Thread started by daymen at 08.4.08 - 12:37 pm

Hey all.

I got an article covering Friday's SMCM ride at Los Angeles Streetsblog, LA.STREETSBLOG.ORG. This is the fourth in a series I'm doing on all of the regional Critical Mass rides. Streetsblog is read by anywhere between 500 and 1000 individuals a day and can be a good chance to do some outreach to people who are cool with alternative transportation but not ridazz by any stretch of the imagination.

So far, we've had almost 100 unique hits on the critical mass article, and a handful of comments. If folks would be interested in helping me out by answering some of the non ridazz questions about Crit-Mass that would be appreciated.

Thanks.

http://la.streetsblog.org/2008/08/04/dodging-the-police-and-hanging-at-the-pier-santa-monica-critical-mass/

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Just for fun - check out the below. Jackman is concerned about our public safety. Also - he calls streets "highways". What a sweet guy!

(oldest response last)

Mr. Jackman,

A rider count yielded 14 citations.

The usual contingent usually varies. In June, not one officer was present. In January there was one, and he didn't get out of his squad car. I guess the rain had him down. For the remainder of 2008 the officer count varied from 4 to 10.

Cyclists have the right to the lane at all times of day, not simply during off peak hours. In essence you are suggesting that cyclists should not ride on Friday evenings? Perhaps motorists should avoid driving at that time!


Alex Thompson

http://www.westsidebikeside.com/
http://flickr.com/photos/alexbct/
http://www.ibikeu.com/wiki/


- Hide quoted text -
On Mon, Aug 4, 2008 at 11:28 AM, Tim Jackman wrote:

Mr. Thompson:



Thank you for your email. I fear however, that you may have been misinformed. We issued a total of nine citations and had our usual contingent of officers – about 14. Both of the numbers (citations and officers), as you know, are relatively normal.



The reason we have that number of officers is due to the ongoing danger that Critical Mass presents to both itself and the other users of the highway. I offer again, an opportunity for you to help the situation by planning a date, time, route – or any one of the three - that would help reduce the public safety issues.



Thank you again.



Tim Jackman



From: Alex Thompson [mailto:alexcthompson@gmail.com]
Sent: Saturday, August 02, 2008 11:18 PM
To: P. Lamont Ewell; Tim Jackman
Subject: SMPD's escalation with SMPD



I was out of town for the first time in a year so I missed the latest crackdown on Critical Mass.

Approximately 20 officers cited 14 riders. That is truly a gross misallocation of resources.

I will be giving my organizational support to a sustained response to this harassment.

Regards,

Alex Thompson

http://www.westsidebikeside.com/
http://flickr.com/photos/alexbct/
http://www.ibikeu.com/wiki/




Alex Thompson
08.4.08 - 12:43 pm

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14 officers for Critical Mass. Wow.



daymen
08.4.08 - 1:10 pm

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seemed like more.... the more the merrier! it will make em look like fooooools cuz SMCM = teh noo EPICLEWLZOFLOMAOZTSEDUNGALO



Roadblock
08.4.08 - 1:22 pm

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LOL



eddieboyinla
08.4.08 - 1:35 pm

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