a NY judge rules that critical mass needs a permit.

A federal judge in Manhattan on Tuesday ruled that the City of New York did not violate the constitutional rights of cyclists by requiring them
to file for parade permits when they rode in groups of 50 or more. The
ruling is a blow to organizers of the Critical Mass bike protests in Manhattan."

The full story in the New York Times
http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/02/16/judge-rules-against-cy...

Are the laws in Chicago/Illinois much different? Is this a precedent?

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Jessica on March 5, 2010 at 2:38pm

Can't the New York people just split into groups of 45 people separated by, ooohhh 15 or so feet and claim to be separate parties? =P

Permalink Reply by Dr. Doom on March 5, 2010 at 2:53pm

Yeah, this all has to do with the RNC stuff and even more with bizarre New York post-9/11 culture where anyone in a uniform is an untouchable hero and anyone who gets on their bad side has made a bald eagle shed a single lonely tear. It should also be said that the NYCM ride is much much more douchetastic than the Chicago edition.

Permalink Reply by Michael on March 5, 2010 at 6:13pm

Active Transportation Alliance and Chicago Critical Mass are two separate and distinct entities. Please do not confuse the two. ATA is a not-for-profit advocacy organization. CCM is a fun, free ride that happens on the last Friday of every month.

If Ethan is reading this perhaps he'd like to comment.

Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:

The NY judge's decision provides no legal precedent that must be followed by a Chicago judge. But, you are right to be concerned, as was I when I saw that story a few weeks ago. It wouldn't surprise me if the NY ruling emboldened Chicago authorities to stop a Critical Mass ride for lack of a permit. I'd be interested to know if our friends at Critical Mass and/or the Active Transportation Alliance have heard any rumblings.

Permalink Reply by T.C. O'Rourke on March 6, 2010 at 12:23am

Haw haw. Critical Mass is making us enemies! Make them get a permit!

What is this, 1998?

Bryan D said:

As a relatively new cyclist, but long time resident of Chicago, critical mass has always just pissed me off. I've never been stuck at a red light in my car, but I have been stuck while on a bus trying to get to class. I would have no problem with critical mass if they obeyed traffic laws, lights, stop signs, etc. But they don't. The preach that we should share the road, but they over run it. I've never met anyone who has viewed critical mass as a productive way to get cyclists heard/seen. Just makes us (and by 'us' I mean cyclists) seem like hipster assholes.

Edit: Just read that aricle on BSNYC and it was spot on! I should have read that first.

So I saw good, make them get a permit, as I would assume permit holders would have to follow traffic laws more closely.

Permalink Reply by Brendan Kevenides on March 6, 2010 at 8:58am

Of course. But ATA would probably have its ear to the ground on such matters.

Michael said:

Active Transportation Alliance and Chicago Critical Mass are two separate and distinct entities. Please do not confuse the two. ATA is a not-for-profit advocacy organization. CCM is a fun, free ride that happens on the last Friday of every month.

If Ethan is reading this perhaps he'd like to comment.

Chicago Bicycle Advocate said:
The NY judge's decision provides no legal precedent that must be followed by a Chicago judge. But, you are right to be concerned, as was I when I saw that story a few weeks ago. It wouldn't surprise me if the NY ruling emboldened Chicago authorities to stop a Critical Mass ride for lack of a permit. I'd be interested to know if our friends at Critical Mass and/or the Active Transportation Alliance have heard any rumblings.