Minivan’s rude introduction to Critical Smash — I’ve run into these San Francisco jerk-offs more than once and find them to be the most arrogant creeps on the planet. There used to be a group of these jerks who’d do this in Berkeley too. The idea is that these folks do not like cars and demand that everyone ride a bike. Until we all knuckle under to their demands they will continue these traffic stopping protests. Exactly why this isn’t considered terrorism (by today’s definition) is beyond me.
It was supposed to be a birthday night out for the kids in San Francisco, but instead turned into a Critical Mass horror show — complete with a pummeled car, a smashed rear window and little children screaming in terror.
The spontaneous Critical Mass bike rides, in which thousands of free-spirited cyclists roam the city, have been a fixture on the last Friday night of the month since the early 1990s. But even bike-weary cops, who have seen their share of traffic disturbances and minor skirmishes, weren’t prepared for what happened during the latest exercise of pedal power.
related links:
critical Mass non-website
“”We sit there and they just go right through the red lights,” Sgt. Callejas said. “What else can we do? Arrest one rider while 500 keep going?”
This is the most asinine thing a cop has ever said. (And that’s saying a lot!)
So if 500 people rob a bank he’s just going to let them do it? If 500 people rape a woman he’s just going to stand there and watch? If 500 people commit murder, he’s just going to eat his donut?!
We’re talking about a MASS of 500 people. Surround them with officers wearing riot gear, hit them with batons, spray them with gas, haul their asses to fucking jail! How fricken hard is that?!
I have been unfortunate enough to be stuck as a pedestrian in the middle of a critical mass in NYC. It took all my patience to not let the rage build up in me. I do understand that in a city like NYC, that is not bike friendly, that things need to change to make it safer for cyclists. Making the traffic in a city unsafe for a night a month is not the way to do it though.
In response to #24 (A_B)
You took my comment out of context, removing the F*A*R in front of “Left”. I put this group at 10%-15% of the voting population effectively nuking your entire argument and citing the Pew poll and further statements about alienating 50% of the population. It is very important to keep things in context, don’t you think?
“seem”
**so much for intuition?? I’m usually pretty good at reading somebody after a little bit of conversation.
““It seems that those in the middle of the political spectrum are ignorant wishy-washy fools.””
**I said Independent – not moderate. Moderates always look for middle ground. I have strong opinions both Left and Right. Hardly wishy-washy.
“That conclusion leads to action, posting on a blog deeply offensive and ignorant comments.”
**If a simple personal observation is so incredibly offensive to you, it might be a good idea to stay off the internet – and away from free speech.
Todd (apparently, quite offensive)
Speaking of Mrs Hill’s “thump thump”, that was the sound created when the minivan ran over the bike and injured the cyclist, according to witnesses. It was the cyclists (all dozen of them, not the “thousands” mentioned in the skewed editorial) who called 911 to report the “thump thump.” The driver tried to flee the scene after hitting the cyclist, so the cyclists surrounded the van to prevent her escape. One idiot broke out her window. That was horrible for him to do with the kids in the van. It was also horrible for the Mother to commit assault while her children looked on.
I say, load up a battery of gatling guns with rubber bullets, and when the “critical mass” goes through a red light, just mow them down.
Who boy! Mess with our ‘Merican driving and risk a bullet through the head!
“Terrorists” ?!?! Inconvenience, for sure. But Jeeze Louise you guys!
This thread is proof-positive that most Americans really need to toughen up and get some perspective on the world.
Ha ha! “Mow them down” Are you 4 yrs old? When I hit middle age will I vent my rage with vacuous statements posted to an internet comment section? Or will I still be riding my bike, and healthy? That article had me feeling bad. Your comments remind me why critical mass exists. Now I am happy.
I know, too late to post. But too controversial to just let violence have the last word.
the average level of driving skill in this country is pathetic. It’s just the same with cyclists.
[Jerks] are [Jerks]. Doesn’t matter what they ride.
