Blogtown, PDX

Friday, January 19, 2007

Portland Critical Mass to hit NoPo?

Posted by Amy J. Ruiz on Fri, Jan 19 at 9:02 PM

As we reported this week—and as is being discussed at length on BikePortland.org—two cyclists were attacked by three teenaged girls at a bus stop on N Williams near Legacy Hospital last Wednesday, January 10.

As we reported:

The incident also touched off some simmering racial tensions. The attackers were African American, while the bikers—both female—were white.
One of the assailants allegedly kicked Heather Moles’ back wheel, sending her to the ground. When fellow cyclist Ashley Gorman stepped in, both were pummeled by the three female teens, according to Gorman.

The incident was witnessed by a bus stop full of people, as well as by people on an approaching bus. But by the time the cops arrived, the assailants had fled, and the bus had left with all of the witnesses.

Now someone’s floating the idea—via the Shift to Bikes email list—of steering the monthly Critical Mass ride up to the scene of the attack. Critical Mass is next Friday.

I have an idea, I also sent via the CM list… Don’t know if it went through so I’m sending it on this list.
I think it may be a good idea, any suggestions….

The last Critical Mass, and the “Peoples Ride,” was small. It was my first time ever attending such a ride. I enjoyed it, but after all these posts about cyclists attacks, and comments the people are making, i have an idea.

Because of the police escorts and such on the critical mass rides, and since they follow critical mass when there is enough riders. Why doesn’t Critical Mass, and the “Peoples Ride” that meets at Lent’s Park all ride down to North Portland Where the attacks have been happening, and inform the police on the ride with us, what is happening. Make the bicycle presents known, and tell the neighborhoods that we aren’t going away…

I have a picture in my head of 100s or thousands of cyclists going down into north portland and making our statements heard to the police and everyone else that has a problem with us…

Lets do this… any ideas…

We’ll keep you posted.

Permalink

Comments

Just keep in mind that this is just one person's idea... and it does not in any way represent what the entire "bike community" is thinking about doing.

Posted by Jonathan Maus | January 19, 2007 11:34 PM

flash mobs v. critical mass?
What?

Posted by billyjack | January 20, 2007 12:14 AM

Yep, right now it's someone's idea. If it catches on, we'll let give an update.

Posted by Amy Jenniges | January 20, 2007 10:55 AM

why does it have to be about race?? thats how racism starts. did anyone think maybe the bicyclists were jerks? no . lets just jump to conclusions

Posted by jen | January 20, 2007 11:51 AM

"Make the bicycle presents known..."

They are giving away bicycles?

Posted by b!X | January 20, 2007 1:22 PM

Jen, I don't care if the bicyclists were the biggest assholes on earth it doesn't give someone else the right to kick them off their bikes and attack them. Did you ever stop to think that the african americans that attacked her were racist? African americans can be racist too.

Posted by Andy | January 20, 2007 7:44 PM

Well I think the mention of race has to do with some other incidents of African American girls attacking white girls as of late (the MLK Max stop comes to mind). I don't think it's a real problem yet, and could just be the same three girls on a white girl ass kicking week. Anyways, it seems odd that at least two simaliar incidents occured within a week.

Posted by TJ | January 20, 2007 9:27 PM

this response in my opinion is so typical of the arrogant/fascist cyclist culture that exists in Portland (I'm an avid London cyclist, by the way). What do you expect to achieve by riding in a group up to North Portland "making our statements heard?" While an unprovoked attack such as this is certainly reprehensible, it hardly warrants a blitzkrieg like response from critical mass...

Posted by Pete | January 21, 2007 2:12 PM

"why does it have to be about race??"

I think it has something to do with the racial slur reported to have been heard by one witness as the black teenagers were attacking the white cyclists:
http://bikeportland.org/2007/01/14/cyclists-attacked-near-legacy-hospital/

I don't make the news, just report it.

Posted by organic brian | January 21, 2007 3:50 PM

I should add: there is some great discussion about proactive neighborhood safety over here:
http://bikeportland.org/2007/01/20/north-portland-lets-meet-and-move-forward/

Posted by organic brian | January 21, 2007 3:53 PM

Wondering if this happens more frequently black-on-black, but when a white person gets attacked, it makes the news...

I saw a group of three black girls mug another black girl on the 8 last summer. I called the police - by the time I knew what was happening, the goons were off the bus.

Needless to say, this never made the news.

Posted by Aaron V. | January 21, 2007 4:23 PM

I'm not sure if critical mass is the best way to promote cyclist awareness in a positive light in north portland. But, maybe that's not the goal...

Posted by k | January 22, 2007 1:02 PM

I'm with commentator who said critical mass may not be the best way to promote cyclist awareness in a positive light in North Portland. In fact, I don't think Critical Mass is the best way (or even a good way) to promote cyclist rights or cyclist safety at all. There are responsible cyclists involved in CM, but there are too many involved who are into protest for the sake of protest. Check out my blog -- a group of Critical Mass riders were out to instigate a fight after the official ride tonight... http://pdxwoman.blogspot.com/2007/01/critical-mass-activists-or-terrorists.html

Posted by pdxWoman | January 26, 2007 9:57 PM

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