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On Thursday 25 April 2002 16:13, Keith Nybakke wrote:
> >490.160. Bicycle events. No person shall conduct a bicycle event,
> > parade, contest or race without having first secured a permit from the
> > office of the mayor. Approval for such permit shall be granted only
> > under conditions which assure reasonable safety for all participants,
> > spectators and other highway users, and which prevent unreasonable
> > interference with traffic flow which would seriously inconvenience
> > other highway users. (91-Or-065, � 8, 4-12-91)
>
> Just what is a bicycle "event"? > Who decides?
> Seems very non-specific and wide open for misinterpretation.
I'd say that an event is something that happens that people planned to have
happen. Especially when they plan to do it together, as a group.
> A bunch of people bicycling together doesn't seem like an event, no
> more than a bunch of people driving together (rush hour) seems like
> an event.
Critical Mass is a planned ride where the whole explicitly stated purpose
is to gather bikers and proceed to bike around as a group. Rush hour is
when everyone happens to use the roads at the same time, but I have the
sense that most drivers would be quite glad to not do this as a group.
Certainly, CM happens through intentional behavior. Rush hour happens as a
result of uncoordinated crowding-- in fact in spite of intentional efforts
to prevent it (carpool incentives, transit options, etc).
> What is it about the Critical Mass rides that makes them an "event"
> and thus a special case under this ordinance?
Nothing. As far as I know, no CM'ers have been charged under this
ordinance. In fact, I have to wonder if anyone ever has been charged under
this ordinance-- and if the law is written poorly, such a charge is a
necessary first step to a legal challenge to a law that may be
unconstitutionally vague.
I certainly wasn't quoting this ordinance to say it *should* be applied to
CM, just that it certainly seemed to me like it could be.
I'm still WAY more concerned that I can be charged with a crime for dancing
in the street in front of my house. But I'm guessing if I'm quiet most
cops won't even know I'm committing an offense. <grin>
- -Michael Libby (Cleveland/North Mpls)
______Michael_C_Libby__{_x_(at)_ichimunki_(dot)_com_}______
| my website: http://www.ichimunki.com/ |
|____ public key at http://www.ichimunki.com/public.key ____|
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