With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today during our fall member drive.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Two-Wheel Drama In The LBC: Bicycles Impounded, Critical Mass Riders Cited By Long Beach Police
Photo by melissssaf via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
()
Photo by melissssaf via LAist Featured Photos on Flickr
On the last Friday of every month, hundreds of Earth cities mobilize on two-wheels to celebrate the joy of cycling and gather for pedal rights during organized Critical Mass rides.However, last Friday, police shut down the inaugural Critical Mass ride in Long Beach citing the majority of the riders for a variety of infractions (registering your bike with the city??) and impounding dozens of bicycles.
According to the Los Angeles Times, "Riders thought police were there to help move traffic along, but instead cyclists were cited and their bicycles impounded. About 60 citations were handed out to riders without proper night lighting, for running stop signs or riding unlicensed bicycles, among other violations."
"The action is a big black eye for a city that touts itself as the most bike friendly city in the U.S. 'It appears being bike friendly only applies to a limited part of the city,' said June Kaeswith, one of the organizers" in the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Police Chief Jim McDonnell justifies the activity claiming Critical Mass, "engages in dangerous conduct, violating every rule of the road and endangering the public."
Support for LAist comes from
Organizers are taking issue with what they believe is an illegal seizure of property, and ride participants are "organizing to retrieve their bicycles en masse Tuesday from the city warehouse where they were impounded. They also plan to attend the Long Beach City Council meeting Nov. 9 to voice their concerns," reports the Los Angeles Times.
Ronnie Sandlin, a promoter of last Friday's ride (and one of the cited participants), said his group tried unsuccessfully for more than a month to gain a permit for the ride. He also claimed to have attempted to register his bike before the ride only to be told by the city that it had run out of stickers.
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
Restaurants share resources in the food hall in West Adams as Los Angeles reckons with increasing restaurant closures. -
It will be the second national day of protest against President Donald Trump. -
The university says the compact, as the Trump administration called it, could undermine free inquiry and academic excellence. -
This is the one time you can do this legally! -
Metro officials said it will be able to announce an opening date “soon.” -
While working for the county, the DA’s office alleges that 13 employees fraudulently filed for unemployment, claiming to earn less than $600 a week.
Best of LAist