SMCM - STORM THE BASTILLE
Thread started by
Alex Thompson at 11.8.07 - 1:15 pm
CALLING ALL RIDAZZ
SMCM is attending the Tuesday, November 13th meeting of the SM City Council en masse and in style. Select riders will present the council will present to the council about the police disruption of our ride along with accompanying video footage. Other riders are encouraged to submit comment cards and make their voice heard.
SM wants to shut down SMCM - plain & simple - they filmed our ride and cited over 20 riders last ride. We could lose, for a long long time, the ability to have peaceful group rides in SM. We need as many people as possible to show up in support, particularly SM residents, ex residents, or people who do business in SM. AND RIDAZZ.
The plan may change because we are working with the city clerk's office to get a special block of time or agenda item. Check MRidazz for updates!
Currently the plan is to leave from Pacific & Lincoln at 8:45pm sharp. We'll ride to the Council Chambers past the police station and enter. We'll submit our comment cards and wait for our chance comment. Afterward we can adjourn to some local bars and maybe for some Midnight Swimmaz.
Let's fill the council with ridazz - standing room only!!
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CANST BRING BICYZ IN TO CHAMBERS??
Knittens11.8.07 - 2:08 pm
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The logic behind our case is so strong. All we need our numbers! RIDAZZ!!!!
SKIDMARCUS11.8.07 - 5:56 pm
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I AM EXCITED!!!!! I'LL BE THERE!!!!!
User111.8.07 - 8:29 pm
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I'll be there man...With numbers...
We really need a lot of people to come to this. Critical Mass' existence is at stake
richtotheie11.8.07 - 8:56 pm
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Why do they want to shut down SMCM?
Any reasons in particular? Do they actually have anything other than ridazz just being sexy bad asses?
They filmed ridazz doing what?
Inquiring minds want to know!
Rich
NEWB31011.8.07 - 9:07 pm
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Exciting Zounds!
Am eastsider contemplating attendance assuredly for maximum fun advocacy!
Thanx, officer!
lackflag11.8.07 - 10:56 pm
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FuNSTERS JoIN the FuN TRAIN!
e-rock11.9.07 - 8:46 am
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And the fun train goes WWOOOO WOOOOOOOOO
kyber11.9.07 - 12:22 pm
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fun or no fun this is SERIOUS!
skano11.9.07 - 2:34 pm
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*** i'm reposting this from SMCM forum***
Good luck. Sincerely. However, what motivation does the City Council have to support a group of riders who create traffic congestion, anger drivers, and does not even add to the city coffers with permit fees. CM is primarily made up of people without city or business connections. In your forums SMCM and on ridazz, I can't even find anyone mentioning SPECIFICALLY what you are asking for... to simply have the police stay off our asses!?! The most you can expect is for the council to say, "you have the same rights as anyone. apply and pay for a permit, ride along a designated path on Sunday morning, and the police will supply traffic control and route protection." What do you think they are going to say to a bunch of roudy, grungy kids on bicycles? "Out of respect for your noble purposes and Santa Monica's long history supporting the underdog, we will ask the police to let you run amok on our streets." It ain't going to happen.
I admire your attempt to take the problem to city hall. If that achieves nothing, I'll volunteer to ride, cork, and take a few tickets. Maybe then the council may say,"uhh, we've got a problem here. let's work something out with these riders that will improve the situation."
indigis11.9.07 - 4:16 pm
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The logic behind our case is so strong. All we need our numbers! RIDAZZ!!!!
SKIDMARCUS
11.8.07 - 8:56 pm
I'm a CM rider and I don't even know the "logic behind our case." Mind filling me in.
indigis11.9.07 - 4:20 pm
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Go back and read the thread.
PC11.9.07 - 4:33 pm
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I can has cliffnotes plz?
kyber11.9.07 - 5:01 pm
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Indigis,
Bicycle traffic moves faster than car traffic during traffic, so isn't car traffic creating traffic for bicyclists? Drivers also anger bicyclists, and I'm one of them. Traffic on Lincoln and the 10 freeway doesn't require permit fees and neither should we, since legally we're both vehicles under the CVC.
My mother (65), who rides a tricycle around Santa Monica is not roudy, grungy kid, yet she feels safer in a group of cyclists... me, herself and my girlfriend. Shall we require a permit when we ride to the SM Farmers market?
