Victory for Critical Mass Cyclists who win Landmark Ruling at House of Lords

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London Critical mass September 2008

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LONDON A controversial legal battle, has been going on for months over the legal rights of Critical Mass and the Law Lords have, today, now ruled that the last Friday of the Month Critical Mass Cyclists, who meet at the South Bank in London, do have the right not to give advance notice to the police.

Even with my limited knowledge of law, it was pretty obvious that it was a clear cut case because Critical Mass has no leader and organiser as such.  In large charity events, for example, organisers have to notify the police but this clearly was impromptu meeting  managed by no one and people can come and go as they please.

The BBC today have said:-

"The cycle ride has been taking place in London since 1994.  Every month cyclists gather on the South Bank and ride through the city to celebrate safe cycling. A Court of Appeal ruling had said officers should be notified.

But the Lords allowed an appeal against the decision by Des Kay, a participant in the Critical Mass ride. He said he was "thrilled" by the landmark win.

Earlier cyclists who took part in the rides had been handed written notices by the police. They said the event was unlawful as it is governed by section 11 of the Public Order Act 1986 and organisers needed to notify them about the date, route and participants' names and addresses. But the House of Lords said that as the event had no specified leader or set route and proceeded on a "follow my leader" basis, it was not subject to the Act. 

The Metropolitan Police argued that the cyclists followed different routes every time so police needed to be notified to avoid disorder and traffic disruption. But Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips of Worth Matravers, said evidence showed officers were usually able to police the event. 

" Friends of the Earth Rights and Justice Centre, which represented Mr Kay, said the ruling was "an important victory for the right to peaceful protest". Impromptu Critical Mass rides take place in more than 400 cities worldwide"

Up to 500 cyclists take part in the London Critical Mass. No doubt they will be celebrating their major victory on Friday evening.

They say that the 'sun shines on the righteous' though, in this case, it is not the police.

No doubt they will embark on a heavy Red Light Campaign and get their own back on the cyclists in the future.