Critical Mass Bike Ride and The LAPD

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Los Angeles:  The Los Angeles Police Department supports and encourages responsible cycling as well as cyclists’ right to fair and equitable use of the roadways.  The Department is also committed to protecting cyclist’s 1st amendment right to call attention to issues affecting their community.
In keeping with the Department’s mission and in response to the cycling community’s calls for police involvement and participation, the LAPD will be present at the next Los Angeles Critical Mass ride scheduled for September 24, 2010.

Critical Mass attracts hundreds, and at times, thousands of cyclists.  People come together for a variety of reasons:  To assert their right to cleaner air, less congestion, safer roads, more infrastructure, as well as celebrating riding in solidarity with others.   

However, there are some that use Critical Mass as an opportunity to commit illegal and dangerous activities, which are counterproductive to the intended message of Critical Mass and generate many community complaints.  
The LAPD wants to ensure responsible cyclists who participate in Critical Mass that the Department will be there to support the riders and the underlying message of Critical Mass.

LAPD officers will be present to ensure the safety of all those who lawfully participate and will take enforcement action against those who violate the law or the vehicle code.  

The LAPD’s position is “Follow the Ride, Follow the Law.”

Those coming to Critical Mass and engage in any of the following activity who cast the event in a negative light, will be subject to citation or arrest:

• Vandalism
• Thefts
• Assaults
• Criminal Threats
• Drinking in Public
• Smoking/using illicit substances
• Driving/Riding under the influence
• Running red lights/Stop sign
• Crossing the center line or riding against traffic
• Participants under the age of 18 must wear a helmet
• Participants should have necessary lighting equipment
• All bikes must have brakes or otherwise comply with the braking requirements
  

The LAPD says come and ride Critical Mass responsibly. We will see you there!!!

For further information, please call LAPD Bicycle Liaison, Sergeant David Krumer at 213-486-6059.  During non-business hours or on weekends, calls may be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7.  Anyone wishing to remain anonymous may call Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (800-222-8477).  Tipsters may also contact Crimestoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) using a cell phone.  All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.”  Tipsters can also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.

Comments

[Ed O'Shea]

I'm just thoroughly disgusted with this department and the lack of leadership from the Sergeant II's on up to Chief Beck himself! Just disgusted!

[JB]

I suggest Dept leaders and officers go to "you tube" and watch some the videos posted by critical mass riders. The blatant disrespect for motorists and the vehicle code is obvious. The riders essentially give the middle finger to the Dept, the law and good citizens of LA every time one of these rides take place. When are we going aggressively police these things?

[Jimmy McNulty]

Eventually, some angry motorist is going to plow into this group, killing and maiming several of them. Then the lawsuits against the city will come, blaming the department for allowing the victims (plaintiffs) to engage in these unlawful rides and were responsible for their protection.