Comment by Gregory — 4/4/2007 @ 1:31 pm
I must agree, and I’d like to believe that nary a violent [Jerk] posts to this blog. Violence is not a solution on the road nor is it appropriate in a blog — pen and sword, etc.
Does anyone have an idea for a solution, or is this going to escalate into road rage death?
Just my 2 cents (2 new gold dollars) worth. No flames intended.
Can’t say I agree with John– this is not terrorism, it’s simply a traffic misdemeanor on a mass scale. Rubber bullets, fire houses, and riot cops aren’t the answer. If I were running the show in SF, I’d simply set up checkpoints along the critical mass route, and if the cyclists are observed breaking the law (running through the red light, running against traffic, riding on the sidewalk), simply funnel them in and hand them a citation, one by one. If anyone wants to get violent, just keep a paddy wagon on hand. Yes, some cyclists will get away from the dragnet, but if it’s applied evenly and regularly, the message will eventually sink in.
For the record, I’m a cycle-commuter in Boston, one of the least bike-friendly major cities in the US. I also observe traffic laws– I ride with the flow of traffic, I use signals when able, I observe traffic lights and stop signs, I use head and tail lights during the evenings… I even wear a helmet, an act I consider approximately akin to snapping on a seatbelt. Needless to say, the problems I have with automobile and pedestrian traffic are a drop in the bucket compared to the difficulties I have with other cyclists– I hardly go a day without almost being hit by a cyclist who’s in the process of running a red light, darting off the sidewalk, or (this one is REALLY alarming and confusing) coming right at me, directly against traffic.
In fact, my sole traffic accident (car OR bike) happened when I was on the bike and was struck by a cyclist darting off the sidewalk against a red light. I’m all for improving conditions for cyclists, but groups like critical mass remind me that sometimes change must come from within.
San Francisco fruitcakes…. Go Figure
“Can’t say I agree with John– this is not terrorism, it’s simply a traffic misdemeanor on a mass scale. ”
is it?
Destruction of property is criminal. They also used force and intimidation tactics. They broke state criminal laws. So by the legal definition they are terrorists.
SEC. 802. DEFINITION OF DOMESTIC TERRORISM.
(a) DOMESTIC TERRORISM DEFINED- Section 2331 of title 18, United States Code, is amended–
(1) in paragraph (1)(B)(iii), by striking `by assassination or kidnapping’ and inserting `by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping’;
(2) in paragraph (3), by striking `and’;
(3) in paragraph (4), by striking the period at the end and inserting `; and’; and
(4) by adding at the end the following:
`(5) the term `domestic terrorism’ means activities that–
`(A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
`(B) appear to be intended–
`(i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
`(ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
`(iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
#31 – We’re talking about a MASS of 500 people. Surround them with officers wearing riot gear, hit them with batons, spray them with gas, haul their asses to fucking jail! How fricken hard is that?!
Comment by SN — 4/4/2007 @ 3:37 pm
Well… Actually… It is very hard. It’s also very expensive, and absurdly disproportionate.
You know… This country will fucking suck as soon as this vengeance minded, anger driven mentality is codified into law. Bicyclists break a window and a little girl cries… so yes, by all means, let’s get a swat team involved. That’s rational. That’s pragmatic. That’ll solve the issue.
Hell… lets just go start tasering the shit out of grumpy kids in the library. Maybe we could just start beating the crap out of jaywalkers.
Damn man… I wanna move to a country that doesn’t over react with disproportionate knee jerk violence to every little thing… like Maylasia.
#36 This thread is proof-positive that most Americans really need to toughen up and get some perspective on the world.
Comment by Greg Allen — 4/4/2007 @ 9:34 pm
Jesus Freakin’ Christ Greg… You can say that again.
“Bicyclists break a window and a little girl cries… so yes, by all means, let’s get a swat team involved. That’s rational. That’s pragmatic. That’ll solve the issue.”
No, they should be forced to pay restitution in full. Saying just a window was broken is spin. It does not cost $5,000+ to fix a fucking window.
42. “That’ll solve the issue.”
