 Republican National Convention.  One of these happened to
mention a Critical Mass "chapter" in Baltimore, Maryland:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jym/503024293/

Supposedly this "chapter" (whose website in Austin, Texas) was
going to come to NYC by bus.  Oh the humanity!
     <_Jym_>

--- In critical-mass@yahoogroups.com, Jym Dyer <jym@...> wrote:
>
> =v= All charges dismissed thanks to a video collective obtaining
> and publicizing NYPD misbehavior on YouTube.  Read the good news
> below.
>
> =v= The bad news is that this same video collective (and others,
> especially I-Witness Video) were subjected to harrassment and
> detainment by police at the RNC in the Twin Cities this year.
> Clearly the police don't like any evidence of their wrongdoing
> to surface, so they're killing the messenger instead of going
> after any actual perps.
>     <_Jym_>
>
> --
> Green Bay Steelers for Truth
>
> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?
f=/n/a/2008/09/05/national/a081753D77.DTL
>
>
> Charges dismissed against cyclist in YouTube shove
>  By SAMUEL MAULL
> Associated Press | Friday, 05-Sep-2008 11:08 PDT
>
> New York (AP) -- A judge dismissed charges Friday against the
> bicyclist who was body-checked and knocked to the pavement by
> a police officer in a widely viewed YouTube video.
>
> At the prosecution's request, Criminal Court Judge James Burke
> dropped a charge of resisting arrest against Christopher Long,
> 29, of Hoboken, N.J.
>
> Long was arrested July 25 during a Critical Mass bicycle ride
> through Times Square. The monthly bike rides are held around the
> world to draw attention to alternatives to motor vehicles.
>
> Police said Long was arrested because he was obstructing traffic
> and deliberately steered his bicycle into an officer.
>
> After the video emerged showing the policeman knocking Long to
> the ground, the officer, Patrick Pogan, was stripped of his
> badge and gun and assigned to desk duty. Police said Friday they
> were still investigating.
>
> The video had been viewed some 1.5 million times since it was
> posted on YouTube soon after the incident. It shows Pogan
> shoving Long off his bike near Times Square as Long tried to
> steer out of the way.
>
> As he left court, Long said he was happy not to be prosecuted
> and to have the case behind him. As for Pogan's account of
> events in the criminal complaint, he said, "The video speaks for
> itself."
>
> Long's lawyer, David B. Rankin, said, "We're just very lucky
> this videotape surfaced, and we're very thankful the DA's office
> did the right thing in dropping these charges."
>
> "This was a case where the officer's sworn testimony was
> contradicted by the videotape," Rankin said. "It raises serious
> questions about other cases that don't have the luxury of a
> videotape."
>
> In the same week the Long video surfaced, videotape emerged of
> two other incidents showing police officers beating up
> civilians. Those cases were being investigated by the police and
> the district attorney's office.
>
> Rankin said Long is considering a lawsuit against the city but
> had not yet decided.
>
> Alicia Maxey Greene, spokeswoman for the Manhattan district
> attorney, said no decision had been made about whether to
> prosecute Pogan.
>Having the police investigate these incidents is like having another
fox investigate chickens missing in the chicken coop!!

It's the 11th Anniversary of the Bay Bridge 6.

   http://guest.xinet.com/bike/photos/sfobb6.html

A bit of history of the movement for the Bay Bridge bicycle path...

    http://guest.xinet.com/bike/btbc/
    http://www.bikethebridge.org/
    http://guest.xinet.com/bike/

Is there anyone from Lexington Kentucky or the surrounding area who
would be interested in helping me get another critical mass going in
Lexington. I'm a freshman at UK who just moved to Lexington from
Frankfort. I was surprised that I havent seen flyers or heard word of
a CM in Lexington. So if there already is one going and I don't know
about it or if anyone wants to help me organize one drop me a line please!



Building Communities one pedal at a time,

Colby

=v= All charges dismissed thanks to a video collective obtaining
and publicizing NYPD misbehavior on YouTube.  Read the good news
below.

=v= The bad news is that this same video collective (and others,
especially I-Witness Video) were subjected to harrassment and
detainment by police at the RNC in the Twin Cities this year.
Clearly the police don't like any evidence of their wrongdoing
to surface, so they're killing the messenger instead of going
after any actual perps.
     <_Jym_>

--
Green Bay Steelers for Truth

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/09/05/national/a081753D77.\
DTL


Charges dismissed against cyclist in YouTube shove
	 By SAMUEL MAULL
Associated Press | Friday, 05-Sep-2008 11:08 PDT

New York (AP) -- A judge dismissed charges Friday against the
bicyclist who was body-checked and knocked to the pavement by
a police officer in a widely viewed YouTube video.

