[*BCM*] Massbike To Blame For Biker Harrasment

[Tom Landers]

They asked for your ID because you were getting a ticket for no headlight.
It's not "show me your papers" just for being in a public place - you did something
against the law, in front of a cop.

Getting a ticket is sort of a courtesy - it lets you avoid being booked and/or appearing
in court. They can trust you are who you say, because your ID says so.
Maybe that's silly, maybe not.


--- contraelolvido at riseup.net wrote:

> "Just taking the class will increase my awareness of bicycles on the
> roadways. I believe I will be more inclined to take enforcement actions
> now than I was in the past." - police officer, Homewood, Ill.
> 
> "I will make an effort to do more enforcement towards bikers who disregard
> traffic devices and towards motorists who exhibit dangerous behavior
> towards bikers." - police officer - Ann Arbor, Mich.
> 
> Today, biking through cambridge I was pulled over by two cops. They called
> me over and asked who I was, where I was going. This surprised me as ID is
> only needed when driving a car, not when walking or biking. Freedom of
> movement is a right, not a privilege. And yet, there they were asking for
> my papers. Not wanting to get arrested, I obliged. I was told that I was
> getting a ticket for not having a headlight.
> 
> Now, cambridge cops never used to harrass bicyclists, and yet at least
> three of my freinds also recieved tickets tonight in central? Through my
> discussions with the cops, and some online research, I put 2 and 2
> together and realized that only after Massbike's awarness trainings did
> the coppers start to harrass bicyclists.
> 
> There aren't many laws that relate to bikes, yet. Looking at a petition in
> the state house (http://www.mass.gov/legis/bills/house/ht01/ht01411.htm)
> massbike wants to make it that all bicyclists have to be willing to show
> ID. The proposition wants to regulate bicycles, just as cars were.
> 
> The same liberal strategy of creating laws to regulate every aspect of
> life is sickening and disgusting. I challenge Dorie Clark to show one
> statistic that more enforcement of laws, or more laws in general, keeps
> anyone safer.  In almost every law enforcment area, from drug use to
> liqour, as society has moved from individual discretion to legal
> enforcement, incident rates have risen.
> 
> What Massbike doesn't understand, is that bike's aren't cars. They don't
> pose nearly the threat to others, nor even to the rider. If I want to ride
> down a quiet well light street at night without having a light, I should
> be able to. If I get hurt, it's my fault.
> 
> Instead, Massbike wants to increase ticketing and harrasment of bikers,
> increases fines (and of course, to whom do you think this money goes...
> more  Massbike trainings of course). So while middle-class liberals sit
> back in their comfy homes and legislate away at my life, taking the money
> of honest, safe bike riders so their coalition can feel important, real
> cops, in real cities, give real people (who can't afford it) real trouble.
> 
> This precisely is why no one is running to join massbike or any other
> liberal group for that matter. Instead of thinking that you know what's
> best for everyone, and claiming to speak for all bicylcists, get over
> yourself. Hundreds of people show up for critical mass out of their own
> free initiative to, by their own effort, make bicylcing safer in boston.
> How many people show up for Mass Bike meetings?
> 
> I request Dori Clark (or another massbike member) to explain the following:
> 1) Why they believe that taking money from bikers is a good idea?
> 2) Where the money goes.
> 3) Whether or not they will compensate people hurt by their stupid laws.
> 
> Hope to generate some discussion, sorry for this being excessively long.
> 


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