'Critical Mass' Bicyclist Assaulted By Police Officer (VIDEO)

Critical Mass, the bicycle-awareness bike ride that occurs monthly in many cities, often has run-ins with authorities, who aren't so keen on public thoroughfares being taken over by non-polluting vehicles, free spirits or, evidently, the guy in the video below.

The last time we saw a hit like that, it was on ice, with pads, and a Detroit Red Wing was being introduced to the front row of the Pepsi Center in Denver via a vicious hip-check. WATCH:

Comments

[NeoStar9]

That cop could have killed him. He had no way of knowing at all how or where his head would have landed. He could have easily bounced his head off the crub, the metal pole there, etc... I hope the biker is able to get a copy of this and press charges. Attempted murder with video footage.

[JusticePro]

Hi,

I do not live in NY, I am in Florida and have trained law enforcement officer, the action by this office is off the charts, how he could ever meet the standards for employment is very questionable, what is interesting is that a number of our Sheriff’s Offices have hired retired NYPD Officers to be Court Bailiffs, I had questioned the “Attitude” many of these people have, I guess I now understand. The post about the Break in by officers is very troubling to me.

[WoudKano]

NYPD baby...In memory!!

[Drjimmy72296]

The NYPD is the absolute worst of the worst. Utter scum.

[sedum]

What up? It looked like typical everyday NYPD thuggery. If you don't like it move to a "liberal" city. Oh wait a minute, NY is a liber.....­..........­.....oh never mind.

[Harinama]

that cop should get the s_hit beat out of him RIGHT THERE BY THE CROWD. That was totally uncalled for for a peaceful, albiet somewhat disruptive, protest.

no cop better EVER do that to me, or it will be bad VERY BAD for him, and his family that will miss him.

[TimmySlagle]

"the bicycle-awareness bike ride "

Yeah, right.

More like: The civil disobedience bicycle protest, intended to slow traffic, and create havoc.

I've been on one of these rides. They don't hide their disdain for automobiles or the law.

These cops looked like they were looking for this guy. He obviously did something. I'm not saying the cop is right, but if you're a skinny vegan guy, it really isn't smart to test the tempers of New York's finest. They have the guns, the badges, and the authority, best to steer clear.

[MisterMister]

New Yorks finest??? give me a break.

[TimmySlagle]

irony

[dutt]

Yes, best to stay clear. That officer has a gun and a badge but is still no better than a common thug. Fortunately it was caught on film. He should be incarcerated. It would give him some time to reflect on his actions and keep decent society safe from his criminal behavior.

[vipersdad]

There has been no statement by the NYPD as to what this guy did other than participating in the ride. While I question the effectiveness of the Critical Mass events, they do serve to shine a spotlight on a particular issue - which is that cyclists have rights to use the public streets. Everyone has been quick to assume that the cyclist who was attack somehow brought it on himself.

You have to ask yourself - what could he have possibly done to warrant the use of that kind of dangerous and reckless tactic? He was not per-se going all that fast and the officer could probably have stepped in front of him had he been more nimble.

He was pushed to the ground violently and right next to a curb. Had he struck his head in the wrong way, he could be dead right now.

Police are neither always right nor wrong. I suspect we will be hearing much more about this incident in the coming weeks/months. As with any protest, that will shine more light on this cause the organizers ever hoped for. That officer has effectively done the protesters a favor.

Cops are human but their job is to manage their temper and not do things that could potentially kill people - whether they "did something" or not.

[sisterdebmac]

It seemed like that rogue thug just picked that one guy at random. He kind of wandered over like he was waiting for someone to be going just the right speed to put the smackdown on him. With every new incident of brutality, corruption, sexual assault or death by tazer, the people of this country grow more and more to hate the cops. If the higher-ups in the police food chain were paying attention they'd realize that having creeps like this guy on the force only weakens their authority and drives down their respect in the community to very dangerous levels.

[TimmySlagle]

"what could he have possibly done to warrant the use of that kind of dangerous and reckless tactic?

