The monthly disorganized bike ride under the umbrella name Critical Mass took place again yesterday (last Friday of every month, 7pm @ Union Square) with almost no bullshit.

The cops did split the group up. I was at the end of the first group and they were tailing us until one block on the UES where they started clipping bikers. They would ride up alongside a cyclist and force them to fall or push them onto the sidewalk with their scooters. They were also grabbing people and chasing them. It was no fun, it was actually really scary.

Apparently the cops have been just grabbing 5 or 6 people every month, sort of as token souvenirs or something. This is pretty depressing. I took part in one Critical Mass pre-RNC and it was so much fun. The cops were actually helping us, directing traffic, preventing cars from being crazy and trying to ride among bikes. Then, the RNC hit (as well as the biggest CM’s ever) and all hell broke loose. A friend of mine got arrested and detained (illegally, in an old bus depot). He’s still part of a lawsuit against the city, while the city’s just dragging its feet.

Anyways, Critical Mass is mostly fun, sometimes stressful, but always a good way to express your support of alternative transportation. It’s thrilling to be riding on the street and watching pedestrians just stare at this mass of bikes in awe. Many cheer us on, most are just like “What is this?” (there’s also some bike people that hand out explanatory flyers to onlookers) and most cars bear their delay grudgingly while a select few also cheer us on. It’s a good feeling.

PS: That picture is from a 2003 Critical Mass, not last night’s.