Santa Monica Critical Mass
Thread started by
Alex Thompson at 07.11.07 - 3:07 pm
Midnight Ridazz,
Santa Monica Critical Mass was disrupted by the SM Police last Friday. A number of motorcycle cops started citing people and we had to flee to the LA border. I haven't been out East to many of the MRidazz lately - what's the situation with LAPD? Are they leaving the rides more or less alone?
Bike!
Alex
reply
I was on that SMCM. That was pretty lame of the SMPD. I have not been on a ride in LA where the cops gave us any problems. That was actually the first ride I've ever been on where the cops were such a problem. They must be taking some lessons from the NYPD.
cured107.11.07 - 3:13 pm
reply
Wow, how many people got cited? and for what?
This is a first..
FuzzBeast07.11.07 - 3:47 pm
reply
The SMPD obviously made a decision to disrupt the ride - there were 6 or 7 motorcycle units roaming around before the start, which disappeared before we rode. They were waiting for us along our route. At least 3 people were cited, I suspect more. There would have been more citations but people were alert to the police and stopped corking right away. Once we left SM for LA the police turned around.
I remember at the Dead Theater Midnight Ridazz the Ghetto Bird spotlighted us for a while and cops definitely used to yell at us over their loud speaker. However, I've never seen a citation except on one isolated occasion on SMCM.
Alex Thompson07.12.07 - 1:50 am
reply
Yeah the cops had it out for us from the start. Some cops were after us on the way back north as well. Some dude got on his loudspeaker and tried to tell everyone to ride single file. HA! Also I think they were going after Brian for his stereo trailer.
Andy Skittles
monovsstereo07.12.07 - 5:16 am
reply
maybe we should plan a funeral ride in SM escorted by those rentacops on motorcycles and spaypaint freedom on an open casket.
dannyzuko07.12.07 - 8:19 am
reply
It means we need more people to ride. Strength in numbers. I'll make the next one and will bring friends. Keep on riding.
Joe Borfo07.12.07 - 9:54 am
reply
What exactly were people cited for?
Police can be major assholes. There are good ones and bad ones, just like any group of people.
-Enzo Gucci
Team Bearclaw07.12.07 - 10:38 am
reply
I don't know what people were cited for. On my way to the start of the ride I noticed the large police presence and saw one guy being cited before the ride even started.
Whenever I ride in SM I am always sure that I have my lights and they are in working order and that I obey the traffic laws because I've noticed people get cited in SM even before this month's critical mass. This is not something I worry about while riding in LA.
cured107.12.07 - 11:05 am
reply
Maybe cause LA has larger fish to fry unlike SM, cops need to meet the quota.
dannyzuko07.12.07 - 11:34 am
reply
Yeah I saw four motorcycle cruisers parked at the end of the 3rd street promenade on my way to the ride. Just on my way to the ride I spotted a total of six cop motorcycles. Ummmm that would be two with riders. Then of course they were cruising up and down Ocean while we were at the park. Out looking for criminals that try to cheat SM out of their parking fees would be my guess.
User107.13.07 - 1:37 am
reply
It could have been a coincidence that there were a bunch of cops around SMCM. I saw a lot around other areas of the Westside that night.
alec07.14.07 - 10:48 am
reply
One guy was cited for running a T stop sign at Ocean and Ocean Park. He was waaay ahead of the mass and I guess the citation was valid. The police was indeed sharking the mass though and stopped at Main street at the Los Angeles border.
boogalooSHRIMP07.14.07 - 11:30 am
reply
A couple days ago, the Santa Monica Daily Press printed
this letter from Alex regarding the recent "war" between SMCM and SMPD.
Today, The Daily Press printed
a response from Helen R. McRosky (go to page 4), possibly displaying one of the dumbest and most ignorant attitudes towards Critical Mass that I have ever seen written on paper.
I recommend to anyone who's got something to say about this: send a letter in to the
Santa Monica Daily Press and let them know what you think. Send e-mail to editor@smdp.com
Just remember cyclist survival rule #5937: Half of being seen is BEING HEARD!
.K
onethirtynine07.26.07 - 12:47 am
reply
Who is this Alex Thompson anyways? And why does he get two references to his blog page on the link above? Oh yeah, and where's the link to MR on links resources? Sounds like they're doing just fine without MR help to me!
