9/9/2002: Bad policing

warch · 09-09-2002, 05:55 PM

I would have to agree that this image and the accompanying information do not lead me to label this "bad" policing. That the CM folk are fractured within: those choosing to run a "wuss" ride, (obeying traffic regulations) and those wanting a more confrontational style of "action" leads me to believe that the confrontation, chaos, and reactions are just what was desired by the second faction. That the law abiding riders are labeled "wuss" is telling. Is running a red light effective civil disobedience? I can see carving out a bike lane where there is none, but I dont get the disregard for signals. Its a more visually impressive mass I suppose. Someone's spoiling for a fight, and perhaps it isnt the cops. Looks like potential for good people and assholes on both sides of this event. There seem to be several agendas going within the CM riders.

There are monthly CM rides here in Mpls, only a bit of police citations- to counter the "corking". There is more of an issue with car driver vs. biker road rage, and the cops have had to negotiate those incidents. For a while the police tactic was to have bike cops ride along, but that was perceived as an escort- a close relationship not desired by either side really- for the cops it seemed like partisanship, for the CM hardcore it was too "wussy".

Hey, I wuss ride everyday. And luckily I have bike lanes on most of the streets, that were won through neighborhood/city lobby and vote. Yes I hate it when I get cut off by a car or a bike, almost clocked by some biker going the wrong direction in the lane, threatened by a car door, or my lane is hogged by a bus. But that is traffic. I wear a helmet and try not to hit anything. And if any vehicle ran a red light at me, I hope the cops would catch 'em and cite 'em.

09-09-2002, 05:55 PM	#16
warch lurkin old school Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Minnesota Posts: 2,796	I would have to agree that this image and the accompanying information do not lead me to label this "bad" policing. That the CM folk are fractured within: those choosing to run a "wuss" ride, (obeying traffic regulations) and those wanting a more confrontational style of "action" leads me to believe that the confrontation, chaos, and reactions are just what was desired by the second faction. That the law abiding riders are labeled "wuss" is telling. Is running a red light effective civil disobedience? I can see carving out a bike lane where there is none, but I dont get the disregard for signals. Its a more visually impressive mass I suppose. Someone's spoiling for a fight, and perhaps it isnt the cops. Looks like potential for good people and assholes on both sides of this event. There seem to be several agendas going within the CM riders. There are monthly CM rides here in Mpls, only a bit of police citations- to counter the "corking". There is more of an issue with car driver vs. biker road rage, and the cops have had to negotiate those incidents. For a while the police tactic was to have bike cops ride along, but that was perceived as an escort- a close relationship not desired by either side really- for the cops it seemed like partisanship, for the CM hardcore it was too "wussy". Hey, I wuss ride everyday. And luckily I have bike lanes on most of the streets, that were won through neighborhood/city lobby and vote. Yes I hate it when I get cut off by a car or a bike, almost clocked by some biker going the wrong direction in the lane, threatened by a car door, or my lane is hogged by a bus. But that is traffic. I wear a helmet and try not to hit anything. And if any vehicle ran a red light at me, I hope the cops would catch 'em and cite 'em.

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