This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
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.
LAPD to Ride with Critical Mass Tonight, Cyclists Plan 'Bloody' Protest at Beverly Hills Courthouse
It's the last Friday of the month and that means hundreds of cyclists under the guise of Critical Mass will take to the streets tonight. The LAPD will join in, albeit with a smaller presence than the one made in June.
Today's ride, however, will make a special stop at the Beverly Hills Courthouse to announce a new campaign. Following a sentence handed down to a hit and run driver that left a cyclist in the hospital for 49 days, Bikeside LA will announce "Life before License."
“This sentence is symbolic of the lack of respect cyclists get throughout the justice system,” said Bikeside LA President Alex Thompson. He says Celine Mahdavi pleaded “no contest” to felony hit and run charges and threw herself on the mercy of the court, instead of accepting the plea deal offered by the D.A. Judge Elden S. Fox gave her 90 days of community service, and 3 years of probation.
On December 1st, Mahdavi hit cyclist Louis Deliz in West Hollywood at La Cienega and Holloway. Mahdavi, 18 at the time, was pulled over by law enforcement and allegedly had been drinking.
Thompson's group believes Mahdavi's sentence was extremely light and wants to see state legislation that will address how hit and runs are treated in court.
On Tuesday evening, a group of cyclists protested outside the Beverly Hills Courthouse and plan another one tonight at 8:15 p.m. This one, with hundreds of cyclists from Critical Mass in tow, is expected to be much larger.
Critical Mass, a large monthly bicycle ride, meets the last Friday of every month at 7:30 p.m., starting above ground at the Metro Wilshire and Western stop.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