User107.26.07 - 9:12 am
reply
Alex is good peoples...
Rumor has it he'll wrestle you for a dollar.
I'm not sure why that should play a part in my opinion of him but it has...
420LaHaRR07.26.07 - 9:18 am
reply
I would respond to that but I'm not sure if User1 is being sarcastic or not.
.K
onethirtynine07.26.07 - 11:33 am
reply
user1<-----------sarcasm always ON
User107.26.07 - 11:37 am
reply
woo..thought a westling match is going down...
superfish07.26.07 - 11:41 am
reply
At a buck a head I was thinking about putting down a fiver and have 4 of my homies go in on this with me! Who can pass up a bargain like this?
User107.26.07 - 11:50 am
reply
"most valued citizens of Santa Monica"
Who is Helen referring to here?
SUV drivers perhaps
quidam07.26.07 - 1:15 pm
reply
The fact that Ms. Helen insinuates that some citizens are valued more than others is remarkably bourgeoisie. Perhaps we should take her opinion from the source, as she is probably a spoiled little brat who hasn't worked a day in her life.
And if not, if Ms. Helen is indeed a kind soul, she is horribly ignorant when it comes to the ways of 'the cyclists.' I think we need to enlighten her. Send letters!
kyber07.26.07 - 1:22 pm
reply
Here's a passionate response that Mr. Rumpus sent in:
I wish I could have read Helen McRoskey's childish response to Alex Thompson's letter regarding police action against Critical Mass and simply laugh it off. In fact, I wish I could simply laugh off every threat motorists throw at me on my daily bicycle commute. Helen's response to the heavy-handed police action against Santa Monica's Critical Mass embodies the opinion of every motorist who cannot display common courtesy and respect to their fellow citizens, especially those of us who seek alternative means of travel in hopes of making life better for everyone.
No participant of Critical Mass is out to "Terrorize" anyone, and we are not a "Gang," as Helen claims. It saddens me to see anyone slandering their community with such hateful buzz words, especially those who are not the minority, those whose rights are being thoroughly protected by our police force. Just last week, on my recommendation, my girlfriend decided to try biking to work to save time and frustration. When we spoke at the end of the day she was in tears, swearing she would never ride her bike to work again due to the number of blatant verbal and physical threats to her life made by motorists. This is the reality bike commuters face daily in this city, and all for our collective benefit. If the city of Santa Monica, named after the patron saint of patience and abuse victims, wishes to support this illegal, immoral, and highly depraived behavior on the part of citizens like Helen McRoskey, and continue to bully Critical Mass riders, than I am afraid the ethical and liberal standpoint this city is so famous for has been transformed into nothing more than fascism in favor of the upper class, or as Helen referred to them, "the valued citizens of Santa Monica."
I challenge Helen and all of those who share her viewpoint to try riding a bike through this city just for one day. I guarantee their opinion will change drastically. That is, of course, if they survive.
onethirtynine07.26.07 - 1:29 pm
reply
I find this thread crazy. I've always had the impression that Santa Monica was a bike friendly town. Wasn't one of their mayors a avid cyclist? Things must have changed.
In LA, in general, the LAPD have been know to tolerate the night rides, and only citing folks that make blatant (and usually stupid) offenses. Such as corking with a beer in hand, or running red lights as an individual.
the reverend dak07.26.07 - 3:12 pm
reply
Yo - I'll wrestle you for a dollar - but I'll take you down for FREE. Blam - I have huge guns where my arms should be and I'll use em! The hulk asks me for workout tips.
Could we have a The Hulk vs Hulk Hogan ride? I'll dress as Arnold.
AT
Alex Thompson07.27.07 - 11:43 am
reply
Who knows. I guess the SM cops have too much time on their hands and have saved all the local K(n)ittens from trees. They've elected some punk Kennedy kids to their council recently so the tone is changing.
SM Critical Mass isn't MRidazz but it seems like a stupid distinction. Why don't we post SMCM on MRidazz? It seems like if the PoPo are going to try to intimidate people to keep them from showing then SMCM could really use a boost from MRidazz.
Thompson is ugly. He has a lumpy head but Franz is hott.
