Berkeley Critical Mass Out of Line : Indybay

Video released by Jason Meggs of Berkeley Critical Mass undermines the efforts of cyclists. Video shows a clearly befuddled senior couple surrounded by Critical Mass bikers harassing them.

On Saturday Berkeley Critical Mass took to the streets of Berkeley, CA. As usual, there were no significant incidents as they passed through downtown Berkeley. When they reached the intersection of the Alameda and Monterrey, the driver of a mini van came in contact with the bicycle of Critical Mass rider. There is disagreement among witnesses as to who was at fault. Critical Mass folks clearly seeing it as the automobile driver's fault. Witnesses interviewed by Berkeley police felt the driver was attacked by the bicyclists.

Jason Meggs, California coordinator for Critical Mass, released a video of the altercation. The edited video is available on their website (http://www.bclu.org). The video does not reveal the cause of the accident, it begins with pictures of dozens of bicyclists riding through Berkeley, skips ahead, to a scene showing a crowd of bicyclists haranguing an elderly couple in a mini van. There is a bicycle under the front of the van. Clearly the contact was at a very low speed. The driver appears confused and is clearly not angry. The bicyclists build the tempo of accusation, the driver is clearly afraid and has no idea what needs to be done to relieve the situation. He is confused; the Critical Mass folks accuse the couple in the van of being drunk. The older woman passenger opens her door, explains she has cerebral palsy. She clearly wants to exit the mini van, but is too afraid. Eventually, one of the cyclists climbs on the van and breaks the windshield.

The police ticketed no one.

Mr. Meggs immediately took the offensive in a style reminiscient of the political propaganda wars of the seventies. He complained loudly about the media bias, then slipped in his edited video propaganda piece. Anyone familiar with the tactics revealed in the video will recognize the 'old school' organizing techniques. 1) cause a nuisance, 2) hope that someone will be drawn into the trap, or 3) become a bit disoriented and make a mistake. 3) Shout and gesture to amplify the situation, 4) take pictures
or, better, video being careful 5) to choose the best shots. 6) Proclaim innocence of all provocation, 7) have prepared press releases and edited video. 8) Prepare outrageous headlines for your constituents, 9) Complain loudly and file suit.

Sound familiar? Folks on the correct side of the argument (more bikes, fewer cars) need to let the power of their ideas and example work for them, not jump into the mud with Mr Rove, and the Swiftboaters, ad nauseum. A picture of healthy, fit cyclist shouting at a pair of confused seniors undermines anything Critical Mass Berkeley has done to further the cause of leaning cars behind. In fact, it makes clear the elitist nature of the bicycle group. There is only room on the road for folks fit enough to pedal.

Add Your Comments

Get real

by sup

Sunday May 13th, 2007 8:54 AM

It's never acceptable to deliberately run into someone, even at speeds below 5mph. What is seen on that tape is pretty egregious. He didn't accidentally hit someone through confusion. He hit the first person, then kept driving as their foot was entangled and they started to go under the vehicle.
There are many witness reports which you aren't mentioning about the behavior and demeanor of the driver just before the video started. He had been quite angry, and started accelerating into the intersection against the light. Someone's age doesn't make it okay to act like this.

It is fear of behavior like this which makes it nearly impossible to allow kids under age 12 to ride bicycles in this area because there isn't enough off-road space.