My personal gripe is that the SMPD states that they're doing this for public safety, yet they're singling out bicycles to cite for vehicle violations, not motorist violations.
boogalooSHRIMP11.9.07 - 8:20 pm
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Boogaloo, i'm not disagreeing with anything you say. except the part about your grandmother. she is gundgy.
indigis11.9.07 - 11:56 pm
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I will be recieving a list of all of those Elite Core™ not in attendence, you will be punished accordingly. Assuming I survive the trip home retribution will be handed out by me personally. In the event of my death before I return, I will provide comprehensive punishment instructions to the next Franz.
Any Ridazz currently seeking acceptence in Elite Core™, must also attend or risk execution, as was non-verbally agreed upon when you first met or attempted to speak with any member of the Elite Core™ .
Be aware, I am Watching.
franz11.10.07 - 5:45 am
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mother ,,,,,, elite core ,,hahahh a that right,,,listen to the man were watxhing so dont front and be bout bout it,,,alrght see you tue,,,,sunnns
skano11.10.07 - 5:54 am
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Franz,
I should go and get your 5 (i think) tickets before the SM counsel mtg. I'm sure, after we meet with them, they will clearly see that the SMPD made a mistake and all will be forgiven. When the Counsel says, "Awe, you can just hand back in all the tickets that the SMPD have given out over the last several months", i don't want you to be left out.
S
stevo411.10.07 - 7:18 am
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oh boy, time to get out the interview suit again
ephemerae11.10.07 - 9:06 am
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ephemerae,
I agree, I think we all should dress up for the occasion.
eddy_merckx11.10.07 - 6:47 pm
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Over 20! jesuse crist! i'll be there...and i'll see if i can bring people
sproket_injury?11.10.07 - 10:12 pm
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According to the SM Daily Press there were 32 citations . . . in case anyone was interested.
Alex Thompson11.11.07 - 2:47 am
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Hey Eastsiders,
We are meeting at the Hollywood/Western Red Line Station at 7:15 pm and riding at 7:30. Let's Storm the Bastille!
illuminateLA11.12.07 - 1:37 am
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Sweet!!! The more people the better!!! Oh how i love thee, bicycle. And oh how i love thy bicycles riders even more :D
richtotheie11.12.07 - 8:38 am
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Thanks for posting this - will be much better to ride with a group than down to SM on my own.
angle11.12.07 - 4:16 pm
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Anyone wanna meet up at Mar Vista Park at 7pm to ride there?
barleye11.12.07 - 4:43 pm
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I am not side-tracking, but i wanted others to note that the ride at the top of this post starts at "Pacific & Lincoln". This Pacific is "Pacific STREET not Pacific AVENUE. Its a small street between Pico and Ocean Park...Thats all...See you there!
SKIDMARCUS11.12.07 - 5:30 pm
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8:45???
What time does the council meeting start? Seems a bit late for a meeting to begin.
barleye11.12.07 - 7:19 pm
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Pacific STREET is only LITERALLY smaller than Pacific AVENUE. METAPHORICALLY the Pacific STREET rules Pacific AVENUE and all avenues for that matter, including Saks Fifth Avenue and Electric Avenue.
SKIDMARCUS11.12.07 - 7:19 pm
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"We will ride from 724 Pacific St. to a public meeting of the SM City Council"
So where's this SM City Council meeting at? For some that are arriving early or late, they need to know this.
User111.12.07 - 11:59 pm
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1685 Main Street
Santa Monica, CA 90401
thanks skidz, i feel better now :-)
boogalooSHRIMP11.13.07 - 12:06 am
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Of the 32 citations given out that night, how many were totally unwarranted? I'm assuming you guys are going to present examples of these at tomorrow's city council meeting right? I'm also really curious to see the video footage.
If I can get off work on time, I'll be riding w/ the east siders to show my support.
trekkie11.13.07 - 1:07 am
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I'm here to tell you
It is on. IT IS ON. I T I S ONN!!!!
IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON MARCUS IS AWESOME IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT MARCUS AWESOME IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON
Trekkie - I liked what you wrote in your letter.
Y'all have no idea how on it is. I was just there - it is on. Ask boogaloo if you don't believe me.
IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON IT IS ON
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 1:28 am
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Joke COLLEGE Brother - U IS A MFUKING GRADUATE OF IT!
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 1:48 am
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"Anyone wanna meet up at Mar Vista Park at 7pm to ride there?"
