Critical Mass Ride – A Success
June 30, 2010 at 4:44 pm | Posted in Bike News | 4 CommentsTags: Critical Mass Ride, lapd
Friday, June 25th marked a first in LA group ride history, where LAPD joined LA cyclists on a Critical Mass ride.
Cyclists and LAPD met at Wilshire/Western Metro stop, where critical mass has been gathering for years. At first there seemed to be a lot of misgivings and unanswered questions of how LAPD and cyclists would interact on this ride.
It turned out to be a very peaceful and positive experience. Amongst the many hundreds of cyclists, people were expressing appreciation and thanking LAPD for “corking” or “road guarding.” There was even a sense of astonishment that the ride was going so well. LAPD and LA cyclists’ rode along side one another respectfully and having fun, yet not forgetting some of the recent tensions from last month’s Critical Mass event and other past incidents.
The ride started at Wilshire/Western and meandered westward through the streets of LA. It stopped at Pan Pacific Park before heading east, then down Hollywood Blvd. to end at end at the Farm Fresh Ranch Market parking lot on Hollywood and Western. As riders, we felt recognized not only by LAPD but by pedestrians and even some motorists.
We would like to thank LAPD for taking initiative and making such a visual effort to ameliorate the relationship with cyclists. This means a lot to cyclists, and marks the beginning of what we hope to be a new and respectful relationship between cyclists and LAPD.
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This is going to be a constant struggle for LACM to keep a harmonious relationship with the LAPD. I encourage the continual need for everyone of our cycling community to cooperatively demonstrate riding safely and by the rules, to invite friends with positive attitudes out to represent, and to transform LACM into a safer and more effective event.
This is an important time for the future of cycling in Los Angeles.
Help make the changes you wish to see for the betterment of bicycle needs in LA.
Comment by Borfo— June 30, 2010 #
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