At the prosecution's request, Criminal Court Judge James Burke
dropped a charge of resisting arrest against Christopher Long,
29, of Hoboken, N.J.

Long was arrested July 25 during a Critical Mass bicycle ride
through Times Square. The monthly bike rides are held around the
world to draw attention to alternatives to motor vehicles.

Police said Long was arrested because he was obstructing traffic
and deliberately steered his bicycle into an officer.

After the video emerged showing the policeman knocking Long to
the ground, the officer, Patrick Pogan, was stripped of his
badge and gun and assigned to desk duty. Police said Friday they
were still investigating.

The video had been viewed some 1.5 million times since it was
posted on YouTube soon after the incident. It shows Pogan
shoving Long off his bike near Times Square as Long tried to
steer out of the way.

As he left court, Long said he was happy not to be prosecuted
and to have the case behind him. As for Pogan's account of
events in the criminal complaint, he said, "The video speaks for
itself."

Long's lawyer, David B. Rankin, said, "We're just very lucky
this videotape surfaced, and we're very thankful the DA's office
did the right thing in dropping these charges."

"This was a case where the officer's sworn testimony was
contradicted by the videotape," Rankin said. "It raises serious
questions about other cases that don't have the luxury of a
videotape."

In the same week the Long video surfaced, videotape emerged of
two other incidents showing police officers beating up
civilians. Those cases were being investigated by the police and
the district attorney's office.

Rankin said Long is considering a lawsuit against the city but
had not yet decided.

Alicia Maxey Greene, spokeswoman for the Manhattan district
attorney, said no decision had been made about whether to
prosecute Pogan.

=v= I've been told that the flyer, left out details about
today's ride.  Here's the scoop:

    Title:  Critical Mass in Denver for the DNC is on Wednesday
     Date:  Wednesday August 27, 2008
     Time:  6:00 pm - 7:00 pm
Location:  Seal Fountain Pool in Civic Center Park
    Notes:  PLEASE LEAVE ONE LANE OPEN and STOP AT ALL STOPLIGHTS -
            The police stated that if we do this they will
            not issue tickets.

=v= (The "Notes" part is kind of boilerplate text that normally
applies to the Denver ride, based on what police said a few
years back, and not specifically in regards to today's ride.)
     <_Jym_>

=v= Wot?  Not on Friday?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/greenbiker/2798353663/sizes/o/

     <_Jym_>

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/13/opinion/lweb13bikes.html

To the Editor:

Re "Police and a Cyclists' Group, and Four Years of Clashes"
(news article, Aug. 4), in which I am quoted as the director
of Time's Up, which promotes the Critical Mass rides but is
not involved in organizing them:

The function of Critical Mass is to create a safe space where
people can ride together. Group rides like Critical Mass play
an important role in generating new cyclists, who in turn become
everyday bike commuters. The ride grew steadily for a decade
until the crackdown after the 2004 Republican National
Convention in New York City.

The article reports that Police Commissioner Raymond W. Kelly
"said the Police Department wants to work with the riders."
By no means has the Police Department tried to work with us.
Critical Mass riders have been harassed, spied on, beaten,
arrested and even sued by the city. Yet we have prevailed in
the courtroom -- it has been proved over and over that police
statements do not match videotaped evidence.

We also contest Mr. Kelly's claim that Critical Mass riders
go against traffic. While it is true that the ride has no set
route, under normal circumstances, it does follow the traffic
flow.

Most appalling is Mr. Kelly's and the spokesman's assertion
that the ride was "hijacked" by an "anarchist group" before
the Republican convention. This is a baseless scare tactic.
Critical Mass has no leaders. The lack of control that Mr. Kelly
calls anarchy can be better termed community.

We are aware that the phenomenon of leaderless mass bike rides
can be perceived as something different and unusual to the
police. But that does not make it provocation or anarchy. It is
a celebration of what our streets could look like in a better
New York City.

	 Bill DiPaola
	 New York, Aug. 5, 2008

The writer is the executive director of Time's Up, an
environmental organization.


