The monthly gathering of cyclist keen to foster some freedom on the road and gain some space on the congested Friday evening streets of Leeds city centre set off just before 6pm tonight, after the usual 20 minutes of nattering and this month the added joy of watching the German Christmas market coming to life. The turn-out of 20 was in high spirits, with a chorus of tinkling bells, triumphant horns and cheerful whooping, and was soon joined by some enthusiastic late comers on Merrion Street adding a further feeling of solidarity to the group. The horn beeping and engine revving from the queue of cars behind started later than usual as the caravan turned west past Leeds bus station on the first loop, but as usual the serenity of cycling freely and unthreatened around the inner city loop drowned that out, the cars were reduced to a powerless crawl; conversations between cycling strangers became the order of the hour. The serenity was marred slightly as an incompetent, impatient, learner plated motorcyclist clumsily barged through the cluster and swerved into one cyclist. But the journey continued onwards onto the second loop. As the rain became heavier the consensus of the group was to continue round as far as the Common Place for a warming cuppa and chat, presumably about how fun cycling and critical mass specifically is.

After passing under the railway by the Leeds College of Music, the lights turned red and the procession slowed to its halt and allowed the group to condense. But as the bikes came to a slow halt the sound of sirens from behind grew louder. Sighting a blue lighted van shaped vehicle approaching and presuming an ambulance, bikes were moved to the side of the road to allow it to pass. But as the lights got nearer it became obvious it was in fact a police van, followed closely by a car. The van screeched to a halt a in an instant an aggressive mannered policeman marched out of the van and without hesitation hurled one cyclist and bike to the floor, he was then manhandled and thrown into the back of the police van which had been opened by his colleague, arrested apparently for obstruction of the highway. The two officers were soon joined by two others from the car which pulled up further down the road. Threats to nearby cyclists were blared out and at least one other person was dragged into the back of the van. “You’ve go no lights” came the accusation. “Your next unless you get out of here”, from another policeman. “We’ve got you on CCTV”. At this point the aggression of the first officer had evolved into an obvious seething anger and he came at the main group of cyclist barking further threats but was soon pulled away and convinced “that we can’t do anymore”.

“I appreciate the point you’re trying to make,” stated his calming colleague. “but you’re obstructing the highway. Get off the road and get out of here.” And they left, with three of the group in the back of their van. Bemused, angered and riled the remaining cyclists trouped back to The Common Place and then made their way to the Kirkgate police station.

After a long wait we were told that the officer about whom the complaint of brutality was to be made was the person who was on duty to handle complaints on that shift, and it was therefore not possible to make a complaint. Also it was revealed that those arrested were in the process of being released. The charge of obstruction clearly did not hold any strength and the aggression and contempt that the violence show by the police was completely inexplicable.

Maybe it was an attempt to rattle fear into those of us trying to make a pro-cycling statement on cycle unfriendly streets, an attempt possibly to flex the muscles from a force who want to eliminate the voice of dissent and subdue people through a display of aggression and fear instilling. Maybe it was just that the officers who made the call were having a shit day and wanted to take it out on someone, the adrenalin from the confrontation and the position of power going to their heads and preventing rational and calm behaviour?

Whatever it was, it was outrageous and disgraceful, although in many ways sadly not unexpected. And despite this shocking police display, Critical Mass will continue to be held in Leeds on the last Friday of each month. Bring your best horn, a loud bell, and your lights, and come and help reclaim the streets for cyclists.