FW: Media Release - Critical Mass
Gerbasi, Jenny
For your information, both the police and Critical Mass have issued press releases today. Here they are for your information.
Cheers!
Jenny Gerbasi
THE WINNIPEG POLICE SERVICE
Media Release
Thursday, June 29th, 2006, 2:00pm
The Winnipeg Police Service recognizes Critical Mass’s objective to promote cycling as an alternative to driving in order to protect the environment and acknowledges that most cyclists participating in the monthly Critical Mass bicycle rides do so with respect for the law and the rights and freedoms of all other citizens.
Unfortunately, a small component of Critical Mass appears to disregard laws including The Highway Traffic Act. Such individuals endanger not only themselves, but also their fellow cyclists and others who are attempting to share the same roadways using other legitimate modes of transportation.
Subsequent to recent events that resulted in arrests of Critical Mass cyclists, members of the Winnipeg Police Service reached out to the group and have made contact on several occasions with Critical Mass representatives with the intent of opening the lines of communication and establishing a positive working relationship.
After numerous requests were made by police to meet with Critical Mass representatives, a meeting was arranged at which time Councillors Jenny Gerbasi and Donald Benham took the lead role. In those discussions and subsequent meetings, police outlined their roles, responsibilities and obligations under law and in respect to preserving the safety of cyclist groups and the general public. They also reviewed the rules that govern those operating bicycles on public roadways and the responsibilities of the ride participants.
The Winnipeg Police Service acknowledges the assistance of Councillors Gerbasi and Benham in their attempts to open dialogue between police and Critical Mass. The Councillors have indicated that they would convey the Police positions relative to the ride scheduled for June 30th.
The Winnipeg Police Service looks forward to future communications with representatives from Critical Mass in order to build a positive working relationship with the group.
The Winnipeg Police Service Bicycle Patrol Unit will ensure the cyclists safety by escorting participants during the Critical Mass June 30th, monthly ride.
The Winnipeg Police Service is confident that our common goal of a peaceful and orderly ride will be met. However, should circumstances dictate, additional police units may be called upon to preserve public safety and order, and the safe, free flow of traffic.
The Winnipeg Police Service expresses its thanks to cyclists for observing traffic laws, and reminds all roadway users to be particularly cautious of the numerous bicycles operating on our City’s streets during the summer months.
Any media enquiries should be directed to Deputy-Chief Zacharias at 986-6037.
Constable Jacqueline Chaput
Public Information Officer
Winnipeg Police Service
Phone: 986-3061
Fax: 986-7992
This press release was written (hastily) by myself, T Hammer, K Guard, and Melathion.
It was sent out to:
mary
agnes welch (freep): maryagnes.welch at freepress.mb.ca
bartley kives (freep) bartle...@freepress.mb.ca
bruce owen (freep) bruc...@freepress.mb.ca
joe olafson (ctv) jola...@ctv.ca
Those are all the contacts I could find. If anyone (Molly? Bronwyn? Bueller?) has additional contacts, or, even better, fax numbers, please email or fax these PRs.
Contact Ken by phone (# below) for any pressing questions
FROM CRITICAL MASS
For Immediate Release
Cyclists will gather at Central Park on Friday June 30 at 4:30pm to celebrate what is anticipated to be the largest Critical Mass ride in Winnipeg’s history.
Critical Mass is a monthly group bike ride that celebrates human-powered transport aimed at creating a leaner, greener culture. Critical Mass began in San Francisco in 1992, and has since grown to include over 300 cities worldwide.
A diverse group of cyclists, including city councillors, pastors, grandparents, students, and life-long bicycle commuters are expected to come together to celebrate their independence from the soaring cost of gasoline and the harmful effects of car culture.
“The euphoria that comes from riding together with a big group of happy cyclists is something that everyone should experience. Car-filled streets can be so hostile, but bikes make them beautiful” says year-round commuter and Cliff Lee.
While wary of the recent history of police brutality that has marred past Critical Mass rides in Winnipeg, cyclists are optimistic that the upcoming ride will be fun and safe for all.
In an open email to cyclists, police officer Frank May wrote that the Winnipeg Police Service would make “an effort to negotiate the groundwork for a peaceful ride on June 30th 2006 and rides there after (sic).”
University of Manitoba graduate student Tim Schwinghamer responded, “The police have been the primary source of violence at past rides. The key to a peaceful Critical Mass is for the police to refrain from abusing their power.”
-30-
Contacts:
Ken Gerrard 955-1655 kge...@chromatin.ca
Tim Schwinghamer 291 5561
Cliff Lee 774 6381 or 946 5241 epip...@mail.com
Frank May 986-7386 fm...@winnipeg.ca