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My name is Tim Hayes and I participated in the March 29th Critical Mass ride. I was among 57 other bike riders who gather at Loring Park on the last Friday of everymonth to; celebrate bicycling, create awareness of bikes on the streets and promote alternative transportation. We are in no way a protest or demonstration. There is no structural component to our group. We gather to ride bikes. As simple as that.

When we left Loring Park at 530PM heading east bound on Willow St. I saw 4 squad cars sitting abreast blocking West 14th St. At this point the group circled around and continued east bound on Willow St.We were then pinned in by the 4 MPD cars at the corner of Willow St. and West 15th St. At this point the officers instructed us to get in single file. We were at the time riding 2 abreast on the right side of the road. When the police confiscated one man's bike because of his failure to register it part of the group broke off and headed to Loring Lake in the middle of the park. I was with this group. When I reached the walking bridge at the western edge of the lake. The police then descended from various roads(Hennipen Ave, Oak Grove St. and Hennipen Pl.) surrounding the park, driving on the grass and pedestrian/bike sidewalks. At this moment I began to leave the park. I managed to get to MCTC on the North edge of the park where I entered the building after locking my bike. I then watched the park (from the corner of Yale Pl. and Willow St.) for the next 45 minutes watching to see if the police would confiscate my bike, although it is registered. During the next 45 minutes police officers patrolled the park stopping various bicyclists, to see if they had registration. None of these bicyclists were with the Critical Mass. From my view none were cited or ticketed.

Also during these 45 (5:45-6:30) minutes that I watched the park for a safe time to leave. The Critical Mass now numbering aprox. 30 riders rode by the college as it exited Loring Park on Grant St. The group was riding 2 abreast and in the right lane. 5 squad cars followed this group and five minutes later I witnessed 3 more squads and one flatbed trailer moving at high speeds with out there sirens on run the stop sign at the corner of Grant and Willow St. (heading north bound and turning east bound).

At 6:30 I left the park and rode home.

Tim Hayes St. Paul Mn