The mother of a man accused of smashing a auto window during a Critical Mass bike ride last month in San Francisco called the episode “very disheartening”, but said there is more to the story than was captured in a widely publicized video of the attack. He was spotted riding his bicycle near riding his bicycle near McCovey Cove on Saturday.
Ian Hespelt, 39, of San Francisco, was arrested and booked at Southern Station for the following felony charges: 236 PC – false imprisonment, 245(a)(1) PC – assault with a deadly weapon, 594(b)(1) PC – vandalism, and 23110(b) CVC – maliciously and willfully throwing a substance at a vehicle.
The video shows a group of cyclists riding against traffic on Marina Boulevard as a Zipcar station wagon creeps ahead of a group of halted cars.
One of the cyclists yells “Stop that” and then says “You f***ing hit my bike” while other members circle around the auto and begin to behave aggressively toward the woman and her vehicle.
The driver tries to back up and maneuver around the group but is blocked again.
The damage is suspected of committing towards a zipcar is being calculated at $2,000. An article identifies him as “a Macy’s employee in San Francisco and a shop steward for the United Food and Commercial Workers Union (UFCW) who has attended 10 protests at Staples stores”. The answer is: “That would be stupid, since all Critical Mass participants either drive cars at least occasionally or have friends and family who drive out of necessity in our car-oriented society”.
Critical Mass, which started in 1992 and seeks to have its riders “cross borders” while “rediscovering urban spaces” also released a statement of sorts about the video.
A YouTube video showing a clash between Critical Mass cyclists and a Zipcar driver in San Francisco’s Marina District prompted harsh criticism for the popular cycling movement online as well as from city leaders.
On its FAQ page, Critical Mass organizers say: “We oppose anti-social behavior of all kinds, and when we see bicyclists harassing motorists or picking fights we confront them”.