Still We Ride: Indymedia: CALL TO OBEY TRAFFIC RULES DURING CRITICAL MASS

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October 27, 2004

Indymedia: CALL TO OBEY TRAFFIC RULES DURING CRITICAL MASS

This argument makes a lot of sense - except that the police like to arrest people while they're stopped at red lights!

As a regular CM rider and having followed this legal battle closely I hereby call for all participants in tomorrow's ride to obey all traffic laws during the ride for these reasons:

1) It has been established in court that we are allowed to fill up the whole street. So we should.

2) If the cops block off intersections for us they are acting on judgement and we have the legal right to ride through red lights.

3) If we run red lights when the police do not permit it and block cars we will be breaking the law which would be a setback to our case at this time. The cops will be looking to enforce laws wherever they can after having been made to look like fools by stealing people's bikes.

4) By keeping the mass tight but obeying traffic lights we will be more legally disruptive than we would be by blocking intersections. The police and drivers will be more impacted by our presence as a result.

5) Have fun and celebrate our victory in court!

I don't think this would be contrary to the spirit of Critical Mass, rather it makes tactical sense to show good will and good sense and that's how we can convince people that bike-riding in the city is a good idea. Too many pedestrians complain about reckless bikers while we complain about reckless drivers. Let's show the people (not the city or the police) that we respect their rights so that they will respect ours. To ride a bike is a right, to drive a car is a priviledge but to drive a car through a green light is a right. Get it? Still we ride!

Original article (with comments) here.

Posted by at October 27, 2004 04:43 PM