Yes, I do. Do you mean der Mar Vista Recreation Center? Palms and Sawtelle? Or where?
katiepoche11.13.07 - 2:33 am
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i'm gonna leave mar vista park at 7:20 from Sawtelle and Palms.
barleye11.13.07 - 7:02 am
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hello everybody is any one riding from hollywood ,,im down to meet up at 645 700 pm ,,holla
skano11.13.07 - 11:14 am
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Yes, we are riding from Hollywood/Western Red Line Station. We're meeting at 7:15 and riding at 7:30.
illuminateLA11.13.07 - 11:21 am
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what route are you guys taking to get to SM from hollywood/western? i don't know when i'm getting off work and may need to catch up w/ you guys.
trekkie11.13.07 - 11:25 am
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I love having all of these screen names!
It makes me feel like I have more friends!
funderstorm11.13.07 - 11:25 am
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We're going down to Sunset/Vine to catch some riders there at the north/east corner by the statue. Then we're heading down La Brea to Santa Monica Blvd. and we'll stay on it all the way to the meeting point.
illuminateLA11.13.07 - 11:38 am
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trekkie western/hollywood ride will be taking santa monica blvd all the way..where do you work we can prob stop for ya..we're also stopping at sunset/vine at about 740,,
skano11.13.07 - 11:39 am
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cool thanks guys - if i don't see you at hollywood/western i'll catch you somewhere along the way
trekkie11.13.07 - 11:43 am
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hey "funderstorm" wtf!!! HAHA!!!!
please email me - marcusgetsemail@gmail.com
SKIDMARCUS11.13.07 - 11:57 am
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I work till 10 but maybe I can *puff* *puff* drive over to catch the end.
btw ... this thing will be
broadcast on live KCRW so practice your lines, and get your casette decks ready!
trickmilla11.13.07 - 12:10 pm
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Folks,
Give some thoughts about what you are going to say tonight. Try not to be too emotional, that rarely looks good to those who have no idea, why you do what you do. Stick to facts, ideas, and doing the right thing. Tonight is really going to be a battle of ideas. May we all come out, better off because of it.
sexy11.13.07 - 12:18 pm
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Is there a summation of what it is we all want to say?
I'm just asking to make sure we are all on the same page.
What is our objective for tonight?
Joe Borfo11.13.07 - 12:20 pm
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my thoughts exactly, but do we want to publish that here before we go tonight, it might be better to talk about it before we go in to the chambers. Rarely do city council meetings ever run on time, so we should have plenty of time to discuss amongst ourselves before hand
sexy11.13.07 - 12:23 pm
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Funderstorm only uses midnightridazz.comz
Funderstorm is the one and only!
funderstorm11.13.07 - 12:25 pm
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thats it, well just all chant Funderstorm for 3 minutes, and those council folks will get our point, loud and clear.
sexy11.13.07 - 12:27 pm
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what???
FUNDERSTORM is still my band...wtf! hhahaha!
SKIDMARCUS11.13.07 - 12:35 pm
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Funderstorm has come to life!
I AM
FUNDERSTORM!
funderstorm11.13.07 - 12:52 pm
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For those of you coming tonight who want to speak - we will probably each have 2 minutes to talk. Below is what I've worked out for my 2 minutes. Practicing it comes out to a little under 2 minutes.
I would suggest a few things to anyone speaking. Begin by introducing yourself, briefly stating your profession and relationship to Santa Monica, and then the words "I am a participant in Santa Monica Critical Mass".
Finish by making a specific request. This helps the Council to know how to react to our input.
Anyhow - here's mine:
Hello, my name is Alex Thompson, and I'm a graduate student at UCLA. I regularly do business and socialize in Santa Monica and I am a participant in Santa Monica Critical Mass.
I'd like to approach the issue of Critical Mass from a slightly different angle.
What will happen if the Police Department continues to place priority on citing Critical Mass Participants? Specifically, what will be the long term effects on Santa Monica's journey to sustainability?
The Police department proved it can break up Critical Mass at will. Doing so will probably reduce motorist complaints and assuage thedept's concerns about public safety.
However, in breaking up Critical Mass on November 2nd, Police cited 32 cyclists, many erroneously. The result is a strong feeling of resentment toward the city amongst Critical Mass participants. In turn, the argumentative scrutiny of police by cyclists has probably generated frustration within the Police Dept. Formal complaints and court battles to come surely will aggravate these feelings.
For the city, the best route to promote cycling is to facilitate cyclist's efforts to encourage others to bicycle. Bad relations between cyclists and the city hurt the ability of Santa Monica to promote cycling, and place a black mark on Santa Monica's green record, if not also it's reputation for tolerance.
Obviously the destruction of Critical Mass is not desirable for it's participants, and considering cyclist/city relations, it is not desirable for the city of Santa Monica either.
