July 19, 2006
NYPD Wants to Pass Wheel-y Stupid Rule
Oh sweet Jesus! Doesn't the city have anything better to do than harass peaceful cyclists? It's only been six months since a judge ruled that the Critical Mass monthly ride didn't require a permit. Rather than comply with the judge's order, the NYPD has decided to simply change the rules. The New York Times reports:
The Police Department wants to require parade permits for bicyclists traveling in groups of 20 or more, and any bicyclists or walkers who take to the streets in groups of two or more and disobey traffic laws for things like parades, races or protests, according to a public notice filed with the city.The department also wants to require a parade permit for groups of 35 or more protesters who restrict themselves to the sidewalk, officially clarifying a regulation that court rulings described as too vague, according to a police spokesman.
Taken together, the three new rules — which the department will discuss at a public hearing on Aug. 23, at 6 p.m. at police headquarters — would redefine the type of protest and the number of protesters allowed to demonstrate in New York City without first applying for approval from the Police Department.
Is it just us, or does requiring small groups of protestors to register with the police smack of the kind of oppression normally found only in Fascist states? Norman Siegel has it exactly right in this quote he provided to the Post: "[the new rule] radically changes expressive activity and the right to protest in the City of New York."
Normally, this sort of change in the law requires the approval of the City Council, so it will no doubt be challenged in court. Still, if you disagree with the new rule, consider going to the meeting on August 23rd. Sadly, that is the same day as the Atlantic Yards public hearing, so you might not be able to go to both.
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Sue the NYPD over this, someone.
Critical Mass or Atlantic Yards ... what's a prissy yupster with no real invested interest in the community to do?
No, it doesn't, "smack of the kind of oppression normally found only in Fascist states" - it is just you.
While I dont agree with the 35 people protest rule they are thinking about, I do agree with the 20 people biking proposal.
Lets be honest people, critical mass was created to be pro bike and show the fat cats that bikes are the best alternative transportation. Its a cute little idea with no real chance of ever happening.
All critical mass-Nyc does is get in the way of pedestrians, and cabs and basically, people with places to go and people to see.
If you all want to ride around in a cute little circle, then do it over at Mccaren pool and get the HELL OFF THE ROAD already. Geez people, your not 9 yrs old anymore!
I'll support this rule if they adopt something similar for cars: 20 cars or more going down the same street must get a permit. Penalties for not getting a permit would include arrest and confiscation of violators' vehicles.
"Anything that impedes emergency vehicles has to be regulated in this day and age, and that's exactly what the PD is doing here," said Vallone, a longtime champion of the NYPD.
Of course it does not occur to these idiot's that what really impedes "emergency vehicles" are other cars and trucks.
Not pedestrians or bikes.
What they need to do is find away to cut down on automobile traffic. NOT harass pedestrians and bikers.
Valone - you are an complete stupid douche bag! I hope you get hit by an emergency vehicle rushing to a Dunkin Donuts.
If the new stupid 35 pedestrian bullshit passes, I would have gotten harassed when my bachelor party went from a resturant to a bar.
Lets just let the idiots rule and make criminals out of people who are not.
What's the deal - is CM antagonistic to peds? When I biked CM in Berkeley/SF (where CM in this country started), peds were always, really respected and given room to do their thing. Is CM out here just about bikes or is it about all alternatves to the car? P.S. The cops out there suck, too, with regard to their attitude about CM.
NYPD really does have some idiotic people advising it. If this even makes it through, you will see NYCLU in court over it. Given the previous court order regarding critical mass, this is not even close to sound legal ground. In the meantime, CM should be split into multiple rides, each with 19 bicyclists criss-crossing N/S and E/W.
"All critical mass-Nyc does is get in the way of pedestrians, and cabs and basically, people with places to go and people to see."
Yes! Damn them for expecting the same rights anyone else in a Car or Motorbike has! WTF were they thinking?!?! Freaking Commies!!!!
(ahem)
Out of Curiosity: Are Motorcycles included Or just the Eeeeeevil Bicycles? While I think the "Fascist state" comparison was a tad over the Top, I'm not comfortable getting Approval from the Gov't to Congregate in a "Protests". I'm pretty certain the Founding Fathers didn't go for such BS.
And Just What is up the Adminstrations Ass about Cyclists? Did the NYPD got after the Pillow Fight in Union Square? That was arguably more of a headache to the NYPD...
"If the new stupid 35 pedestrian bullshit passes, I would have gotten harassed when my bachelor party went from a resturant to a bar."
Did you combine your bachelor party with, say, a war protest? If not, then you don't have a problem. 35 people remaining in the same spot on the sidewalk screaming and protesting with signs is a nuisance.
Ever seen a tourist family of 4 stand on the sidewalk? If they mess up the flow of pedestrians I think a 35 strong protest does.
Damn S.D. you and I are ALWAYS on the opposite ends of arguments in these posts.
I bet we'd make good friends!
And getting around in a car in Manhattan is a good and efficient way for "people with places to go and people to see"?
BWAAAAAAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHA!!!!!
Gee, Sam. Thanks for summing that all up for everyone. I was just wondering if the fact that cars kill 2-300 people a year in NYC, get millions of square feet of free street parking and are destroying the environment had anything to do with this issue. I guess not. Your summary perfectly captures the whole thing.
Yeah, you convinced me: all gatherings of more than 20 people should be illegal without a permit. Protests are so juvenile, especially in this day and age when the government is doing everything right and free speech is assured. Go soak your head.
And regarding the imedement of emergency vehicles? Studies show that if the city stopped granting muni employees free parking the number of rush hour cars in Manhattan would be reduced by 10 to 14 thousand. The traffic impact of a Critical Mass ride has been shown to be considerably less than 10k cars. Which means that the city itself is promoting more delays for Firefighters and EMTs every single day than the once a month CM ever has. A study has also shown that on a CM day your chances of being held up by the mass in Manhattan are about 1%. The average amount of time you would be held up is a litel more than 5 minutes. So in any given year you have about a 1 in 10 chance of being hung in the street in Manhattan for 5-10 minutes. Your anger is misplaced. Go fight for police enforcement of 'Don't block the block' laws instead for speedier trips.
What the PD should be focusing on outlawing is 2 or more cops collectively standing around idly scratching their nuts while pretending they're useful.
Seriously, do these guys do much more than just put in face time? Other than harrassing ordinary citizens, I mean?
Also targeted would be groups of 35 or more pedestrians "proceeding together along a sidewalk" without pre-approval.
It is not just about protesters.
At least the way it is worded in the article.
You know the cops would abuse this rule and harass people to reach their ticket quota.
Hey Sam, Likely we'd get along Fine!
;)
I'm pretty Nuetral about Critcal Mass, but as I've mentioned, Not too keen on Gov't giving Permission to protest.
Say it with me now... Cops. Hate. Cyclists.
Or at least the brass do, and the tone is set from the top.
I come from a cop family and it kills me to criticize the PD, but the truth is the truth.
While I have my own experience of this (with a cop watching me stagger to my feet after being on the ground unconscious for two minutes without calling for help) one need only to look at the video from the other day of the guy pretending to steal a bike to know that it's true. The guy with the hacksaw looks like a biker dude, and the police assume "oh, it's between the bikers" and do nothing.
One does wish that the time, effort, and manpower made to clear bicycles off the streets could be put to something more productive, like protecting children from abusive parents or tracking down rapists. It makes you wonder if there is a new Cop-Stat for bikers cleared.
Uh, please don't turn bicycle riding regulations into some kind of a totalitarian/political rhetoric.
If you were talking about how current economic policy flexibility discourse is allowing individuals to create their own personal empires, then maybe such a comment could be made, but otherwise, you just sound silly and naive.
It's interesting that so many want to dig their heads into the sand. Ever heard of the US Constitution and the right of peaceful assembly in the First Amendment? Critical Mass is an excellent way for people to show the benefits to the community and to the individual of biking while maintaining the current status quo only brings more disease and environmental harm. Not to mention the filling the pockets of people who have no regard for the communities that they are harming.
I propose more legislation that would require drivers who want to enter Manhattan to show that they have important business here. As Sam points out, there are people out there with places to go and things to do (even on the one Friday evening per month in the one tiny part of the city during the few minutes when CM is passing through). There are many drivers who come to Manhattan simply to cruise or sightsee. These drivers take up road space that other drivers, and especially emergency vehicles, with legitimate business, could be using. And I propose even more legislation that would force those potential automobile drivers who do have legitimate business to use other forms of transport (either public or non-motorized) for coming into Manhattan if it cannot be demonstrated that a vehicle is required for that trip. I think even Sam would agree that this kind of legislation would be good for the city as a whole.
Tim N., Gotta agree with the Brass assesment. The Cops I do know are indiferent about Critical Mass. Seems the Mayor has it in for them after the RNC...
Nuts.
Meanwhile, the city is spending money putting flower decals on taxis! They should be throwing rose petals at cyclists.
Timbnyc is correct. They should be throwing rose petals at us. I am a serious cyclist, yet I can't remember the last time I biked through a colorful cascade of fragrant blossoms. This is unacceptable.
I'm going to be biking home within a few hours, and I'll be extremely unhappy if I'm not drunk on the scent of fresh roses by the time I walk in my door.
Someone get on this.
Chris said, "35 people remaining in the same spot on the sidewalk screaming and protesting with signs is a nuisance." First of all, a nuisance to you might be life and death for the people protesting. And when was the last time any kind of protest put you out in some measurable way?
Freedom of speech is fundamental to a functioning, free and equal society. The many ways to practice our freedom of speech all further the cause. We should be removing laws that hinder free speech instead of inacting new laws.