Related Link
~~~~~~~~~~~~
Police and a Cyclists' Group, and Four Years of Clashes:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/04/nyregion/04critical.html

=v= Happy Friday the 13th.  Today's issue of _The_Epoch_Times_,
a paper founded by the Falun Gong, has a cover story of
interest:  "The Upside of Soaring Fuel Prices."  Of even more
interest is that, in some print editions, this is accompanied
by a photo of a hilltop bike lift from Budapest's Critical Mass.

=v= You can find the article online, but with a completely
different photo:

http://en.epochtimes.com/news/8-6-10/71677.html

Look for a print edition in a newsbox near you, I guess.
     <_Jym_>

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2008/05/29/2008-05-29_bell_protests_to_reach_cri\
tical_mass_say.html

http://www.gothamgazette.com/blogs/wonkster/2008/05/29/shapton-joins-critical-ma\
ss/

=v= Crazy police attack last August on Minneapolis Critical
Mass.  Cops went nuts with tasers, and pulled the usual
trick of pressing bugs charges against those they attacked.
Here's a blog of the trial, verdict Not Guilty:

http://cmsupport.wordpress.com/

=v= Airport police in Minneapolis also tased a guy for
leaving the airport on a bike instead of in a car.  He's
got a case on appeal.  This behavior is worrisome, given
that Minneapolis hosts the Republican National Convention
this year.
     <_Jym_>

P.S.:  At least if you solicit sex at their airport with
a wide stance and toe-tapping, you won't get tased.  Maybe
that's why the Republicans chose Minneapolis this year.

Hello friends,

as you might have realized, 2008 is a leap year and the last friday of
february is 29th.

Here in Brazil we're trying to set up critical masses in some cities
using this "astrologic-mediatic" pretext.

Any plans around the world? Any special idea for this "once in a
lifetime critical mass"?

best wishes,

--
Thiago Benicchio
http://apocalipsemotorizado.net
skype: benicchio

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2008/01/12/18471874.php

re: http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com/2007/11/council-on-smcm.html
and: http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com/2006/02/bicycle-workshop.html

Regarding the "running of red lights", could it be considered that the corking
or riding through red lights may be a form of peaceful civil disobedience? Is
it possible that because traffic light are designed without the ability to
sense bicycle presence that they are unlawful devices which may also be
unconstitutional devices?

Are bicycles obligated to wait at these mechanical sensing traffic devices for
the presence of a car, to be able to go through the device when it finally
turns green?

Is this very much like forms of racial discrimination in which black people
were made to ride in the back of the bus? Or perhaps it is like other racial
segregation acts which made it difficult for "black" people to access public
faciilities, services, jobs, etc?

Is possible that the "car" is kind of like the "white supremest" system that
Dr. King spoke out against? And that Critical Mass can kind be seen as a kind
of civil disobedience and empowerment for thos that are being discriminated
against on the road, in parking facilities, and most especially the traffic
signal devices that can not detect the black person, so to speak, and only, by
design, can detect the "whites" that use the roads?

I play with this comparison as a means to illustrate that the issue of "running
red lights" is also a matter of unlawful discrimination against LAWFUL traffic,
particularly those riding bicycles.

Riding a bicycle on the streets generally agreed upon as a lawful act. And
traffic engineers have known for many years that their new traffic sensing
devices did not have capability to detect bicycles. And that this gross
violation of law, like racial discrimination that Dr. King spoke of, was TOO
unlawful, yet it went on and on for years.

And you might say that the end of racial discrimination and segregation ended
when Dr. King took his "critical mass" thought the streets of Montgomery
Alabama, or Atlanta Georgia. And that his critical mass of folks were under
physical assault for what the white supremacists thought was wrong. And that
they wanted get those people off their streets. And that some elected officials
engaged in conspiracy to remove those people. And sometimes those conspiracies
included engaging some police officers to do their bidding.

And Yet Dr. King proceeded forward, optimistic, with his dream... a dream of a
world in which this discrimination did not exist.

Dr. King, I have a dream, kind of like yours, except with a little twist.

And I am pretty sure that if Dr. King were present today that he would be
thrilled to ride in critical mass. I think he, like in his public awareness
events and critical masses of sorts, would want to end injustice, just like
many people riding in critical mass rides around the world want to end
injustice for those riding bikes for transportation on our public roads and
rights of way.

If you guys want, perhaps we can have a tour of some of these discriminatory
mechanical traffic signals. And perhaps we can video tape the experience for
