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Over 20 bikes were seized at the Long Beach, California-set Critical Mass ride last week, as reported by the LA Times.
The ride was cut short by the authorities after riders were informed they had no ‘special events permit’ and had broken numerous traffic laws – including failing to use proper night lighting.
However, the LA Times spoke to the ride leaders who insisted they had attempted to get a permit for two months prior to the ride.
60 citations were issued and eleven of the impounded bicycles had no brakes.
Long Beach police chief Jim McDonnell said: “We take bicycle safety seriously in Long Beach and will not stand by idly while any person or group acts with blatant disregard for the safety of the residents of our community.”
Critical Mass, founded in San Francisco in the 1990s, is a regular cycle ride held in cities across the world to draw attention to areas classed as ‘unfriendly to cyclists’.
Long Beach has previously been touted as a bike-friendly city. Earlier this year cycle advocates praised the city for its cycle infrastructure, which reportedly cost up to $17 million.
