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Let’s go back to Alex Thompson’s report on the recent crosswalk protest in Santa Monica for a bit.
Whether or not you agree with their tactics — and judging by the comments, many don’t — or with Critical Mass in general, the key point to me is what lead up to the protest. Because Alex describes a rising level of frustration, as they repeatedly tried to deal with the local government, but were rebuffed and ignored at every turn.
From city council members who failed to speak to a single cyclist after promising to explore ways to accommodate the Critical Mass rides, to a scheduled meeting with the chief of police — at the urging of the city manager — which lasted all of 30 seconds before the chief excused himself.
Then there’s the matter of the apparent deliberate writing of false tickets by the S.M.P.D. Alex reports that the police issued over 30 tickets for “no light” violations, then repeatedly checked the box indicating that this was not a correctable violation — resulting in a significant increase in the cost of the ticket, from $10 to $100.
Or this, from a recent post on LAist about the latest Santa Monica Critical Mass ride:
“Santa Monica Police Officers were out in full force, riding motorcycles alongside the Santa Monica Critical Mass and citing cyclists for leaving the bike lane (not a violation of the law – CVC 21208), taking control of a traffic lane (not a violation of the law – CVC 21202) and turning left from a left turn lane. (again, not a violation of the law- CVC 22100).”
In other words, the local police were writing tickets for supposed violations that were not against the law. And they wonder why the Crimanimalz felt a need to protest?
Call me crazy, but when the police break the law in order to enforce it, something is seriously wrong.
Now, as a certified Angeleno, I may not live in Santa Monica, but I do spend a lot of time there. More to the point, I also spend a lot of money there — as do many other cyclists, I’m sure.
Which means that we help support the city’s many restaurants, retailers and nightclubs, as well as making a significant contribution to the city coffers.
And while I am not a fan of the tactics employed by Critical Mass — as I’ve said before, I find them counterproductive — I can’t see myself economically supporting a city that would ignore any group of citizens, cyclists or otherwise, who actively reach out for dialogue with city officials. Or who would allow the local police make up their own laws in order to rein in an activity they clearly disagree with.
Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting a boycott of local businesses. Not yet, anyway.
But the government in Santa Monica needs to wake up, start a dialogue, and stop the heavy handed tactics. And local business owners need to pressure their political leaders to find a way to accommodate everyone who lives in, or does business in, their city — without violating the law themselves.
Maybe the Crimanimalz and S.M. Critical Mass should hire a good lawyer. And start to consider tactics that could be far more effective than delaying traffic for awhile.
The Daily News says things aren’t so bad for cyclists in Los Angeles, and getting better. But I wonder if those 1,252 miles of bike routes, lanes and paths in L.A. County they refer to include un-ridable sections like sign for the designated bike route I saw on eastbound Pico at Sepulveda yesterday — which I would only recommend to someone with a death wish.
Meanwhile, Chicago’s bike meister tells Canadians to share the road. But the interesting part of the article in buried inside, where they mention new laws that prohibit “…opening a car door on a cyclist, parking or driving in a bike lane, passing within three feet of a bike, and turning left or right into the path of a cyclist…” with fines ranging from $150 to $500. And a minimum fine of $12,500 and up to a year in jail if careless driving results in the death of a cyclist or pedestrian. When we get laws like that, then our local pols can claim to support cyclist.
And finally, Bike Girl inspires Gary to rhapsodize on locking up.
I’m glad we can see eye to eye on part of this issue. The lack of responsiveness of government is irritating. Oddly enough – it seems that many people are most upset that we would protest, and that the protest would be disruptive, but are not upset by the reasons. That I do not understand at all – it seems like Americans really hate protest, despite our self professed love of free speech.
I think the problem is not that you protested, but that you did it by disrupting that most sacred of all SoCal cows, the orderly flow of traffic. God forbid. Not that traffic flows that well around there to begin with.
On the other hand, under the circumstances, you had good reason to be upset, and every reason to protest. I just think it’s more effective to get the public on your side, rather than choosing tactics that are likely to turn them against you. I’ve learned the hard way that many people don’t like cyclists to begin with, and it doesn’t take much for them to turn on you, no matter how justified your cause.
But who knows? Choose a tactic that I can get on board with next time, and you might find me manning the barricades with you.
I agree that if the police harassment continues, another respone besides the Crimanimalz may be needed. …something more people can feel comfortable supporting. Although, I’ve only been riding with the SMCM for a few months, and it seems like many attempts to resolve this have already been made.
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