UNCRITICAL ASSES:

[gocolts 300]

link

 

SAN FRANCISCO -- The sea of bicyclists surges up this city's Financial District, a boisterous mass of freewheeling humanity, 1,500 riders strong. Pedaling six abreast, they send pedestrians scurrying as rush-hour traffic hits the brakes.

 

A cable car slows, engulfed by riders who whoop and holler or chat on cellphones. A traffic light goes red, green and red again. Still the bikes keep coming.

 

As a bystander high-fives passing cyclists, one car in a line of idling motorists lets loose with a long, blaring, impatient horn blast. A tourist snaps a photograph and asks: "Are you protesting global warming?"

 

"No," one rider shouts back, "we're taking over the streets!"

 

Bicyclists and drivers get into fights, cyclists slam their locks onto car hoods and police make arrests amid pointed turf battles. A decade ago, former Mayor Willie Brown declared war on the marauding cyclists, whose exploits he dismissed as "the ultimate arrogance."

 

They run people out of crosswalks, yelling, 'Get out of our way! We're not burning fossil fuels!' "

 

a driver noses his vehicle into an intersection, causing bicycles to veer to avoid him. Immediately, massers known as "corkers" position their bicycles in front of the car.

 

Only after the pack is gone do the bikers call out, with a tinge of sarcasm: "Thanks for waiting!"

 

A taxi driver trying to make a left turn against the pack sees a police cruiser shadowing the cyclists: "Officer," he says, "how can I make a left turn here?"

 

The cop shrugs.

 

Detractors point to the March 30 ride as just one example of Critical Mass spinning out of control.

 

Riders clashed with motorists in two incidents. Limo driver Dennis Webb says the melee started after a female cyclist blocked his path.

 

When Webb got out of his car to confront the cyclists, one dented the limo's hood with a U-shaped bicycle lock. Another slashed his tire. Someone else grabbed his car keys and rode off. The hood-denter was charged in the incident.

 

Another altercation came later in the ride, as cyclists made their way through Japantown.

 

Susan Ferrando, who was driving with her two kids in the car, said a throng of riders attacked her. Others said a frustrated Ferrando plowed into the cyclists, struck one and tried to drive on. Riders surrounded her until police arrived.

 

No charges were filed. But Ferrando said she remains in shock. "It's been traumatic," she said, her voice breaking. "I've got a child standing here saying, 'No, Mommy. I don't want to talk about it.' This isn't over for us."

Bicycle rider

 

I see it everywhere I go. These insane people think they are invincible or something. I don't care if you want to ride a bicycle, but to ride on a busy, curvy road is just asking to get hit. And what about the morons that ride one on a HIGHWAY??? Have they completely lost it??? As good and as fast as you think you are going, you are a traffic hazard that can cause a bad accident with people trying to avoid you and pass you. And most of all, YOU can get killed. Go ride on a street where your life, along with others, are not put in jeopardy because you want ot ride a bicycle.

[Cdub100 3,903]

I focking hate them. These morons are in shock when they do get hit by a car. It's like they can't figure out how a car could hit them while ridding in the street. Half of them don't stop at stop lights or signs and could give two sh1ts about the rules of the road and even the ones that do are still a hazzard.

[Mephisto 15]

Yes, too many cyclists seem to "forget" that they have to follow the rules of the road, blowing through lights, stop-signs, and ignoring other road rules while expecting everyone to be kind and considerate of their existence.

 

I don't mind them at all, but when they put themselves and everyone else in danger... it's scary.

[RicemanX 20]

While riding on my bike, I got hit by a truck.

I was alright.

[gocolts 300]

Bump for heavy set