[*BCM*] Massbike To Blaim For Biker Harrasment

[Ari Pollak]

Are you trying to be a troll or are you just coming off that way by
total accident? Just as Critical Mass increases awareness of bicycling
by sheer numbers of bikers, MassBike increases awareness and rights for
bikers by lobbying and cooperating with elected officials; that's right,
cooperating. *gasp* Last time I checked, riding in Critical Mass hasn't
done anything to personally help me as a biker, unless you count people
getting pissed off as helping.

"With great power comes great responsibility."
If police are going to adequately enforce laws barring motorists causing
problems with cyclists on the roadways, bicyclists who break laws
designed to protect themselves and others have to be treated the same
way. You can't expect different groups of people to be enforced
inequitably. Like Tom already said, you already have to show valid ID if
you're biking and you break the law, that document for a Bicyclists'
Bill of Rights doesn't change that fact. Last time I checked, Freedom of
Movement isn't guaranteed in the Constitution; even if it was, I doubt
it would include freedom to break the law.

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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