I more or less take your points about the riders.

I definitely take your point about the police, though, and again, like when I made comments at the last hearing on the parade rules, I regret forgetting to say “NYPD brass” instead of just “NYPD.”

On cannot claim the rules result from a battle of wills between the NYPD and Critical Mass. How does a bike ride have volition and express itself? That’s like arguing that a stock market or a board of trade has a will. There are trends, sure, but those are the result of a collective decisions made by individuals reacting to stimuli in their environment. It is only a group ad hoc for the duration of the ride.

Likewise, 99% of cops couldn’t care less about this issue (including many of the arresting officers who refuse to show up at court to defend the tickets). There are a few high ranking brass in DCPI (intel unit) and the borough command, maybe as high as the Commish, who are using this as an opportunity to consolidate NYPD control over streets.

The remarkable byproduct of the crackdown on the ride is a wholesale politicizing of riders, many whom 2 years ago only considered this an expression of environmental or social concern (if they thought they were expressing anyting), so that one of the better 1st Amendment struggles in the city is exercised the last Friday of every month while pedaling.

It’s the willingness of individuals to resist this trend and risk summonses or arrest that gives the impression that “Critical Mass” has a will and is engaged in a struggle with the police.

Yet another reason to secede… leave what little is left of the real NYC for us “outer borough types”.

#9, the upper half? If you’re referring to areas that are NOT culturally stale playgrounds for the wealthy, you must mean the half above 110th Street =)

-YAOBT (Yet Another “Outer” Borough Type)

many, if not most, of the people posting on this blog are “outer borough types” (including its moderator). “racist parades”??? please. those “All in the Family” episodes you’re watching are RERUNS.

the real reason for Manhattan to secede from NYC is that it has become a culturally stale playground for the wealthy. how’s THAT for a sweeping generalization (with more than a grain of truth)?

Don’t wait (and risk forgetting to contact your Council Member). Even if you have nothing else to say, you should still write and just ask them to oppose NYPD’s new parade rules proposal.

But if you want to find stuff to add, pick stuff out from the comments here, or on previous posts and comments here on the subject
Here are two:

http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/10/19/quinn-says-ok-to-nypd-bike-restrictions/

http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/11/16/nypd-spent-132m-to-suppress-monthly-bike-ride/

Dear Councilman (put name here), I’m sure you’re well aware of the NYPD’s proposed parade rule changes. I live in your district and I’m a daily bicycle commuter and I need your help. I urge you to take a stand against the NYPD’s overly restrictive rule changes. The police should not be creating the laws, they should be enforcing laws written by our elected officials. Several NY state judges have endorsed this position in rulings against the NYPD in favor of city cyclists, yet these decisions by our judges have not deterred the NYPD from continuing to wage their war against cyclists. Clearly the proposed laws are intended to target and discourage cyclists at a time when a healthy, environmentally responsible choice such as cycling should be encouraged. Thirty cyclists are not a parade…they ARE traffic. Are thirty cars a parade? Thank you for you time.

The proposal however is insidious: it is presented as a less strict version of the rejected one, but because it also applies to law-abiding street users, it is a MORE dangerous attack of First Amendment rights than the last one.

Further, it is the result of a battle of egos between NYPD and Critical Mass. Say what you will about Critical Mass, but my City government should not be making policy based on emotion or a battle of wills. This stupid fight is inflicting collateral damage. I have real problems with Critical Mass, but if this new proposal gets adopted, I might just start riding in it again.

While those of us who are less likely to drive are less interested in special rules allowing cyclist harassment.

I still can’t fathom why my own Council Member Jessica Lappin seems to be confused on this issue. Yes, delivery bicycles are a bit unruly around here, but really!?