What happened on the July 1996 Critical Mass in Toronto?

Cyclists took over the intersection at Yonge and Bloor for approximately five minutes. One of the motorists who had to wait was a police officer. When the ride left the intersection and proceeded south on Yonge, the police officer sped after the group, without a siren on, using a megaphone to order the ride to "move to the right." Most of the cyclists got out of the way. Derek Birch didn't hear the megaphone and so remained in the left-hand lane. He was hit from behind by the police car. He yelled at the police officer, "We have a right to be on the road too buddy," and resumed riding. The police officer then chased him, tackled him while he was riding, pulled him off his bike and arrested him. He is charged with mischief and failure to stop for a police officer.

Meanwhile, João dos Santos Rolo had cycled back from the front of the ride to see what was going on. He stopped in the northbound lane in front of the cars which had stopped to witness the events. At this time a police officer arrived and ordered João to "get off the road!" Somewhat perplexed João asked "Why?" The Officer replied "You are blocking traffic." João did not want any trouble so he replied: "I will move to the southbound lane and I will not be blocking traffic anymore" --seeing that there was a stopped police car on the southbound lane and a big crowd in front of it. The police followed him there and again commanded João to get off the road. João could see that the sidewalk was full and that all traffic was stopped in front of him and so again asked why. The police officer then grabbed João, twisted his wrist and shoved him so that he was bent over the police car. Another police officer came and pushed João's face into the hood of the car while the first police officer handcuffed João. He was charged with mischief and obstructing an officer.

Derek Birch is a freelance graphic designer who has been cycling in Toronto for 12 years. He rides in the Critical Mass rides because he feels cyclists do not get proper respect from motorists, including the police.

João dos Santos Rolo is, among other things, a Portuguese-Canadian popular educator. This was his first Critical Mass ride. He participated in Critical Mass because he believes it is necessary to promote public awareness around the need for motorists to notice cyclists on the road and ensure their safety as the drivers of the smallest and most vulnerable vehicle.