The whole CM/NYPD thing is about power and the police and politicians (or anyone who justifies power-grabbing by using the phrase "in this day and age") are exploiting 9/11 and a polarized public to gain more power. People like Bruce Smolka (a pig on two legs if there ever was one) thrive on control and power. For people like him, it's personal, and CM is like a middle finger pointing straight at the inadequacies of Smolka, Valone, Bloomberg, the NYPD, and the whole system that keeps them in power.
It's time for some real protests. We need to re-arrange the system so that it puts power back in the people's hands and not a few crooked cops and politicians.
we've said it before, and we'll say it again (go see "still we ride" and other sources of criticalmass documentation).........
critical mass is a test case for freedom of speech.
that is why any damn freedom loving bastard has GOT to support critical mass no matter where they stand in the political spectrum (and literally too when the ride passes through the streets of nyc)!!!
ha.
eat it biker fags.
20 or more cars should need a permit.
Beaches.
A test case for political speech? All this time people were lead to believe the goal was better conditions for urban bicycling and sustainable transportation. I guess that's why CM would rather antagonize the NYPD than attend city council meetings and gather petitions. That would be too much work.
And I agree with Jay, stop with the totalitarian/political rhetoric. While we're at it, let's call it what it is: CM is a joyride, not serious political speech. More words are written about CM than it has ever deserved (at least in this city).
Why should they stop the totalitarian/political "rhetoric"? I'm not a participant in CM, but it seems to me that putting restrictions on citizens' rights to public dissent is a means to control political speech. Of course they're not banning it outright, but they are choking the spirit of this fundamental right.
It's been really quite obvious since the first mass protest in 2003 that the mayor and nypd have it out for CM, anti-war protesters, and the like.
I guess that's why CM would rather antagonize the NYPD than attend city council meetings and gather petitions. That would be too much work.
Really Glenn? You know for a fact that all CM participants (either occasional or fulltime) do not engage in any other civic activities? No, of course you don't.
This is already on its way to being challenged:
http://www.nyclu.org/protestrights_nyc_pr_071906.html
In the meantime, may the lazy and corrupt NYPD brass have their genitals infected by leishmaniasis.
CM peeps must love this...they can tell there grandkids warstories how they fought the man back in the early 21st century. Bikes are great....give them more space...but if I'm crossing the street with the light and you rip through a red light don't tell me to get out of the way prick...
Bike club rides, following the rules of the law (stopping for red lights, riding single file, etc.) and that are neither protests nor parades, will be banned without a permit if this proposed rule goes into effect. Why? It's ridiculous!
Yadda yadda, you people are all like children fighting over cyclists versus cops.
Are you people blind? The horrendous thing about this issue is not about cyclists, it's about how our principles of government are crumbling.
How can a police department essentially create legislation in a democracy? How can only a certain number of people speaking at the same time be illegal in a democracy? What country is this? Does anyone even know WHY this country was even founded in the first place?
The issue at hand is not cycling. It's about our leaders doing whatever they want, with no checks and balances, just because we "trust" them to do the right thing. Over and over again throughout history, we saw what these things led to. It *always* starts with something trivial (like Critical Mass), but letting things like this go will certainly clear a path to tyranny in the years to come. Look it up in your Funk & Wagnall's.
I fully agree with the Ghost. I thought I was the only one wondering how the Police can make laws.
CM stands for many different things from safer streets, to less car traffic and fewer potholes (you know, some of the stuff the car people LOVE), to oil-free sustainable transportation, to picking up girls.
I'm always amazed when people actually thing CM blocks emergency vehicles or causes traffic. I wonder if people who think that have ever been in NYC. It amuses me to ride between cars in the gridlock that stretches for blocks. In a few recent CMs in Manhattan, a fire truck mysteriously disappears and the riders move to the side ... leaving the cars and drivers running the red lights and causing gridlock in the way. Oops, I mean the cars cot onm the sidewalk and the cyclists blocked the intersection.
Without getting too far off of the subject, everyone needs to work together. People in cars need to pay attention (put the cell phone down, drink the coffee at the red light ... ), pedestrians need to pay attention to the cars and cyclists, cyclists need to follow some rules - at least when there are other cyclists or peds around (like on the Williamsburg Bridge!).
It should be much more expensive and difficult to (legally) drive a car not only in NYC but everywhere. Its like the current administration wants to drain the life and character out of NYC and turn it into the cheap, plastic strip malls and expressways that choke the rest of the country.
It just makes no sense.
If Critical Mass didn't screw up traffic and impede pedestrian and vehicular traffic by disobeying some simple traffic and vehicle laws this would not even have been proposed.
Some jerks on bicycles think they can disrupt the city and don't give a care about the rest other New Yorker.
http://5bbc.org/nypdparade.pdf
To do something about this, go here
To All Critcal Mass Participants :
Is there anyone who rides a bike in NYC environs who is interested in attending next years - WORLD NUDE BIKE RIDE (WNBR) in either Toronto or Vermont next June?
Anyone interested in organizing a WNBR/NYC event ?
Is Critical Mass as a group interested in WNBR in any way in participating ?
ANYONE into NUDE BIKING ?
Hit me back if this is of interest to anyone!! Cool!
Buddy