I ask the Council to consider letting mass RIDE, perhaps by deprioritizing the citation of cyclists in large group rides similarly to the deprioritization of enforcement of Marijuana possession as in Santa Monica Municipal Code 3 point 7 2
Thank you
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 1:59 pm
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You might want to try and coordinate your statements before you guys get up to give your comment. Reiterating the same point over and over again to a group of elected politicians can really hurt your case. Things are boring enough in CIty Council meetings as it is.
If there are five or six good statements about why the PD should back off, try and have one person talk about one point, and another person to talk about another sinlge point.
Corking is really all the Police have to inflame negative sentiments towards big social bike rides - is there anyway to get around this issue?
ubrayj0211.13.07 - 2:07 pm
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And now, some nitpicking.
The Police department proved it can break up Critical Mass at will.
Has it? I don't think I would want to concede this publicly. The SMPD and the City should be on notice that CM isn't going away and that it will switch tactics, if necessary, to frustrate the PD's efforts to run it out of town.
Doing so will probably reduce motorist complaints and assuage the dept's concerns about public safety.
Something else I wouldn't want to concede.
In turn, the argumentative scrutiny of police by cyclists has probably generated frustration within the Police Dept. Formal complaints and court battles to come surely will aggravate these feelings.
I like this part! A key skill in political fighting is knowing how to threaten people politely.
PC11.13.07 - 2:16 pm
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Here's a tip for people who are going to make public comments: when they rudely cut you off at the two-minute point,
finish your sentence before giving up the microphone. There's nothing they can do about it in such a short time, and it's a good, non-disruptive way to show that you're not intimidated by their power.
PC11.13.07 - 2:18 pm
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PC - thanks for the comments. If you saw the version I had before I think you would have been fine on those particular points. There was some more nuance with in that - but in order to get from 2:40 to 1:50 things had to go.
Privately with City Officials I've made it very clear that this is a problem they can expect in the long term. What I'm saying here is that I think that on any given friday they can fracture the ride and destroy it. the other part "Doing so" used to include a caveat but I didn't have time.
Do you think those withholdings are important enough to reintroduce? Part of what's at issue here is that SMCM constitutes, at present, a challenge to SMPD's authority. I kind of like giving them a friendly slap on the shoulder like "hey man - you can kick our ass - no question" followed by "please don't!".
And realistically I do believe they can trounce SMCM . . . but they'll probably end up having to face down other group rides every year or so . . . and in that sense they face a chronic problem here.
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 2:28 pm
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Or, right when they cut you off, just say, "JOOSE JOOSE JOOSE!"
Joe Borfo11.13.07 - 2:29 pm
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The polite threats - yeah - thanks for the compliment. I'm getting good at that aspect. Can we expect to hear you tonight?
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 2:29 pm
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Alex Thompson wrote:
Do you think those withholdings are important enough to reintroduce?
Dunno...but I would suggest either saying those particular things with the caveats, or not saying them at all.
Part of what's at issue here is that SMCM constitutes, at present, a challenge to SMPD's authority. I kind of like giving them a friendly slap on the shoulder like "hey man - you can kick our ass - no question" followed by "please don't!".
I like polite threats much, much better than I like this tactic. If you tell a bully that he can kick your ass, he will kick your ass.
That's not to say that you can't have a diversity of tactics. But I think that the two best tactics are:
1) Giving them reasons not to want to kick your ass
2) Giving them reason to believe that they will be in for a fight if they try to kick your ass.
And realistically I do believe they can trounce SMCM
I'm pretty sure that's what they thought in San Francisco for a while.
PC11.13.07 - 2:40 pm
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Remember the Peleton folks in Pasadena, and how the City Council decided to overturn their decision of not riding two abreast because a bunch of us went to go represent as cyclists? It worked for us. We can do it.
Strength in numbers!
Joe Borfo11.13.07 - 2:47 pm
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Yeah - but when SF had their confrontation their ride was further along than ours, had more tradition, took place in a city with a genuine record for counter culture (not just a vague desire to smoke pot as in SM) and probably more per capita cyclists.
Alex Thompson11.13.07 - 2:49 pm
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and a decent public transportation system ^^^^
Roadblock11.13.07 - 2:50 pm
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Good sir, there is nothing vague about the desire to smoke pot in Santa Monica.
PC11.13.07 - 4:00 pm
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please tell me if my prediction is right or wrong. they will say this.
"Put lights on your bike and follow the traffic rules and you wont be cited. just because you're on a bike does not give you a right to break the law."
cls10511.13.07 - 4:23 pm
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I don't give a flying fuck what they say. I'm not going so that I can listen to them.
