08/25 Critical Mass: Mission Failed!

The "Critical Mass Bike Ride" of August 25th was neither massive nor critical. Within minutes of starting the ride, the bikers rode straight into a police ambush! Officer Martin (Badge #161) and Sergeant Erik W. Swannak had their respective patrol car (number 166) and SUV parked at the corner of Maple and Pacific (in front of Streetlight Records, across from the Metro Station). Most of the bikers had ridden past them before they struck, stopping a woman who was riding a tall bike. The other bikers returned as Officer Martin started writing her a ticket. Most of the bikers assembled on the sidewalk at the command of Sergeant Swannak (fastidiously making sure not to block the sidewalk), but many departed for less police-infested areas of town (their homes, the Bike Church to recruit more people, etc.). The woman was cited (ticketed for an unknown amount of money, probably somewhere around $50?) under S.C. Municipal Code 21201, which states that bike riders must be able to reach the ground with one foot. She was thereby forced to leave the ride and walk home, as well as having to pay money to what is essentially a well-organized gang of highway robbers and assassins.

The Critical Mass, unorganized and intimidated, rode circles around town, making sure to follow traffic regulations. There was talk of having a spontaneous Mystery Ride instead, but there was no mysterious pre-planned adventure. The next Mystery Ride, by the way, is Friday September 1st, meet 5:30 PM and leave 6:00, watch out for the cops! The theme is "zombies," come wearing rags and with black facepaint or something.

My Conclusion: Critical Mass doesn't work as a tactic in Santa Cruz. It is too predictable, weak in numbers, and disorganized. And as far as having fun, I would rather go on a Mystery Ride, despite police harassment of those as well. Attack from a different angle if the model you're following (i.e. Critical Mass) doesn't work!