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A 27 Critical Mass/Corporate Media report

by Irate (iratemix [at] hotmail.com)
Just thought I'd post a corporate media's report (KCBS)about the A 27 Critical Mass,a memorial to Chris Robertson, since there were no other mentions.
1,500 Turn Out for Critical Mass Bike Ride in San Francisco
Source: kcbs
Publication date: 2001-04-28


(KCBS)—In the largest turnout in months, more than 1,500 bicyclists participated Friday evening in the monthly Critical Mass ride in San Francisco.
KCBS reporter Jenny Glick says the gathering was dedicated to bike rider Chris Robertson who was killed in an accident in November near PacBell Park.

Cyclists say the death Friday morning of a 25 year old woman just goes to show how dangerous the roads of San Francisco can be.

One cyclists said that she’s angry that every single day “We risk our lives by riding our bikes. Every day.”

The massive group took over the roads from Justin Herman Plaza to PacBell Park to North Beach.

KCBS reporter George Harris in San Francisco said police increased communication efforts to help ensure a trouble-free ride.

Critical Mass is meant to raise public awareness of alternative forms of transportation. Police inspector Sherman Ackerson said there have been a number of meetings with cycling organizations since the summer of 1997 when Critical Mass brought the city to its knees.

"We had a confrontation with Critical Mass. After that, we tried to open the dialogue with the bicycle coalition, and various other organizations," Ackerson said. "Our department and many people in the bicycling community have been doing a lot of dialogue. I think we've been at peace for quite a while now, and we hope to keep it that way."

"We all share feelings about that incident, about Robertson's death, and we certainly do understand the frustrations with the result of that," he said. "Bicycle organizations can voice their concerns about what they feel. Yet, at the same time, I don't think we have to break the law. I don't think we have to block traffic."

Ackerson said the department was prepared to respond to traffic problems created by Critical Mass and the game.

KCBS reporter Bob Melrose in San Francisco said the Friday's bike fatality happened on Oak between Franklin and Gough.

San Francisco police said the 25-year old woman was maneuvering through traffic just after nine o’clock, and was straddling two lanes when her bike hit the rear of a stopped pick-up truck. Authorities said the impact caused the woman to fall off her bike, and she was then run over by a slow moving Sunset Scavenger garbage truck. Police are investigating the incident, but they say no drugs or alcohol were involved.

(10:28 pm sam)
by velorutionary X
One thing you won't hear on the corporate media
is that the police took down one legal observer with
a baton in his rear wheel, busting out spokes and
putting him on the ground, then wrestled him
to shut off and take took his video camera..

The corporatist media showed up to video tape
the "bad cyclist" who had been documenting
an angry motorist. at least one corporate media
outlet has portrayed the observer as having
been involved in "traumatizing" the motorist
and his family. they refused to take his
hi-8 footage which showed both that the man
jumped out of his car and made threats, and
that the police tackled the observer
afterwards without cause.

another copwatcher with a camera was given
a harassment citation after he left the ride
later that night.

and never trust the media's or cop's description
of what happens to bicyclists who get killed.
the reporting has been so bad, and the cops are
so biased on top of being totally incompetent
when it comes to pedestrian or bicyclists..

Never forget that the NUMBER ONE BIGGEST SOURCE
OF ADVERTISING DOLLARS for broadcast media is the
auto industry.

also,

most people on the ride agree it was more like
5,000 people, as far as the eye can see

recent rides have been more like 1500

Of course, when 100 people have a bad time at a
ride with 5,000 people, that's such a small
percent.

Vx
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