PC11.13.07 - 4:28 pm
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I would remind them of the deaths of cyclists by wreckless drivers, if anyone has that information.
Joe Borfo11.13.07 - 4:47 pm
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cls105 -
someone correct me if i'm wrong, but there were riders who were cited - who were in no violation of any law, like the person ticketed for leaving the bike lane to avoid an obstruction.
trekkie11.13.07 - 4:57 pm
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"I don't give a flying fuck what they say. I'm not going so that I can listen to them."
unfortunately this sentiment might be the one thing both parties have in common.....
Roadblock11.13.07 - 5:20 pm
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Well, let's give it a shot anyway. People come and support.
Joe Borfo11.13.07 - 5:22 pm
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See you guys in two hours. I'll be wearing my convincing and articulate face, and bad hair.
ephemerae11.13.07 - 6:40 pm
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You can listen to it live on KCRW 89.9, on iTunes or on the web
kcrw.com
marino11.13.07 - 9:21 pm
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listening right now... did anyone speak yet?
Roadblock11.13.07 - 9:44 pm
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here goes the public speaking
cant wait to hear the comments!
Roadblock11.13.07 - 9:55 pm
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all this fuckin ass kissing these silly politicians have to brown nose each other when they get on the mike. just shut the fuck up and get to bussiness quit congratulating each other already
Roadblock11.13.07 - 10:20 pm
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Dang... just barely got on to listen online at 10:30pm PST. Anything yet?
digablesoul11.13.07 - 10:27 pm
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"I don't want to ruin the momentum"... What's up w/ the lady freaking getting in between the speakers??
digablesoul11.13.07 - 11:51 pm
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Great job you guys. Broadcast stopped at midnight. Major props to you guys that all went.
digablesoul11.14.07 - 12:02 am
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As with the Santa Monica city council meeting, we where not an agenda item so we where 'Public Comments' which come last. Public comments are open to any discussion, that where the lady came in.
The show up was great, don't worry I got to speak clean up. Box was a victim of a 'hit and run', I had a car so I went and picked him up. He is alright, no license plate, just a description of Red VW BUG 67-70 probably damaged front fender. Everybody was great, from what I heard, Box was exceptional due to the fact he attends so many different council meetings. Alex T.said he was nervous, but came but across calm, cool and drove the point home clearly, I didn't hear any nervous energy over the radio. PC banana outfit got the TV news crew all riled up.
I felt the meeting was a, "lets feel each other out" session. They seemed impressed with us, and the internal discussion sounded like they want to figurer out a way around this issue with their police. This seems to be only round one, I think we will be successful in coming months, but I don't think it is over. We will see at the next SMCM ride. If we must, we may have to go a few more of these meetings
Thanks to everyone who showed up, you where all terrific.
sexy11.14.07 - 1:42 am
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That was great. I really feel that we got our message across and in the respect that would only have prayed for. Great job guys.
richtotheie11.14.07 - 3:07 am
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It was a great night in Santa Monica!
Council Chambers smelled like...Victory!
Big props to all who showed up and spoke up in support of the SMCM and our right to ride without incurring the excessive and illegal wrath of the PoPo.
SoapBoxLA11.14.07 - 3:18 am
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Sounds like it went well how many people were there?
franz11.14.07 - 5:07 am
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I'm guessing maybe 50 or 60 ridazz were in attendance. We filled up most of the seating.
Interesting surprises include one of the council members saying he had actually been on one of the critical mass rides and experienced that group energy, and the city attorney pulling a law reference out saying something to the effect of temporary group processions such as funerals are allowed to go through red lights at times so there may be something that can be worked with there.
I was a bit disappointed to learn that the council is not able to directly even give suggestions to the SMPD - it appears that the only way that police behavior can be modified is by changing the laws. I suppose that's a separation of powers thing.
Overall it went really well. A lot of our group was very articulate and everyone had some good points.
It was an interesting learning experience for me to see how this process works. I'll be better prepared next time to make a contribution. I gather there will be more, possibly many more future council sessions involving us.
Hopefully we will actually be an official agenda item at some point.
ephemerae11.14.07 - 7:58 am
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interesting, never thought about funeral processions.... do they require permits? if not....
The Funeral Ride.
Roadblock11.14.07 - 10:48 am
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RB -
I think what they (council members and city attorney) said last night was that a funeral procession would require official law enforcement or those cops-for-hire to block intersections and direct traffic I'm pretty sure it doesn't require a permit, but someone has to be corking in an official manner.