It would solve the issue. If the cops really cracked down on the issue, no one would do it again. How many times would you endure a beating and tear gassing because you wanted to disrupt traffic?! Once? Twice? Maybe three times?
Other crimes, such as bank robbery or murder, involve either cash or acts of intense emotions. There the threat of severe punishment doesn’t outweigh the perceived benefit. It’s the same thing with minor crimes too, like a mugging or stealing someone’s purse. The criminal is so focused on getting his next drug fix that he really doesn’t care about getting arrested.
But riding a bike in traffic has neither a cash payout or an intense emotional fulfillment. Sure, it fills an emotional need, the “I’m so much better than everyone because I drive a bike” emotion, but not an intense need that would equate to murder or getting your next fix.
If the police in San Fransisco really wanted to crack down they could and it would disappear.
“I wanna move to a country that doesn’t over react with disproportionate knee jerk violence to every little thing…”
Maybe, just maybe, what you perceive as a “little thing” is not a little thing to everyone else. I consider a mass of 500 people egregiously violating the law to be a VERY serious thing. And not even remotely analogous to a single person in a library or a single person crossing the street. The fact that you even see such an analogy makes me wonder about your mental state and capacity.
Simple problems call for simple solutions:
Step 1) Gas mask on.
Step 2) Pepper spray on full blast, applied in a wide, sweeping motion.
Done. Effective, non-lethal, proportionate reaction.
Thank you #12.
#45 – Well… Okay…
Your idea worked great at Kent State. Enjoy the tax hike that pays for the settlement after a few of these guys are killed by trigger happy cops.
And if a few of these posts are to be believed, the bikers were actually trying to stop a van from leaving the scene of an accident. Almost all of you say the media is biased and you don’t trust it, but since the cyclists are “liberals” and painted as villians you are more than happy to just take the story as gospel in this case. How convienient for you.
But more than that, your world sucks. It blows goats. It’s mainstream and lockstepped and pedestrian and law abiding and never challenges anything and its boring. You wanna live on a beige planet, be my guest. I’d rather stick a hot poker in my eye than to live in your world.
I don’t like 90% of what the average person likes. I don’t think sparkly shopping malls are nice. I don’t think the Olive Garden is a good place to eat. I think Vegas was better when the mob ran it and Times Square was better before it was Disneyfied. I think I put up with a lot of bullshit in your homogenized happy world of goodness and bunnies, maintained in an orderly fashion by the threat of violence. That a bunch of people spontaniously clog the streets of a city with bikes once in a while breaks up the monotany. I like it. I didn’t really like it all that much before because it seemed dangerous, but you’ve sold me on it. I want sudden and impactful disruptions of the status quo’s gears on a regular basis. A little revolution every now and again is a good thing.
If that van didn’t hit a bike and try to flee, then someone owes that driver five grand and an apology to the girl. If the van did, someone need only apologize to the child. But if it makes people this angry, it’s gotta be a good thing to do.
Thank you for showing me the light.
I was feeling rather uncharitable towards Americans when I did that last post. I just recently got back from Pakistan where I had seen some serious suffering and oppression.
It will only take me a a week-or-so to start complaining about the “horrors” of traffic delays and being “outraged” that the waiter got order wrong twice.
I’m kind of surprised that a few of these critical mass guys haven’t been killed — not murdered but just run over. Seems inevitable.
47. “Your idea worked great at Kent State.”
God, if you don’t know your history don’t quote from history. There was NOTHING illegal going on at Kent State. There was a very small peaceful protest when, for no reason whatsoever, the national guards started shooting students.
How is that even remotely analogous to a mass of 500 on crime spree?! You may believe this is some sort of protest, but it is not. If I disagree with our banking system, I do not have the right to rob banks in protest. That’s exactly what these guys are doing. They don’t like cars so they illegally try to stop cars. If they want to protest they can carry signs and give speeches. That’s what the kids were doing at Kent State.
“Enjoy the tax hike that pays for the settlement after a few of these guys are killed by trigger happy cops.”