possible future actions. Perhaps sending an edited version to city council
members to illustrate more clearly the plight of cycling in Santa Monica, when
the red light stays red for the bicyclist. And how it seems to magically turn
green for people in cars(wink)(smile).

I welcome further comment and thoughts.

Santa-Monica/West-L.A./Venice critical mass community forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/w-la-critical-mass

Thanks,
Michael
Cycle Santa Monica!
Empowering Cyclists, Skaters, and Pedestrians
In Santa Monica and the Westside
Using Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
Using Earth Friendly Renewable Fuels
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cyclesantamonica
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com


      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Get easy, one-click access to your favorites.
Make Yahoo! your homepage.
http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs

=v= In places like Chicago, New York, and the Bay Area there
are multiple Critical Mass rides for multiple neighborhoods,
boroughs, or towns, depending.  The rides are generally on
the first, second, third, or last Friday of the month, which
leaves a little in gap in five-Friday months like this one.

=v= One clever CMer in the East Bay decided that this extra
day is perfect for having an occasional CM in Emeryville,
a little sliver of a town next to Oakland and Berkeley.

=v= This year, that occasion lines up with Buy Nothing Day.
Buy Nothing Day is usually the last Friday of the month and
celebrated by San Francisco CM, but this year the Buy Nothing
Critical Mass is happening in mall-warted Emeryville.  See
below for details.
     <_Jym_>

=------------8<-------------Cut-Here-------------8<------------=

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/15/18454043.php

Title: 	  Buy Nothing Ride In Emeryville! Critical MASS!
Start Date/Time:  Friday, 23-Nov-2007, 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location Details: MacArthur BART (555 40th Street), Oakland, CA

As it seems, November has 5 fridays, as opposed to 4, this
means that there is no regularly planned Critical Mass Rides,
So we are organizing one for BUY NOTHING DAY!.

We choose emeryville for several reasons:  Most of what
Emeryville is built on (especially Bay Street) is an old
Indian burial ground, with 13 bodies just under Victoria's
Secret. Emeryville is also a shopping hub for most of the
East Bay, and I assure you it will be crowded.

We are meeting up at 4pm, Leaving shortly after at MacArthur
BART.  YOU ARE ON OHLONE LAND!

=------------>8-------------Cut-Here------------->8------------=

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/15/nyregion/15billy.html

Case Is Dropped Against Crusading Street Performer
	 By ANEMONA HARTOCOLLIS
New York Times | 15-Nov-2007

The Manhattan district attorney's office quietly dropped its
prosecution today of Reverend Billy, a street performer accused
of harassing police officers by reciting the First Amendment at
a rally in Union Square Park.

Prosecutors said today that they deliberately allowed the case
to be dismissed by failing to meet a court-ordered deadline to
file papers explaining why the arrest of Reverend Billy, whose
real name is William Talen, was justified.

"Sometimes not making a decision is a good decision," one
prosecutor said.

Judge Tanya R. Kennedy made it official at a brief hearing in
Criminal Court in Manhattan. "The people did not serve a written
response," she said, "so the motion to dismiss is granted on
default."

At the same time, Judge Kennedy dismissed separate charges
against Mr. Talen, who is the head of what he calls the Church
of Stop Shopping, for trespassing at a Starbucks during a
protest against corporate conformity.

"They essentially threw in the towel," one of Mr. Talen's
lawyers, Earl Ward, said after the hearing.

Today's hearing stemmed from Mr. Talen's arrest in June, after
he repeatedly recited the 45 words of the First Amendment
through an unamplified megaphone during a rally in support of
bike riders. The police said he refused to stop when they asked
him to, and followed them around.

Mr. Talen's case had been championed by Mr. Ward and Norman
Siegel, both civil rights lawyers, as a symbol of what they said
is the Bloomberg administration's hostility to public protest
and civil disobedience exhibited through measures like permit
requirements for even small public protests.

Mr. Siegel said the dismissal was not the end of the road for
Reverend Billy. He said he would file a federal lawsuit against
the city and the Police Department charging false arrest,
malicious prosecution and violation of Mr. Talen's free-speech
rights.

"We call this trial by inconvenience," Mr. Talen said, adding
that between the two cases he had been required to appear in
court six times and spend three nights in jail.

"There are a number of questions," Mr. Siegel said. "Who ordered
the arrest? Why put him through the system when he should get a
desk appearance ticket? Who made the decision to take five
months before getting the case dismissed?"

He called the case "a classic example of government abuse of