Anyway, I thought everyone last night did a great job voicing their opinions, and I think the council and mayor were much more receptive to having a dialog with the community than I expected them to. Obviously nothing is going to get solved in one night, but they seem willing to engage in talks with us to find a solution that "works for everybody" as mayor Bloom said. Just a bunch of elected officials blowing smoke? Maybe, but still, it's a good first step and I think it's a step in right direction for SMCM.
Great job and great turnout.
trekkie11.14.07 - 11:07 am
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wow I am extremely proud of you guys, wish I couldve made it. way to hold it down...50-60!?!?! I LOVE THIS CITY! Keep it coming...
...the Funeral Ride! Woah! Any mortician-ridazz out there? Do we need a body? any volunteers? wanna play dead in a casket-bike?
SKIDMARCUS11.14.07 - 11:13 am
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Last night, at one point, one of the council members was pressing Gern about stopping at Stoplights. I felt the Council member was trying to hone in on the safety/holding up of cars/violation of running red lights issue.
We all know that sometimes keeping the group together if the light has turned to red can actually be safer than stopping at every light. And as PC or someone mentioned to the Council, letting the Mass move as one unit will actually reduce the time we are holding up traffic rather than have smaller groups spread out over x number of blocks (and potential cars getting stuck in between us). In hindsight, as i was riding home, i'm not sure that the ramifications of breaking up the group at stop lights was communicated strongly enough to them.
You could tell this guy was pressing the 'stop light/breaking the law' angle. He was looking for a solution (IMO). Obviously, they have to follow the letter of the law (as opposed to the spirit of the law) but that's not to say there isn't some middle ground like LA and other cities do for us, or the exception to the rules, like ephemerae mentioned about the Funeral processions.
And i applaud everyone who got up there and spoke in support of our community.
And lastly, i think its becoming very evident (to the council as well) that bikes and alternative transportation is only going to continue to grow. I think in some way, it helped our case when some of the other speakers discussing their agendas mentioned bikes in their presentations.
stevo
stevo411.14.07 - 11:14 am
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yada, yada, yada...
and when you're done collectively patting yourselves on the back for confronting the great wizard, let me know what you're going to do on the next ride.
my money is on the police cracking down HARDER. No one likes to be "told on" and in essence, that's what you did. They are going to show you who's boss and try to run CM out of SM before you actually create pressure from within the administration.
I'll be at the ride. This is going to be too interesting to miss.
indigis11.14.07 - 11:38 am
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Yo Indigis. Strength in Numbers.
Also, there's nothing quite like riding home at 2 am with Mr. Box cracking jokes the whole way. I need to ride with that man more often!
Major Props to all that supported. Especially Mr. Box for getting hit and run and still making it in time to speak to the council.
Baby Steps folks. CM is not going to die. The City is now well aware of our situation and I think we may find even more and more supporters. Let's make CM as strong as it is in San Francisco.
Oh yeah - and quiet in the back Perverted Cyclist!
Joe Borfo11.14.07 - 11:51 am
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Borfo, SMCM is going to be quickly loosing riders through attrition. Most riders come out for a fun little party ride and the smell of police will keep them from coming back. I'm going to do some craigslist postings before the ride to try to get the numbers up.
indigis11.14.07 - 12:25 pm
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You tell 'em, indigis. What's up with all these people speaking their minds and challenging the status quo, anyway? That's not the way to change things. Timidity and defeatism shall carry the day! COWER POWER!
PC11.14.07 - 1:30 pm
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It was awesome to see everyone who came out to CIty Hall Last Night. TImes are critical and it's great that we can stand together as a mass to demand freedom of biking.
MOre love to us all, and to those mayors and cops may they all get a bike for Christmas and trade it in for their cars.
KataCyklsLA2NY11.14.07 - 1:33 pm
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pics are up.
Excuse me Enci for running away to take a pic at that horrible time (when on the phone with the police) but it was a powerful moment.
richtotheie11.14.07 - 1:36 pm
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Last night was so boring but I still had fun! I wonder if CBS 2 or KCAL 9 broadcasted anything about it on the news. Great job to everyone who spoke on behalf of Critical Mass. I think we really showed a diverse group and showed that people from all sides of the community enjoy this whole bicycling thing.
I'm glad we opened up this dialog with the City Council and I think it will be a very necessary step to get the ball rolling. I liked when the City Council seemed to be flirting with the idea of amending the special events ordinance to fit our needs. That could be awesome.
Great pictures, Richie! The whole scene at City Hall was rad last night. We should hang out there more often. Ha!
onethirtynine11.14.07 - 2:38 pm
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My deepest thanks to everyone who came out last night. Special thanks to Stephen Box, Enci, and Sexy, for coming and handling Stephen's hit and run so well. I hope you're alright Box-inator.
