Comments on: Traffic laws apply to everyone

By: Cyclists and Prairie Village Police, one year later | KCBike.Info

Cyclists and Prairie Village Police, one year later | KCBike.Info — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:05:22 +0000

[...] time last year the big story in the bike community was the Prairie Village Police Department cracking down on cyclists who break traffic laws in big group rides – not stopping for signs/lights, riding 3-3 abreast, etc. Maggi Hacker [...]

By: Cyclists reach agreement with Prairie Village police | KCBike.Info

Cyclists reach agreement with Prairie Village police | KCBike.Info — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:56:23 +0000

[...] announced the details of an understanding with the Prairie Village Police Department that addresses issues with group rides and the law in that suburb. The agreement is meant to accommodate large group rides while still enforcing [...]

By: Prairie Village Tickets Cyclists Who Run Stop Signs | Kansas Cycling News

Prairie Village Tickets Cyclists Who Run Stop Signs | Kansas Cycling News — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:16:33 +0000

[...] commentary: commuterDude, Kansas City Star, KCBike.info, KC Bike Commuting, Local Cycling, Missouri Bicycle Federation. AKPC_IDS += [...]

By: The DLC

The DLC — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:56:12 +0000

I thought the whole point of Critical Mass (originally at least) was law-abiding. In other words, by forcing drivers to accommodate large groups of cyclists, they raise awareness of their plight on the roads where the circumstances are almost always reversed. So theoretically, the reason CM-ers don’t get ticketed is because they aren’t breaking any laws, they are just taking over the streets, albeit in a very annoying way for drivers. Sounds like things may have changed though.

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:54:33 +0000

So you’re comparing a couple old dudes on a cruise that got tickets to the Tour De Moose asses? From what I’ve heard these people had been warned numerous times by both the police and other cyclist of their reckless riding. Not the same thing. Too bad for the old dudes to be punished due to these aholes lack of concern.

By: David

David — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 05:30:43 +0000

This establishes an interesting precedent for application of the law. Apparently, the following week, the same cops were watching the same intersection, but instead of the normal rendezvous with Blue Moose, they caught a couple old guys out for an easy ride that just happened to slowly roll through a sign. Poor old guys, I felt quite bad for them. The point here is that an enormous number of everyday, neighborhood cyclists go for a stroll and almost certainly slowly roll through stop signs if the traffic conditions warrent. Do these folks get ticketed? In principle, cops should apply the law uniformly, not just for groups of cyclists.

By: Frank

Frank — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:12:40 +0000

I don’t think the point of Critical Mass ride is to piss of drivers. It is a celebration of bikes on the road, much like a parade. Most drivers, pedestrians, etc smile and wave and love seeing all the cyclists having a good time. There are always going to be a few hostile drivers around. There are pissed off drivers when streets are blocked for walkathons, marathons, the Tour of Missouri, etc. So, beyond parade type celebrations, running red lights and random reckless cycling is generally not a good idea.

By: keanon

keanon — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 22:05:03 +0000

Idaho stop.

My self-preservation and avoidance of large groups of cars will always trump stopping at every light for the satisfaction of drivers.

Critical Mass is a mess these days. Hip kids without helmets taunting cars. No thanks. Makes me look worse than I make myself look. That’s impressive.

By: 42

42 — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:26:51 +0000

catch me if you can

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 21:20:21 +0000

Are we talking about the same Critical Mass, guys? I have been on numerous CM rides, and at EVERY ride, they run red lights, block the intersection, and many of the riders ride without any caution or respect to other cyclists and motorists. And I can think of several instances when motorists have become very angry and hostile over these actions. These are instances that I have seen with my own eyes. John called out the Blue Moose crew for running a train without stopping, when Critical Mass does this every time, in much larger numbers.

And I’m with 66. Get off the sidewalks, fatties. You too, plaza patrol.