God, you’re ignorant of the law too. A city is not liable for any action of a cop while he’s on duty. Stopping a mass of 500 criminals is certainly in the line of duty.
“I’d rather stick a hot poker in my eye than to live in your world.”
Well, I have to completely agree with you there.
“I think I put up with a lot of bullshit in your homogenized happy world of goodness and bunnies, maintained in an orderly fashion by the threat of violence.”
Wow, you described the event perfectly. A mass of 500 people using violence and the threat of violence to bring about their homogenized happy world of goodness and bicycle riding.
“That a bunch of people spontaniously clog the streets of a city with bikes once in a while breaks up the monotany.”
We know that one car out of the entire incident was damaged by five grand, let’s be conservative and think that maybe only 20 other vehicles met the same fate. You actually believe that destruction of $100,000 merely breaks up the monotony?! If you really believe that, kindly tell us your address so we can kindly break up your monotony someday.
45# “If that van didn’t hit a bike and try to flee, then someone owes that driver five grand and an apology to the girl. If the van did, someone need only apologize to the child. But if it makes people this angry, it’s gotta be a good thing to do.
Thank you for showing me the light. ”
If that was the case:
Either way the dude who trashed the car has to pay for the damage. Nothing gives him the right to perform vigilante justice. Also the person diving the car covers any damages done to the biker.
#49 “We know that one car out of the entire incident was damaged by five grand, let’s be conservative and think that maybe only 20 other vehicles met the same fate.”
Why even speculate when there is nothing to base the speculation on?
SN,
Since when is riding a bike on a city street a criminal offense?
Since when is joining your friends and those who also want to ride their bikes criminal activity.
Since when is fleeing the scene of an accident NOT a criminal activity?
Traffic offenses are not criminal offenses unless they fall under the Criminal Code, which only the worst offenses do. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a criminal offense.
If the police want to ticket the bike riders then do it. Don’t complain and call them criminals when they aren’t. You, of all readers should know better.
My account of this incident: This was towards the end of the ride (after splitting off and dissipating). We had about 30 people by the time we were leaving Japantown when I heard a noise, which I could even hear over the music, and I turned my head to see a minivan on my left just having run over a bike and saw the rider on the ground. Riders nearby yelled at the driver to stop and the minivan just sped away. Many people in the ride chased after the van and surrounded it after catching up with it at the red light. The driver had her hand pressed on the horn the entire time. The cops got there pretty much right away as they were following right behind us. I rode away with the rest of the ride but some people stayed behind to deal with the cops. I didn’t see the rear window get smashed but I can say that I only saw the couple sitting in the front of the minivan as the rest of the windows were heavily tinted and we could not see that there was anyone else in the vehicle.
If anyone cares, you can see that the windows were tinted in this video of the awful KRON4 news report:
http://tinyurl.com/27v4pf
hurting people is not okay, but stopping traffic for a couple hours once a week is fine! the other day i saw a cabbie intentionally hit a bike messenger in my hometown, chicago. until people learn to share the road, terrorists we will be!
People in cars freak out if they have to slow down or even wait 30 seconds. What is wrong with those people?
It’s starting to come out that this woman ran over a cycle, and was pretty much plowing through the crowd.
Where is the outrage over the cyclists that get run over all the time.
I drive a car and I’ve never had a cyclist problem.
I also ride a bike and I have car problems all the time.
I see how your audience here has some enmity for cyclists. They are a radical bunch. Some might even go so far as to terrorize. however many of the posters on this blog condone running cyclists over, hopefully in jest. Reality check here folks… everyone is entitled to the roadways. They were not simply built for cars but, pedestrians and cyclists also. Call it what you will, in california we call it the Vehicle code. I live in sf. And i am a pedestrian, and i have to stick up for my rights daily. The lady had driven over a bicycle, probably out of panic. The crowd out of fear and panic reacted by vandalizing her car. I feel that a mother should have better judgement than to try to drive through a crowd when she is responsible for her passengers.
Wow thats amazing, how can people be that rude?