While Critical Mass isn't quite the city-crippling force in New York as it is in SF, Bicycle Coalition types on the opposite side of the country have been in a court battle that dates back to the 2004 Republican Convention in NY in which they clashed with police in a big way. A judge ruled Tuesday that the NYPD can require that bicycle troupes traveling in groups of 50 or more must get a parade permit. "[Critical Mass's] lack of predictability and their tendency to try to stay together in a moving column, even if this means going through a red light… endanger other travelers and disrupt orderly traffic flow," wrote the judge.

Mike Aldax at The Examiner points to SFPD Chief George Gascon deciding, perhaps naively, last month to launch a review of the monthly bicycle brigade, despite Gavin's advice not to deal with the hassle. Watch out, kids! The law may be comin' to getcha!