Motorcycle version of Critical Mass blockades Beltway

On the 27th of December, sportbike, dirtbike, and even a few ATV riders staged something rather like a Critical Mass bicycle ride on the Capitol Beltway in PG County. For years police have been harassing African-American riders of the dirt bikes and ATV's, now they find Mad Max is a game two can play. The massive swarm took over all lanes of the southbound Beltway, alternately blocking and riding with traffic. Police batted zero, with every last rider escaping. Police cars have no more ability to kettle high performance motorcycles than airliners do to kettle fighter jets.

The next day, WTOP Radio reported this as breathlessly as if they were describing a terrorist attack. Although no political demands were visible(nor would banners be practical on motorcycles), the video looked more to me like a Critical Mass bike ride or at most the recent waves of street blockades by protesters against police brutality and murder. African-American motorists in cars climbed up onto their door sills to offer support and the whole scene looked quite festive.

WTOP's lead local story on this said it was part of an organized set of rides, with others on speed-camera infested North Capitol Street (hopefully without license plates) and still another ride in Arlington, VA. Nowhere did cops suceed in catching a single biker .Still, let's not forget the dirt bikers who have been killed by police in chases. Enough of these organized rides and police might find themselves under overwhelming pressure to stop their war on African-American motorcyclists and come to terms instead.

Youtube video posted by Alyssa Ruth, WARNING-ad supported