Author
IMC-LONDON-AUDIO
~9 mins (<3MB)
A three way discussion about the apparent clamp down being threatened by the MET police in London against the monthly critcal mass bike ride.
During septembers critical mass bike ride which has been taking place in London every month for over 11 years, police handed out leaflets saying that the event is now being considered an illegal procession and that in the future it's participants would risk arrest. This shocked and outraged many who see the ride as part of London's culture and an important and enjoyable social gathering.
On lists and discussion forums online, there has been much talked about making next months ride the biggest yet, although it is unlikely to come close to last months ride in Budapest which attracted almost 30,000 riders!
Regulars of London's ride are concerned that the police are following the lead of the New York Police Department which has been trying hard to crush the will of the cities cyclists since the Republican Nation Convention late last year. Last months ride saw 23 people arrested for 'riding without a permit'.
Whether the threat issued by the Metropolitan Police has any legal validity remains to be seen and can only really be tested in court. Is critical mass a procession and if so, what implication does that have on other social activities?