It was a major victory or a rampant disregard for the law, depending on who you ask.

More than 300 Critical Mass cyclists rode through downtown rush hour yesterday.

Their last monthly ride on May 26 ended in a clash between cyclists and police, with seven arrests and several traffic tickets. The cyclists responded with allegations of police violence, a charge police flatly deny, and complaints to the Law Enforcement Review Agency.

"Officers tackled me from behind," said Matthew Nightingale. "They put a knee on my head and forced me to the pavement."

PHONE NUMBERS

Last night, Nightingale had scrawled two phone numbers in black marker across his arm -- one of a close friend and one of his lawyer. He said several cyclists marked themselves to ensure police couldn't take their contact numbers away if they were arrested.

Echoes of the previous clash were visible throughout the ride.

One rider's back bore a sign that read "No more blood stains, give us more bike lanes."

Yesterday, the police bicycle unit and several media escorted the riders, as they chanted, sang and cheered their way through two non-violent loops of downtown.

The cyclists left Central Park shortly after 5 p.m., and circled through downtown twice before winding up the ride at The Forks' skating pavilion at 6 p.m.

Dozens of riders hoisted their bikes above their heads, cheered and whistled at the end.

"We were a major presence. It was great," said rider Cleo Butcher.

But cops say the participants abused a police focus on their safety to break the law.

"The participants immediately began disregarding the Highway Traffic Act by taking up several lanes of traffic, riding the wrong way down one-way streets, failing to stop for numerous red lights and driving on the sidewalk," said Const. Jacqueline Chaput, a Winnipeg Police spokeswoman, in a prepared statement last night.

Chaput added ignoring the rules tied up traffic and put drivers, cyclists and pedestrians in danger.

Police made no arrests and issued no tickets. But Chaput warned riders may not escape without penalty during the next monthly ride by the anti-car activists, part of an Internet-linked movement active in many cities around the world.

"After being given the benefit of the doubt, it is unfortunate that members of the Critical Mass ride disrespected what the Winnipeg Police Service felt was a common goal of a lawful and orderly ride," she said.