Sunday reading
One of the more interesting arguments made last week by one of the peloton bikers was the potential to turn it into a First Amendment issue by slapping some slogan on their arms or shirts. A so-called "Critical Mass" ride.
When you've put down your Star-News this morning ... the L.A. Times has an article about 15 years of such rides in San Francisco, where invigorated cyclists take over the streets and are met with ire from people who find them arrogant and selfish.
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!"
...
But it still has no leaders, no route plans, no spokespeople.
...
Many criticize the cyclists' holier-than-thou arrogance.
"There's an incredible self-righteousness, like the traffic laws obviously aren't made for them," said blogger Rob Anderson, who has written about the massers. "We're all trapped in our tin cans, while they ride unfettered. They run people out of crosswalks, yelling, 'Get out of our way! We're not burning fossil fuels!' "