Police crack down on cyclist group's traffic tactic

Register now, it's free!
Log In | Customer Care

Police crack down on cyclist group's traffic tactic

By STACY SHELTON
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Published on: 07/08/08

After years of looking the other way, Atlanta police recently cracked down on a monthly bicycle ride through the city streets that includes blocking cars and flouting traffic laws.

At least 10 officers, eight on motorcycles and two in patrol cars, followed more than 300 bicyclists through downtown Atlanta, Little Five Points and Virginia-Highland on June 27 from about 6:30 to 8 p.m. Most of the bicyclists stopped for red lights they normally would have ignored. At least two bicyclists were ticketed for disobeying traffic laws.

TRISH ANDERSON / Special

(ENLARGE)

Critical Mass bikers in May head east on Marietta Street in downtown Atlanta, near Centennial Olympic Park and the CNN Center.

Recent headlines:

• Atlanta and Fulton County news

Atlanta police Officer Ron Campbell said the police targeted the bicyclists because they did not have a permit to stop traffic.

"When you don't have the permit, you have to obey the traffic laws," Campbell said. "If bikers are out there and they're not obeying the traffic laws, we will ticket them."

The bicyclists were participating in Critical Mass, an international bike movement that arrived in Atlanta in 1999. On the last Friday of every month, they take over streets. They ride four and five abreast and "cork" intersections to block cars and allow the mass to stay together through red lights.

It can take several light changes for the entire group to roll through an intersection. Cars also get jammed up behind the mass, traveling at the pedaling speed of about 10 miles per hour. In the past, some motorists have honked angrily at the bicyclists while others yelled at them to get out of the way. Many more quietly waited it out.

The in-your-face message to drivers is that bicyclists also have a right to the road. When there are enough bicyclists — a critical mass — it also shows drivers what it feels like to be the second-class vehicle.

Atlanta police generally have taken a see-no-evil approach to the loosely organized monthly event that starts in downtown Atlanta's Woodruff Park, although occasionally bicyclists have been ticketed. During the April ride, a police officer directing traffic for the Bruce Springsteen concert at Philips Arena stopped cars to let the bicyclists through.

Last month's show of force was a departure from past practice and amounted to a crackdown. It came one month after an article about the event appeared in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, publicity that bicyclist Shelby Highsmith said police could not ignore. The rides also have grown much larger, from fewer than 30 riders a month to groups that approach 400.

Police in other cities, where riders number in the thousands, also have tried to control Critical Mass. In Chicago last August, police took control of a ride and forbade bicyclists to complete the route.

Highsmith, a graduate student in mechanical engineering at Georgia Tech, said Critical Mass would not be the same if the bicyclists followed the rules.

"The little bit of disruptiveness and the civil disobedience is a part of raising awareness [about bicycles] in a more conspicuous way," he said.

The group wants both better infrastructure for bicycles, including bike racks and lanes, and to show drivers that they, too, can hop out of the car and onto a bike.

Even within the bicycling community, Critical Mass is controversial. The split is over whether the monthly rides create more enemies than allies, and whether breaking traffic laws is ever OK.

In response to Critical Mass, a group of bicyclists is starting an event called Courteous Mass at 6:30 p.m. on July 11. It also starts at Woodruff Park, but these bikers will be obeying the rules. According to the blog publicizing the event, "this ride isn't intended as a protest ... it's simply an experiment. And, of course, another chance to ride bikes!"

Vote for this story!

Related Subjects

Expand this list

Comments

By connie

Jul 10, 2008 4:19 PM | Link to this

to all of the cyclists who don't participate in critical mass because riders disobey stop lights: come to courteous mass this friday! and to all motorists who seem to be so angry about critical mass: it's once a month. take a deep breath and relax.

gas isn't getting any cheaper. more cyclists are showing up on the roads. and they're not going anywhere. no laws will ever be passed to ban cyclists from all roads.

By atlanta

Jul 10, 2008 8:43 AM | Link to this

"I am so healthy, I ride a bike......" - There are other ways to exercise, try running, it is actually much more demanding on the body. And lose the attitude, I will share the road and don't think I am better than anyone else, but you guys act like little selfish childern with your critical mass stunt. You think you are trying to save the world, so this is your cause, getting bike lanes. Seriously? Try renting the "The Devil Came on Horseback" if you want a cause.