power."

Here's the follow-up on the Tucson Mass:

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/67090.php

No bicyclists ticketed in 'Critical Mass' ride

CARLI BROSSEAU
Tucson Citizen

More than 100 cyclists rode in Friday night's
"Critical Mass" ride through downtown and around the
university, and not a single rider was cited, a Tucson
police spokeswoman said.
Both the turnout and how it turned out were
unexpected.

Police expected about 600 people, Lt. Claudette Gross
said. Officers were deployed based on that figure, she
said. Twenty-two bicycle officers and 15 to 20
motorcycle officers accompanied riders, she said.
Because "Critical Mass" rides in other cities have
included a strong political message and riders have
purposely impeded traffic, there were rumblings that a
confrontation with police was possible.

News of the ride was spread through a Craigslist
posting and word of mouth.

Members of the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle Advisory
Committee spoke out before the race about
confrontational riding.

Eric Post, a Pima County representative for the BAC,
said as cyclists were arriving at El Presidio Park,
where the ride began: "The goal here is safety. We
want this to be a positive experience."

Some riders were jittery because several cyclists were
arrested during a group ride of about 300 Tuesday.

"Some people may have been scared off," said Stephanie
Lu, who rides regularly with the Tuesday group. "I'm a
bit disappointed with the turnout."
"It's something that just got too popular," another
rider, Tom Rossi, said. "We needed the cops for
safety, but when the cops came, it was no fun
anymore."

Several cyclists complained that during Tuesday's ride
they were forced to breathe motorcycle fumes because
of the police escort. But Friday, motorcycle officers
appeared only at intersections.

"It is so much better this time," said Jeremy Roggow,
who rode wearing a Viking helmet. "Once they saw they
didn't have to tackle us, they adjusted, and it was so
much better.

"This event is about bicycling, so to have bike cops
riding with us is cool."

Other cyclists thought the police presence was counter
to the spirit of Critical Mass.

"It turns into an impromptu parade," said Jonathan
Horst, who rides his bike to work daily. "It's keeping
us safe, but it's also impeding traffic more than it
would have been otherwise."

There was hooting, hollering, howling and honking, but
foot and car traffic seemed supportive.
The closest the event came to confrontation was when
one rider tapped on a car that he thought came too
close. Police asked for his identification but did not
cite him.

Bicyclists can be cited for impeding traffic, riding
side by side across an entire lane or not riding as
close to the curb as possible, Sgt. Decio Hopffer
said.

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/local/66916.php

"Critical Mass" bicycle ride expected Friday evening
	 RYN GARGULINSKI
Tucson Citizen | 26-Oct-2007

A "Critical Mass" bicycle ride scheduled for downtown Tucson
during rush hour on Friday has some folks bracing themselves
before the first pedal has even turned.

The message of Critical Mass rides is traditionally to promote bicycling.

While bicycling has long been a healthy, economical and
enjoyable way to travel, a few confrontative bicyclists in the
ride could easily give the whole fleet of Tucson cyclists a bad
name, said Diana Tolton, chair of the Tucson-Pima County Bicycle
Advisory Committee.

The announcement for the ride appeared on the popular Web site
Craigslist. No organization or sponsors are tied to the ride and
no contact information other than the anonymous Craigslist
e-mail address is given.

The listing invites bicyclists to show up at 6 p.m. Friday in
front of El Presidio Park.

"We support the ride if and only if the Critical Mass ride
participants act in a way that is friendly, safe and abides
by the traffic laws," Tolton wrote in a letter the advisory
committee sent to Tucson police Chief Richard Miranda.

"We do have great concerns over the potential for Critical Mass
behavior based on motorists' past experiences."

A case in point is a demonstration ride of about 300 near
the University of Arizona last week that resulted in several
arrests, police spokesman Sgt. Decio Hopffer said.

Another was a group bicycle ride in November 2002 that resulted
in 16 arrests. The cyclists were noted on police reports to have
blocked traffic on Speedway Boulevard "up to 10 car lengths."

Bicyclists can be cited for impeding the flow of traffic, riding
side by side across an entire lane or not riding as close to the
curb as possible, Hopffer said.

"We support people who exercise their First Amendment rights and
encourage them to do so peacefully and lawfully," Hopffer said.

Tolton said Tucson is already a bicycle-friendly place, with or
without such demonstrations.

"In Tucson, there's just tons of evidence that bicycling is able
to occur without any conflicts," she said.

She said large rides organized by the Greater Arizona Bicycling
Association happen every weekend. They are so non-confrontational,
she added, nobody even knows they are going on.

