In a carefully worded statement, the Cascade Bicycle Club has weighed in on the Friday night dust up between a motorist and some cyclists at the Critical Mass ride in Seattle.
Seattle's two daily newspapers also followed up on their reporting on the incident, with the P-I's article citing some of the shortcomings of bicycle facilities in the city and the Seattle Times interviewing the motorist.
Cascade is one of the largest bicycle clubs in the US with a membership of some 9,500 cyclists and a calendar full of bike rides and events, as well as bike education and advocacy projects. The statement recognizes that the monthly Critical Mass rides can be a “powerful reminder of the disparity” of public accommodations for bicycles and motor vehicles. However:
“Unfortunately, based on the actions of a few, Seattle Critical Mass is undermining any potential to create positive community exchange and to draw focus to improving conditions for bicycling in our city. …
“In response to this incident, the Cascade Bicycle Club has called for a meeting between bicycle community members, law enforcement and city officials. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the potential that Critical Mass has to be a more positive expression of bicycle culture and transportation. Though we cannot condone unlawful riding, we are interested in finding the good in this, an organic bicycle community event, while limiting behavior that endangers the progress being made by the city and the region.”
[The full text is below and at Cascade (.pdf) document.]
The statement goes on to explain that both parties are at fault in the melee and should probably be prosecuted. The response to similar problems in the future should be to simply contact the police.
In “Bicycle Advocate or Hooligans“ on Tuesday's front page of the Seattle Times, Cascade's Chris Cameron is quoted as saying, “Critical Mass isn't doing Seattle any good — it's a rolling party.”
Cameron is director of the bicycle commute program.
The Times identifies the driver of the car as Mark, a 23-year-old travel agent from the Eastside who asked that his last name not be used. He said:
“I completely panicked and I was scared. I just felt completely cornered and threatened.”
Tom Braun, the Seattle attorney whose legs were run over by Mark, said:
“He was screaming the whole time and yelled something about being late for a [dinner] reservation — and he floors it, he literally floors it into a bunch of people and I took the brunt of it.”
Meanwhile, the Seattle P-I ran with “Bicyclists say city ignores safety concerns.” The article quotes a bicyclist severely injured when he hit a low wall on the Ballard Bridge and fell into traffic. The injury led to the amputation of his arm.
The article reports that 140 bicyclists are injured on Seattle streets every year. The lack of attention to bicyclists motivates the Critical Mass rides, the P-I writes.
Cascade's advocacy director David Heller was interviewed for the P-I article, saying that plans are underway to make Seattle more bike friendly.
“I'm pleased with where we're headed, but I'm concerned about where we are. Compared to most European cities, our accident rates remain distressingly high.”
[Full text of the Cascade Bicycle Club statement]
Cascade Bicycle Club supports the right of cyclists to assemble peacefully and ride in a lawful manner whenever and wherever they choose. We also recognize that Critical Mass can be a powerful reminder of the disparity between bicycles and motor vehicles with regard to the allocation and management of our public rights of way. Some would go so far as to argue that a “critical mass” of automobiles congests our streets daily.
Unfortunately, based on the actions of a few, Seattle Critical Mass is undermining any potential to create positive community exchange and to draw focus to improving conditions for bicycling in our city.
In general, Cascade Bicycle Club does not comment on ongoing investigations. However, from our knowledge of the incident on Friday, July 25, it appears multiple parties reacted inappropriately. While the bicyclists are being justifiably prosecuted, it is our hope that this incident is not one in which a crime against cyclists goes unrecognized and unpunished. Hitting a cyclist with a car and fleeing the scene of an accident is and should be a punishable offense.
In response to this incident, the Cascade Bicycle Club has called for a meeting between bicycle community members, law enforcement and city officials. The purpose of this meeting will be to discuss the potential that Critical Mass has to be a more positive expression of bicycle culture and transportation. Though we cannot condone unlawful riding, we are interested in finding the good in this, an organic bicycle community event, while limiting behavior that endangers the progress being made by the city and the region.
Looking ahead, Cascade Bicycle Club applauds the city of Seattle’s leadership in working toward making Seattle a bicycle-friendly environment. The Bicycle Master Plan is in its first phase of implementation, with multiple new bicycle lanes, bicycle boulevards, route signs and education programs kicking off throughout the city. We are looking forward to working with City officials as new programs are unveiled and current bicycle programs expand.
We believe that Friday’s incident should not and will not derail the future of bicycling in Seattle and that the majority of motorists and bicyclists can and will continue to use our public rights of way in a safe and lawful manner. Every day thousands of adults and children use their bicycles to get to and from school and work. Cascade Bicycle Club works to educate bicyclists to ride in a safe and law-abiding manner.
We ask for the public to take from this incident that escalation is an inappropriate response and can have disastrous consequences. If you are a motorist or bicyclist that has been the victim of a crime, or is in fear for your safety – get to a secure place first then call your local law enforcement agency.”
Recent Comments