More S.F. Police on Patrol After Bicyclist Melee

Extra police patrolled downtown streets Monday after last week’s raucous mass bicycle ride that led to a near-riot and scores of arrests.

“We’re staffed up for it, but it’s been peaceful so far,” acting Mayor Susan Leal said. “We do have more officers available, but we’re hoping cooler heads prevail.”

During the morning commute, about 40 cyclists made their way down Market Street under the wary eyes of officers. Refusing a police escort, the cyclists completed their short ride without incident.

The scene was vastly different from Friday night’s so-called Critical Mass ride, in which more than 5,000 bicyclists swarmed through city streets. Chaos ruled as many of the riders abandoned a prearranged course and spread out through the downtown area, leading to confrontations with police and motorists.

Critical Mass is an informal group of bicycle enthusiasts who organize monthly mass rides in the streets during rush hour. Their motives vary, but some want cars banned and others simply want motorists to show more respect for bicyclists.

Two officers were injured during Friday’s ride, and several cyclists said they had scrapes with angry motorists forced to wait at intersections as the army of cyclists passed. More than 250 people were arrested.

Police and prosecutors met Monday to discuss how to proceed with the cases, many of which are infractions that will be handled in traffic court.

“It may still take a couple days to sort it all out and return all the bicycles,” said John Shanley, a spokesman for Dist. Atty. Terence Hallinan.

A handful of cases involve assaults in which the “bicycle was the instrument used in the crime,” Shanley said.

Ellen Kerr, a 36-year-old San Francisco teacher arrested Friday, headed for the Police Department early Monday to get her $500 bicycle returned. Her effort was in vain.

“They tell us they’re holding it for evidence,” she said.

Kerr said she was arrested Friday with a group of about 100 people who, she added, were corralled by police in a downtown block and given no warning of imminent arrest.

“Most of the people I’ve talked to are angry and determined to continue. [Police] didn’t give us any warning. They did not tell us to disperse. They just told us we were all under arrest,” Kerr said.

Mayor Willie Brown was out of town and unavailable for comment, but he previously called the event an “incredible display of arrogance and indifference.”