Throwing a bottle at a cop?

It wouldn't surprise me. Those bicycle anarchists get pretty riled up, and I've seen them do some fairly aggressive things. Remember the video is on just one segment of the ride, these rides usually last a couple hours, so the shove could have been payback for something that happened an hour earlier on the other side of town.

And the Critical Mass rides have nothing to do with sharing the streets. Those riders believe they own the streets, and they want to force cars off. The intention is to make traffic on the last Friday of every month so miserable, that commuters start taking bicycles to work. That's why they start at five PM.

[Meanwhile]

"They have the guns, the badges, and the authority, best to steer clear."

You make me sick. I sincerely hope you find yourself on the receiving end of some of that so-called authority someday. Then you'll see just how arbitrary, unjust, and vicious it can be.

[TimmySlagle]

Those riders are out there to cause trouble.

So saying that it was "unjust" is a stretch, because this guy got what he was looking for.

And as I've been saying, it certainly didn't look "arbitrary­." That cop looked like he knew who he was after.

"Vicious," yeah, probably.

[WasteNJ]

When I'm on my bike I have disdain for drivers too. I tend to get that way when people almost kill me several times. Bikers have the right of way, regardless if you are on your cell or not.

[joebaggadonuts]

I think they purposefully picked out a cyclist without a helmet. They were there letting lots of others go by with helmets. They/he moved on this one guy. Did he know him?

[Topfeeder]

The NYPD, not surprised. Guess a broom stick was no where to be found.

[WasteNJ]

Yesss.

[RTIII]

Well, folks, the police have NEVER been the upstanding, law-abiding people we project them to be. First hand experience says, watch the hell out whenever you see the police. Apparently they body check you for no good reason - and a thousand other crimes against those they are supposed to protect and serve.

Why I even had two cops BREAK IN to my house once, while I was in the shower. I had no idea the police would break into my place, so, thinking it was a home invasion robbery, I got the drop on them with my 9mm. There I was, stark naked, dripping water all over, expertly aiming a 9mm right in their sorry faces - from a safe distance - as I demanded to know who the he\ they were and what the he\ they were doing in my house. They then lied their butts off as to what they were doing there. With any luck THOSE TWO won't be so quick to break into to citizens houses. (Yes, VERY pro second amendment!)

My real point is... Body-checks, breaking and entering - they'll do anything, and when the people we are supposed to trust to protect and serve us behave like this, nobody's safe; you _can't_ trust them.
.

[SonnyBono]

You, my friend, are very lucky to be alive - cops in situations like that usually bury their mistakes.

In addition to Second Amendment, you should be looking into that whole unlawful search and seizure thing - I think it used to be in the Constitution until Bush and Cheney took it out.

What happened to those two police officers - still out there serving and protecting?

[WasteNJ]

You're lucky to be alive buddy.

Rent Bad Leitenant, Harvey Keitel does a great job as realistic NYPD detective.

[DocWylie]

Has anybody seen this one on the alphabet networks (ABC, NBC & See B.s) or is just another example of how the internet makes the networks irrelevent?

[TimmySlagle]

I saw it on Fox.

The cop has been suspended pending an investigation.

[Kenji]

Ironic, then, that Fox gave us the only followup to this crime.

[truthoutdotduh]

Suspended with pay? If that is the case, it's like rewarding bad behavior with a paid vacation.

[mostlyharmless]

i worry about the mental state of a person who would so recklessly attack a peaceful person of conscience . . . for the safety of the people of new york, he should be treated immediately or removed from the force

[gevan]

Another million dollar law suit for the City of New York to fork up.

[Synergy6]

Doesn't say much for the NYPD. On the other hand, I found the LAPD quite friendly.

[mrvertigo]

what happened w/the cyclist? hurt? hospitalized? etc.
and have charges been brought up against the officer(s)?
something needs to be done about this.
it is clearly a violation by the police.
how embarrassing for tourists and others to see how violently these officers were when people are merely riding a bicycle. how shameful.