Craig Honeker, who lives in Vail and rides his bicycle an
average of 150 miles per week, answered the e-mail inquiry sent
to the anonymous Craigslist address.When asked whether the
Critical Mass ride was scheduled downtown during rush hour on
a Friday to make motorists mad, he responded:

"I certainly hope not."

He said he did not know where the original posting for the
Critical Mass ride in Tucson came from but he saw it about 10
days ago and then it disappeared.

He just reposted it, he said.

"I've never participated in a CM," he said of why he went to the
reposting trouble. "I think it would be a great thing if it's a
positive ride."

Honeker said he'll be at the ride Friday, as will Tolton with
other advisory committeee representatives, and various officers
from Tucson police. There is no way to estimate how many others
will attend.

Hi all,

GREAT Berkeley Critical Mass ride last night, well over 3 hours!  Despite the
day of much rain, and a relatively small group, it was an amazing time.

A video, news story, one photo, and discussion is posted here:

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/13/18453706.php?show_comments=1#1845375\
1

(Scroll up to get to the video, which will play on demand. I gave a link to the
latest comment rather than just the story so you'll get them as well. Not sure
if any further comments will appear without refreshing or clicking on
"comments.")

Jason

p.s. I noticed there were some cooool developments in Sacramento and Modesto,
in two other "East Bay" stories at indybay.org.

Great flyers for Modesto's Halloween Ride:
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/11/18453480.php

Great news that Sacramento Mass is alive anew and growing!
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/09/30/18450601.php?show_comments=1#1845087\
2

Michael Burton wrote:
"Obituary
Chicago Critical Mass
1997 - 2007"
.


That seems like a bit of proganda. The report has conflicting info, such as
that the ride is bigger than ever, and that there are some indivuals thinking
that it has grown too big.

It seems to me that if there are people continuing to ride en masse in Chicago
once a month, that there still is a critical mass ride.

According to that report it appears the Chicago Critical Mass is very much
alive and kicking... And according to http://www.chicagocriticalmass.org the
next Chicago critical mass is October 26, 2007.

I guess the Chicago Critical Mass is like Jesus.. I dies and then is born again
on the last Friday of the next month.

I suppose the folks riding in the Chicago critical Mass can all dress like
Jesus in October for the Halloween ride (smile)

Santa-Monica/Venice/West-L.A. critical mass community forum:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/w-la-critical-mass

Michael
Cycle Santa Monica!
Empowering Cyclists, Skaters, and Pedestrians
In Santa Monica and the Westside
Using Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
Using Earth Friendly Renewable Fuels
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cyclesantamonica
http;//cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com


      
________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Don't let your dream ride pass you by. Make it a reality with Yahoo! Autos.
http://autos.yahoo.com/index.html

This past summer, a couple skaters organized.. or perhaps by impromptu.. had
their own critical mass ride/roll... when they took over the streets for a
while. See a video clip from that day at:
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com/2007/10/skateboard-critical-mass.html

Santa-Monica/West-L.A./Venice critical mass community forum
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/w-la-critical-mass

Thanks,
Michael
Cycle Santa Monica!
Empowering Cyclists, Skaters, and Pedestrians
In Santa Monica and the Westside
Using Environmentally Friendly Vehicles
Using Earth Friendly Renewable Fuels
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cyclesantamonica
http://cyclesantamonica.blogspot.com



________________________________________________________________________________\
____
Building a website is a piece of cake. Yahoo! Small Business gives you all the
tools to get online.
http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/webhosting

=v= That was it, last Friday, the grand finale!  10 years of
Chicago Critical Mass have come to an end, as per a decree from
the hooded cabal that has always secretly controlled the ride.

=v= So anyway, coming up this Friday:

Evanston Critical Mass:
http://www.bikechicago.info/ecm/

Oak Park Critical Mass:
http://oakparkcriticalmass.blogspot.com/

Pilsen Critical Mass:
http://www.bikechicago.info/PCM/PLVCM.html

Wicker Park Critical Mass:
http://chicagocriticalmass.org/wickerparkcriticalmass

AND THE BRAND SPANKIN' NEW Hyde Park Critical Mass!

=v= All four will depart from their respective locations
and meet up somewhere in Chicago:

http://chicagocriticalmass.org/1stfridays

=v= But just remember, Chicago Critical Mass is dead.
The next one would have been on October 26th, but it's
dead.  Though come to think of it, isn't that right
around the time of year when the dead rise from their
graves?  Nahh.  Coudln't be.
     <_Jym_>