How can I stop critical mass bike riders?

Question

A bike riding group called "critical mass" is coming back to town.

I of course respect their rights to ride a bike and to free assembly.

The thing is that there are thousands of riders and they are constantly breaking the law. Not riding in line, running red lights etc. Also, the last time they were here they caused a number of accidents as well.

This is a public safety threat to both the riders as well as people in cars and even pedestrians.

In addition to this they are starting to make people angry (myself included) and I predict that this time there are going to be a number of fights as well. People (NOT me!) have already said that they are ready to fight them.

How can I go about getting them shut down or at least getting them to obey the laws?

Answer 1

"How can I stop critical mass bike riders?"  Good aim buddy, good aim.

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I feel your pain though. These @55#0135 @#$% everything up when they do this c**p.  Just complain to your city council that you would like to see a lot more traffic law enforcement when they do their rides.  A solid petition could do wonders.

Answer 2

Critical Mass does the same thing in Seattle.  Seattle Police and the City allow them to do it - in fact they tell their officers to be non-confrontational and allow it.

Drivers and the bike riders frequently clash.  We just had one a couple weeks ago where a driver got out of his car to confront some of these guys and got assaulted.  They also damaged his vehicle.

If you are in a position to have any influence with your city officials, tell them to call Seattle to find out how not to deal with it.

Edited to show link for Seattle story

Answer 3

Just do what they do in NY. Punch one of them in the face as they ride by.

Answer 4

Same idiot group did that in Austin every month... it would shut down traffic.  

Have you considered kicking the c**p out of a few of them?  The rest might get the message.  

Answer 5

Cry more.

Anyway, you can't get us shut down.  It's perfectly legal to ride in the streets.  There are always plenty of cops to keep us in line, so you are simply lying about breaking the law.

You're going to fight us?  Good luck with that.  That would be assault and disturbing the peace and you will go to jail.

We've caused no accidents, that's another lie.

My question is, "How can we get the fat lazies out of their cars and off our roads?"

Answer 6

That is why it is called critical mass. A large enough group and there is little law enforcement can do. Mass arrests that would be needed need mass manpower and get bad press, just look at NYC's attempts to get riders to comply with some safety laws, like letting pedestrians cross on a green.

JOHN I ride every day around 20-30 miles. I've been to 2 critical mass events, one in Chicago and one in Austin. In both cases the mob mentality of "we are special" takes over. No one else counts to a large minority of the riders. Not only are laws broken but some intentionally commit dangerous acts. In Chicago I saw a bunch try to outrace and get in the way of an ambulance going to an emergency call. In Austin groups taunted cops on bikes and spoked a couple of them. They of course fell over fast. a lot just laughed and no one of the other bikers tried to stop or catch them.