I am flabbergasted at how eloquent SMCM speakers spoke. I know y'all are smart peeps but I think that the best public speakers in the room were probably amongst our crew - not up sitting in the Council. Everyone who spoke said something I hadn't thought of before, or put an important point in a way which was new to me - and I think about these things a lot. You can bet I'll be stealing everyone's schtick.
The Council did remark that "they cannot instruct police." This is a bit of political misdirection. You can bet that the Council regularly advises the Police of their opinion on law enforcement priorities and the Police definitely listen. Moreover they do have the power, as the City Attorney pointed out, to write law which would grant social bike rides special exemptions.
Talking to the Council is important, but it may be more important to talk to the City Manager and City Attorney. Fortunately we achieved that as well last night - the City Manager was the middle aged African American sitting directly across from the public comment podium, and the City attorney was the middle aged white woman sitting directly left of the podium. Both of these members of City Staff regularly advise and direct police on law enforcement methods, priorities and issues of liability and public safety.
I'm not sure what to think of the Council's reaction last night. I think it is important that we keep the pressure on - we don't want city leadership to get the impression that platitudes and vagues notions of action will satiate us - we want ACTION! Look for upcoming events like Criminal Mass - an all legal ride that will demonstrate just how disruptive legal riding can be. December's ride is our barometer!
Anyhow - I just fired off an open letter to the Mayor, Council, & City Staff:
Mayor, Council Members, and City Staff,
The attendance of Tuesday's City Council meeting by just over 50 Critical Mass (CM) participants, with 33 entering public comments, indicates the broad base of support for Santa Monica Critical Mass (SMCM.) As always the rule that "for each supporter in attendance there are many supporters who are not" holds.
Hopefully now you all have a clear picture that SMCM, while disruptive to motor traffic, has a deeply positive effect within the cycling community. While SMCM is horizontally organized ("leaderless") in my judgment there is a strong consensus to seek a solution which mitigates the city's concerns and preserves the integrity of SMCM's traditional methodology. I think that SMCM desires a peaceful, even amicable, relationship with police.
Police attention to SMCM has been objectively inconsistent. The department was clearly aware of the ride but largely ignored it until July 2007, and since that time the degree of attention has varied wildly. Although the Council reminded us last night that they "cannot instruct police" the pattern of attention from the Police Department is not one of a department acting independently.
There are many major cities which have conflicted with a large CM and subsequently worked out a politically peaceful coexistence. Many SMCM participants have researched this by speaking with activists in such cities. Of particular note are Los Angeles, San Francisco, Brooklyn, London, Melbourne, and Manhattan. Since losing a class action law suit in 2000, Los Angeles takes a "hands off, move the ride through quickly" approach. In San Francisco, Brooklyn, London, and Melbourne, CM is escorted by police who close intersections to allow the ride to proceed through as quickly as possible. In Manhattan the city council, after being ordered by a federal judge to cease harassment of CM, passed an onerous ordinance banning certain types of group processions. The result is ongoing conflict with CM and acrimonious relationship between police and cyclists. I urge you to contact city officials and police departments in these cities.
I was impressed with the range of options discussed by the council after public comment. City Attorney Moutrie and Councilman McKeown noted that the city makes special exemptions from traffic laws, particularly lights, for certain events such as funeral processions. I look forward to hearing what options the city staff consider for SMCM.
Ride safely,
Alex Thompson
Santa Monica Critical Mass Participant
Alex Thompson11.14.07 - 2:42 pm
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BTW - onethirtynine and I wagered a milkshake on the attendance. onethirtynine won if it was 60 or less, I won with 61 or more. onethirtynine won by a hair . . . MRIDAZZ do not fail me again!!!!
Alex Thompson11.14.07 - 2:45 pm
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richtotheie, thank you so much for standing by and helping! And also thank you Collin for calling Stephen back. I lost my head, I had no idea what to do. I was just scared.
And Sexy, a special thanks to you for picking up Stephen. For offering and for bringing back my man to me! He is my everything! Thank you guys!
illuminateLA11.14.07 - 8:21 pm
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indigis
are you the guy who came from Glendale to Hollywood to the meeting?
sexy11.14.07 - 8:27 pm
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Yo, I downloaded the mp4 file from the city site, converted it to a better format (3vix Santa Monica? Really?), and uploaded it to Google video.
The entirety of the public comment is about 1 hour and 10 minutes long.
