It’s sad to read about the unhappy relationship between New York City police and cyclists on Critical Mass rides. This will no doubt only get worse following the crash between two motocycle cops at the recent Critical Mass ride in Manhattan.
I’m not really into Critical Mass myself but looking at the local discussion board relations with police don’t seem to be a problem here in Melbourne. Not to the degree they are in NYC at any rate.
Different
Melbourne Bicycle Squad
How different is the way the Victoria Police Force relates to riders. For example, as I trundled through Fed Square this morning I noticed a booth set up by Victoria’s finest to provide free security engraving for bicycles – an initiative that “greatly assists in getting the bike back to the owner if it was stolen and recovered”. What a simple public service that can only help increase cooperation and respect between cyclists and police.
History
Somehow I can’t see the New York police holding a bike engraving day anytime soon. It’s a shame because New York City has a long history of cycling cops, a tradition that has been revived in a number of the city’s precincts.
Dunno what NY is like, but first appearances can be deceptive; a long and generally productive relationship between CM and police in Victoria soured last year largely due to interence from media and politicians (surprise surprise).
Posted by catfood | 5 March 2006, 12:40 amare you shitting me? either your a cop, or you are clueless. relations between cops and CM is at a near alltime low When Russell tried to be neutral, or even friendly to CM he got basically forced into resigning
Posted by get a clue | 5 March 2006, 6:33 amWell I’m not a cop, so I must be clueless. And I was perfectly upfront about that – I don’t claim to know anything about Critical Mass.
My main observation is that whatever the situation between CM and the police in Melbourne, to this external observer it doesn’t appear to have deteriorated to the degree that things have in New York City. But appearances can be deceptive, and that may just be due to the blogs and web sites that I’m reading.
Posted by Treadly&Me | 5 March 2006, 12:47 pmI mostly agree with the author. P’haps not all is sunshine and roses, but you don’t have the police trying to shutdown CM as has been happening in NYC. If things in Melbourne were a hair as bad as in NYC, every rider would know it. It was a big deal last October when there were 0 arrests at CM for the first time in many months.
I recommend the film “Still We Ride”, showing at this film festival (http://www.celluloidcycles.com.au/ ) in early april for a good look at how shitty CM can get.
Posted by bikefunnist | 5 March 2006, 1:44 pmHrmmm, do some research, google is free! Needless, check all the blog entries several of us have made on the issue.
Critical Mass, scum journalism and the Victoria Police http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2005/02/88332.php
Critical Mass: 150 Police to Ensure City Link Profits http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2004/11/83390.php
… and not forgetting June ’03, how could we forget that?!?
Critical Mass’s Controversial Burnley Tunnel Ride… And What Happened Afterwards http://www.melbourne.indymedia.org/news/2003/07/51069.php
Posted by cfsmtb | 5 March 2006, 10:07 pm