Knittens07.27.07 - 12:54 pm
reply
SMCM will be riding on the 3rd fo sho and we will be stronger than evar!
.K
onethirtynine07.27.07 - 1:55 pm
reply
Most Honorable Reverend Dak,
I am guilty of having a beer in hand, yes...
I need a holster like yours.LOL
Gern07.30.07 - 7:17 pm
reply
I say we have a ride against Helen R. McRoskey!
Ratt_Bones07.31.07 - 10:23 pm
reply
Better yet, have a ride
for Helen R. McRoskey. Hang little signs on your bikes saying "WE <3 HELEN R. MCROSKEY" and "CYCLISTS FOR HELEN R. MCROSKEY" and "HELEN R. MCROSKEY - MOST VALUED CITIZEN" and so on. Maybe get a chant going, to the tune of "We Love You Beatles":
We love you He-len
Oh yes, we do-oo
We don't love anyone
As much as yoo-oou
When you're not with us
We're bluuuueee
Oh, He-len
We love yoo-oou!
Take pictures and send them to the Daily Press, explaining that you felt sorry for her, and thought that a ride in her honor might cheer her up.
Some people are just too ridiculous to get angry at.
PC08.1.07 - 3:11 am
reply
Spread this around!
http://www.santamonicacriticalmass.org/
Ratt_Bones08.1.07 - 3:15 pm
reply
Hmm, maybe SMCM needs to take a lesson from SFCM, make more of those little handout slips to give to motorists as you cork, you know the info ones about what CM is and why we're corking and stuff. I've seen a few on the SMCM but only a few, why not print up a big sack and hand em out at the start, so people can give em to motorists.
FuzzBeast08.1.07 - 4:14 pm
reply
WATCH OUT for the Santa Monica police. I got a ticket there for not stopping at a hard to recognise cross walk. I think the SMPD are NAZI'S!!!!! The cop was a complete arsehole!!! New York cops are like ice cream attendants compared so SM. Even the LAPD is courteous by comparison. Must have been that time of the month for my cop!!!! He was male BTW. Anyone else have any horror stories???
Limeyfly08.2.07 - 2:09 pm
reply
I have only recently logged into MR. I noticed the stories reference Critical Mass and the SMPD. I enjoy cycling and group meeting etc. but have not ridden with any groups yet and curious about the comment about mad cyclists in the edition of The Santa Monica newspaper. Any comments????
Limeyfly08.2.07 - 2:21 pm
reply
Hearsay can only go so far... I suggest you come out to a critical mass ride and experience it for yourself. The pace is usually pretty mellow, the routes aren't too long, and the hills are usually avoided. Don't be afraid, we only bite if asked politely.
you can also check out bikeboom.com for even more rides.
Ride On!
420LaHaRR08.2.07 - 2:34 pm
reply
Has anybody actually thought about contacting the city? I sometimes listen to KCRW and hear the council members discussing local issues. I dont live in Santa Monica, I live in Glendale-thinking about moving to SM once the police department has been retrained. I prefer the flatness of Santa Monica for cycling and have several friends that live there, so I frequent the area. Isnt the city government supposed to be working for "all" citizens of the city? It would be nice to know what the city's stance is with regard to the police department. My job takes me all over America and I find the police in Santa Monica to be obstructive, unfriendly, and seem to lack basic common sense. They are ready to cite someone in order to provide income for the "Santa Monica Yet to be Allocated Benevolent Fund".
Thoughts.....
Limeyfly08.2.07 - 3:05 pm
reply
There's a discussion happening about how to handle the cops over at the new SMCM forum (thanks to Zackatista). The general concensus seems to be, if the cops want us to follow the rules, we'll follow the rules; and they thought traffic WAS bad......SHEEOT!!
LaHaRR said it right, it's a nice, mellow ride; and in the heat of summer it's one of the few rides that lets you taste the cool air. It's like Braveheart on 2 wheels!!
Riding from K-town?
Meet at Wilshire & Western at 5:15; ride at 5:30.
Eric Hair08.2.07 - 3:11 pm
reply
For those of you who are feeling spicy, a group of us will be riding back to make the Fatt Bottom Friday Ice Scream Ride. Join us for some miles.
Eric Hair08.3.07 - 1:49 pm
reply
-->
Ridazz Roulette!