By Tree Hugger

Jul 9, 2008 8:53 AM | Link to this

again..... you are welcome!

By AlanS

Jul 9, 2008 8:50 AM | Link to this

sorry

a healthy bitter old man

By Jack Stilton

Jul 9, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

Just because I don't ride a bike anymore doesn't mean I am unhealthy. When I exercise, I do not hold up anyone else's life. If I jog, I don't jog down the middle of the road with 15 cars behind me, I get over in the grass, or hit the treadmill at the house. I don't care that there are a bunch of people who think they are Lance Armstrong, just get out of the way or get on some back road that nobody travels on, because you are endangering yourself and the cars that the road was built for.

When I was 15 riding a bike on back roads, my dad told me to stop get off the bike and wait for the car to pass by, I had enough sense to know that the cars were bigger than me on road and didn't have this attitude of I have every right to be on this road and you will have to dodge oncoming traffic to go around me.

As for ole tree hugger, $6 gas is right around the corner. You and your anti capitalist buddies using the environment as your tool have successfully put this country into a recession, by stopping this country from drilling and now we use corn for gas. Now there are people in other countries, rioting and starving, because the price of food has doubled.

Hope your happy Al Gore and BTW my car gets 50MPG and I am not a tree hugger! I saw this crisis coming 3 years ago and was prepared for it.

Drill drill drill and build nuke plants. When the 1st electric car comes out I will be in line to get one, but I am not riding a Spandex machine to work, with 4000 lbs vehicles zooming by me, with a I belong here attitude.

By taylor

Jul 9, 2008 8:13 AM | Link to this

When I first read AJC's spin on critical mass I was kind of torn which side to take but after reading all the negative comments about cyclist on this blog I can now see why critical mass is needed and will try my best to participate in it myself next time.

bike on!

By AlanS

Jul 9, 2008 8:07 AM | Link to this

Let this be a lesson to all of you
you have a choice.

you can

1 give up cycling at 16 like our friend Jack did and become an bitter ornery unhealthy old person

or

2 keep riding a bike every chance you get and be happy joyous youthful healthy individuals

By Tree Hugger

Jul 9, 2008 7:58 AM | Link to this

Jack

You are welcome! stick around maybe we can get gas prices up to $6/gallon

By jill82

Jul 8, 2008 11:58 PM | Link to this

The issue with Critical Mass is that it is an example of a successful civilian movement promoting fair allocation of the resources for transit equally for pedestrians, bikers and all users, not just cars. The issue is that many CM rides are huge and exemplify successful protest in a disorganized chaotic but symbiotic manner. Across the USA and around the world the message from the elites in government has been to shut down and discredit the CM movement.

Here in San Francisco we have witnessed government agents moving among bikers as false protesters to incite violence and discredit the movement. They have been identified with video and still cameras and identified as agents, which is an illegal action. Furthermore, the arrests made here have literally all been thrown out and dismissed.

So it is clear that both, CM is powerful as an example of political action and that the Federal government is using sophisticated tactics to infiltrate and discredit the movement. Thankfully the peaceful activists have shown to be nearly invincible, correct and sympathetic characters while the violent and ill informed federal provocateurs have further discredited themselves and brought evidence that order for a policing role is another Big Lie.

By Brave

Jul 8, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this

I love all these brave men and women who talk about hurting cyclists while sitting snuggly in their cars. In California the other day, a motorist pulled in front of two cyclists going down a hill and locked the brakes. One cyclist went through the rear window, almost disconnected his nose, broke out his teeth and did 90 stitches worth of cuts to his face. Funny huh? What is really funny is how the guy driving is now facing felony assault with a deadly weapon charges. The doctor, yes this wonderful human being is an emergency room doctor, could also lose his license to practice medicine for his actions. Then the lawsuits are coming, and soooo many cyclists are lawyers- it would amaze you how many! This guy who thought he was going to be tough and hurt a few cyclists will be facing complete destruction of his life for many, many years. While I feel so badly for the cyclists, I feel complete joy at the havoc descending down upon this doctor who decided to hurt a few cyclists. Think about that when you brave men and women think about hurting a cyclist. Think about how your life can change. That does not even include the guilt, if any of you are even able to feel that. Then think about a kid at home who may not see their parent again- could be you or the cyclist. Google "LAist Road Rage" and read all about it.

[1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10] next