Critical Mass Bicyclist Assaulted

A video taken on July 25, 2008,in New York's Times Square shows cyclist Christopher Long being knocked off of his bicycle by NYPD officer Patrick Pogan in what seems to be an unprovoked attack. Long was participating in a monthly bicycle awareness event known as Critical Mass designed to celebrate cycling and "assert cyclists' right to the road."¹

Fast Facts

1. Incident occurred in Times Square, near the corner of Seventh Ave. and 46th St.
2. Judge in 2006 ruled that Critical Mass events do not require a permit
3. Officer Pogan claimed he had been set upon and knocked over by Long's bicycle
4. Critical Mass events have also been held in Chicago, London, Rome, Budapest and San Francisco

Aftermath

The 22-year-old Pogan has had his badge and gun taken away and will remain on "desk duty" pending a full investigation² Long was charged with attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and was held in jail for 26 hours after the incident.³ The video, that has become popular on the video sharing site YouTube, does not seem to fit the details to Pogan's account of the incident.

Previous Critical Mass Incidents

1. August 2004, New York City: Police arrest 264 Critical Mass riders during the Republican National Convention⁴
2. June 2006, Seattle: Undercover police officers get into altercation with two cyclists⁵
3. March 2007, San Francisco: Rider arrested on felony charges for using a bike lock to damage a nearby limousine⁶
4. July 2008, Seattle: Frustrated motorist drives into a cluster of cyclists⁷

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