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# Bauer’s critical of Critical Mass
- URL: https://www.smdp.com/bauers-critical-of-critical-mass/
- Published: 2007-09-24T15:00:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-25T01:02:53.000Z
- Author: Guest Author
- Tags: Opinion, Santa Monica, #archive-import

SANTA MONICA CRITICAL MASS IS AN informal group of 200 to 300 bicyclists that take to Santa Monica streets during rush hour on Friday nights once a month. The organization’s facilitators, including Alex Thompson, have been critical of the Santa Monica Police Department for being overzealous in it’s enforcement of the rules of the road (SMDP, Guest Commentary, Sept 18, Page 5).

SMPD officers have cited Critical Mass riders for obstructing traffic and disobeying traffic laws. Critical Mass riders have even countered by posting clandestinely recorded videos of their confrontations with Santa Monica PD officers on YouTube, LiveLeak and other Internet websites that feature unusual or outrageous “home-recorded” videos. Typically, these videos consist of an officer citing a bicyclist while he/she loudly protests they’ve been unfairly singled out, targeted or are being harassed and that cops have it in for bicycle riders.

I’m assuming our police have better things to do than write citations on innocent bike riders who don’t violate traffic laws. However, I’d bet the family Buick that the bicyclist did something wrong which was why he/she was being cited to begin with.

I’m not saying everyone who rides a bike routinely violates traffic laws, rides recklessly or endangers themselves and others. However, about three quarters of the people I see riding two-wheelers in this town are reckless and inconsiderate. Most common are stop sign and red light runners, cutting off pedestrians or other vehicles in traffic, riding on the sidewalk (legal in Los Angeles but not in Santa Monica) and riding at night without lights and/or while wearing dark clothing.

Last week, I saw a man along with a couple of preadolescent children, all on bikes on Washington Boulevard, blow the stop sign at busy 14th Street without as much as a sideways glance. Teaching kids to disobey traffic laws is totally irresponsible.

Last year, after noting a rash of reckless bicycling, I called City Councilman, Kevin McKeown, who is famous for bicycling to city meetings and events. I asked, “What’s with all the stop sign running by people on bicycles?" He responded that many bicyclists don’t stop because it takes a lot of effort to start up and get back to speed.

> “Walking city” — This isn’t a or a as some like to claim. It’s a community where everyone, regardless of mode of transportation, needs to get around

> “Bicycle city”

I find it amusing that although people ride bikes because it’s great exercise, they disobey traffic rules because they might use up too much energy by stopping and starting. McKeown told me if nobody else is around, bicyclists will often just “go for it." The problem is that we’ve all seen this kind of behavior even when there is other traffic around. It appears to me that this is where being lazy and indifferent will get you seriously scarred, maimed or killed.

Critical Mass is an “in your face” group. Their purpose is to “take back the streets” which is why they ride during rush hour on Friday nights — the heavi-est traffic hours of the week. It’s why they’ve chosen to ride downtown and on major thoroughfares versus the beach bike paths, in quieter residential neighborhoods or at times or days when there’s less traffic.

There’s a confrontational aspect to all of this. Some feel it’s “Us” against “Them.” So when hundreds of Critical Mass riders block intersections to direct traffic, blow stop signs and red lights and ride unsafely, inevitably there are going to be complaints.

Yes, I know some motorists are rude and endanger bicyclists, too. After all, it’s a two-way street. And, we need to keep in mind that we all have equal access to public streets. This isn’t a “bicycle city” or a “walking city” as some like to claim. It’s a community where everyone, regardless of mode of transportation, needs to get around.

If you’re caught bicycling (or even driving) illegally and one of our men or women in black pulls you over, don’t blame them for doing their job which is enforcing rules that most of us want enforced. Quit whining and take your punishment like an adult.

Those persons on two wheels who think they’ve got a cause going or a bone to pick will find out their riding will be much more stress-free and enjoyable if they’re courteous and follow the same rules of the road all of the rest of us do.

*Originally published in the Santa Monica Daily Press print edition on September 24, 2007.* [Read the original PDF.](https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/smdp%5Fbackissues/092407.pdf?ref=smdp.com)