Comments on: Cops on Scooters Trail Greenway Cyclists

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 15:29:42 +0000

If the cops insist on spending our tax dollars tracking CM cyclists riding on the greenway, let them do it while riding alongside on the Westside highway -- creating their own little motorized Critical Mass.

By: FTP

FTP — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 14:49:48 +0000

kaja and stacy,

the cyclists are not doing anything illegal, so your point is completely moot! there should be NO motorized vehicles on the greenway EVER even if they are following cyclists who, by the way, have every right to be there. what a way to blame the victim for the crimes of the nypd.

by the way, stacy, if you wish to avoid be unduly hassled by the police because someone unwittingly "brought the police with them," i suggest you stay indoors. given the nypd's behavior, you could be caught up in a "dragnet" anytime!

By: Lee Watkins IV

Lee Watkins IV — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:17:25 +0000

I don't understand why the police are riding motor vehicles on the the greenway. Shouldn't they be riding bicycles?

I have no problem with the police. I do have a problem with anyone who uses a motor vehicle on the greenway. Especially, of all times, during a bicycle demo.

By: Kaja

Kaja — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 02:53:52 +0000

Moocow - She's saying that folks who inspire criminal policework should do it away from the folks who are purposely and presently avoiding that stuff.

The Greenway is a place to ride on a Critical Mass night where there won't be any Critical Mass. So going there is a dick move. That the police intimidate doesn't make it wrong to be intimidated by the police.

If you're lucky enough to be fit, righteous and lawyered-up, then the more timid crowd will assuredly thank you for taking it for the team.

By: Moocow

Moocow — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 21:02:34 +0000

I'm sorry stacy, maybe I am not clearly following you, are you saying people should not do everyday things just because they inspire the NYPD to react in a way that is dangerous, unjust or illegal?

Set me straight.

By: Chicken Underwear

Chicken Underwear — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 20:02:13 +0000

No conspiracy, it is just taking forever to load

By: Chicken Underwear

Chicken Underwear — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:53:49 +0000

Is there supposed to be a video where the big blank spot is? Same thing on Gothomist.

Is Big Brother editing or is it just me

By: Ian Turner

Ian Turner — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:45:00 +0000

David, Critical Mass cyclists don't just block autos, they also blocked pedestrians. My then-girlfriend and I once had the misfortune of being in the middle of crossing the street with the light when Critical Mass came along; nobody stopped, and we were grazed more than once by speeding cyclists.

NYPD's approach is insane, and Critical Mass cyclists are also insane.

By: Andy Trafford

Andy Trafford — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:27:25 +0000

Yes, you see them occasionally, but they really should have more.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/depechetraff/3548946280

By: James

James — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 19:07:08 +0000

Is it just me or is there something really pathetic about overweight cops on motorized scooters shadowing fit bicyclists on a bike path? Has the NYPD ever had actual bicycle cops, and if not, what is the reason why not?

By: Stacy

Stacy — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:38:12 +0000

This isn't the first time Critical Mass has gone onto the Greenway and brought the police with them. Not only does it miss the whole point of critical mass - to make the streets safe for cyclists - but it puts families and children at risk who use the greenway as a refuge from city traffic.

I'm sure the cyclists of Critical Mass know better than anyone else that police often create chaos and arrest cyclists indiscriminately. I rode in the August 2004 Critical Mass and attended many other demonstrations so I know first hand how easy it can be to get caught up in these mass arrests. If these advocates are willing to risk arrest, bike confiscation and perhaps a weekend in jail, let them do so in a place far away from those who are only out to enjoy a traffic-free evening by the river.

By: Kaja

Kaja — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:29:26 +0000

Critical Mass is like WalMart. I want to hate them, but then I see their detractors, and I end up shopping there.

I'm joining their rides if the cops keep this up. Young white dudes with lawyers seems like precisely who Crit Mass needs more of.

By: David_K

David_K — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 18:03:46 +0000

I used to participate in Critical Mass but I got turned off by cyclists blocking off intersections where cars had the green light. Seemed like pretty poor cycling advocacy to me (I actually do not know if that still goes on in Critical Mass). But I agree that any way you look at this issue, the police are in the wrong here -- and they have been for a long time. In fact, several years ago Jim Dwyer reported in the NY Times that the NYPD were using undercover officers and covert surveillance techniques to spy on Critical Mass participants: http://tinyurl.com/paue9k

This is a shameful violation of civil liberties, and a total waste of police resources.

By: ddartley

ddartley — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:30:37 +0000

I've said it before: I'm no supporter of Critical Mass, but NYPD's own policy makes me side with CM. NYPD policy towards CM is so wasteful, and seems so personally vindictive and spiteful, that they're clearly the bigger bad guy.