Enjoy:
ubrayj0211.14.07 - 9:38 pm
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Don't mean to be negative, but the mayor and his little henchman were never really paying attention to what any of us were saying most of the time. It was pretty obvious they seemed to have a predetermined opinion about us and were chatting to each other while we gave our comments.
The attorney lady in red seemed to be favorable to us, and also that nice councilman who had previously attended critical mass but was to embarrassed to admit he made a left turn were we "shouldn't have" seemed fairly supportive.
Good stuff y'all..
RIDE ON!
Joe Borfo11.15.07 - 12:08 am
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Joe that kind of behavior is par for the course, at city council meetings. I've been to too many, 'that I care to admit' Santa Monica city council meetings. I know half of those council members and there attitudes and corks about them. The major is whatever, Shiver left early (I think SM is just a jumping off post for him) Holbrook has always been, the token North of Montana rich Republican of the group, Genser and Conner have been stand up members of this council for many years. G&C, just like McKenown (the guy who rode with the mass before) are just taken back as with most people are about the rides, corking intersections. They may or may not be supportive in the future. What I know of them and knowing what I have seen in the past, they aren't going to die on this hill about it. If someone comes up with a solution as was suggested to be explored, I would bet they would be supportive. Katz made the suggestion, so he would probably go with it, that makes four. If something came to a vote, that is all that is need. Hollbrock would definitly vote against, any thing in our favor, Bloom and Shiver, I don't know?
I haven't been to LA city council chambers since they remodeled it. In the past the whole council, except for the council President ,would seat with their back towards the audiences.
It was late last night, I'm sure the majority of the council didn't care about CM, but I do think they did hear us, and my six sense thinks they do want to see a solution, based on the fact so many of us showed up and articulated ourselves well, regarding this issue. The reality is, we are never going to be at the top of their attention, they have too many things that way more important to them.
sexy11.15.07 - 12:41 am
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Great job everyone. Perhaps corking should have been addressed more directly as something done out of necessity and for safety. Their sore point was definitely the corking.
cabhauler11.15.07 - 12:52 am
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I tried to address that indirectly when I answered the question that Bloom threw at Gern, but I was speaking off the top of my head so I didn't express it as well as I might have.
PC11.15.07 - 3:45 am
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Everyone spoke so well. I DO BELIEVE that the city council took our matter into consideration and was impressed with our presentation. The only naysayers and antis I believe there are Holbrook (who has interests with the car dealerships on SM BLVD.) And Genser, especially after my spit about Russell Weller (the unremorseful human waste that drove his car through SM's Farmers Market). The city manager and the city attorney were attentive and interested in our phenomenon.
Genser, attempting to discredit my knowledge of the law said the law isn't that vehicles cannot enter the bicycle lane before the solid line breaks and without signaling, is that they can enter it "The law is 200 feet." 200 feet from what? The interesection? Funny, that's just about where the solid line breaks up, denoting a car can enter. Clearly visible in the photographs, cars driving before the solid line breaks. All I can say is that Genser is a choooch, a chode and a bohemian swamp donkey.
boogalooSHRIMP11.15.07 - 8:09 am
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Boogaloo, even if that car was within 200 ft of the intersection the fact remains that he was not using his turn indicator.
FYI, the 200 ft regulation can be found in CVC #21209
onethirtynine11.15.07 - 11:57 am
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What if the turn indicator was in it's flashed off mode?
onethirtynine --> pwned by kitteh
Knittens11.15.07 - 11:58 am
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I was talking about Alex's testimony, not what you see in the picture.
onethirtynine11.15.07 - 12:42 pm
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Wow!
Great job people. I was really moved by the comments of several of the speakers.
See you all in action really makes clear the degree to which we really are in the midst of a revolution.
It was great to see a diverse group ridazz with as little as a few months experience to those with several years of cycling all expressing a great deal of passion.
There was a little duchebaggery on the council, but all in all I don't see how anybody that believes 1/2 the crap they pedal about having a sustainable city w/o being 100% behind the SMCM.
Also, I thought it was interesting about how they were saying they could not instruct the police. It may be true but in the other hand that would be a sorry excuse for them to use to do nothing. If the SMCC can come out with a proclamation
about our national policy of preemptive war against iraq certainly there must be a way, without violating city rules to take a stand in support of Critical Mass.
trickmilla11.16.07 - 5:14 pm
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Alex Thompson is a beautiful human being.
Props to everyone who went to the city council meeting, it definitely takes courage.
bike punk11.17.07 - 8:40 pm
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Ridazz Roulette!
Enci & I will be there!
I'll be there.
OH
stray topic -