BIKES Off the sidewalk!
Comments
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Dear pedestrians! Get out of the bike lanes! You look stupid with that fear on your face the minute you realize you jumped out between two parked cars in front of a bike going 15-20 mph!
When I have to choose between blindly swerving into the car traffic lane or going through you, you won't like my decision. -
Great video,fantastic use of a U-lock.Curbside justice at it's best.Light,bell,brake and reflector needed to comply with NYC law.Bike lanes work well.Bikes with no brakes should be crushed with a steam roller.People riding bikes on the sidewalk without brakes(fixed gear) should have a broom handle jammed in their front wheel and then be force to yell out"I am dumb!" Bicyclists killed while riding without brakes should have their parents spend the night in jail after their demise for raising a bonehead.
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Carnivore wrote: If you do get stopped, you're better off producing ID.
Best to carry a dummy ID too, like a work ID or school ID. Cops will demand photo identification, you hand them a non drivers license and they might just huff and puff and then let you off with a warning. The DL is easy to process, they scan it, you're in the system, you get a ticket. Another ID takes too much paperwork and just isn't worth it to the busy patrolman. -
Subject: BIKERS ON SIDEWALKS
The best way to deal with these thugs is plain and simple - stick a bar/pole/baseball bat etc. in the spokes of the front tire and watch them fly! If they are still conscious when they land, take their pic and blog. -
if i'm still conscious and have the wherewithal, you're getting a chain to the face, motherfucker. hypothetically speaking.
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Ha! That's a big if.
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Can we not advocate violence please?
Thanks.
-Mods -
MeredithB wrote: [quote=bill c]I recently got 3 tickets for riding my bike on the sidewalk. i was riding the one block from the street to my building and it was 3:30 a.m. but the officers were not sympathetic.
Serious?
I got 2 traffic tickets for riding "not in bike lane" and "no lights or reflection material" (that's actually not true) and a summons for disorderly conduct "obstructing pedestrian traffic" . any idea how much this will cost?
1. Why did you stop for the cops, it's not like they can catch you.
2. Since when is it illegal not to bicycle in a bicycle lane?
3. Is it a law to have a light after dusk? I have no idea.
4. Obstructing pedestrian traffic? WTF?
They should all be dismissed IMO
Let me guess... Times Up! regular?
Real talk,
No offense,
Ppl who can't bike on NYC streets shouldnt bike in NYC,
And if you don't have the courtesy to ride on the street instead of sidewalk, or the common sense to wear a helmet all the time and lights + reflective gear in the dark, then you deserve the full brunt of the law. After all, God forbid anything were to actually happen and you got hit by a car or w/e, w/no helmet + lights + reflective gear you'd (prob literally) have no leg to stand on as far as culpability goes.
Ppl need to take responsibility for their own safety and be courteous.
And yes, I ride fixed and drive my car in BK regularly. -
geez people get so upset about this.
despite what the law says it makes far more sense to ride bicycles on the sidewalk than in the street.
similarly it makes about as much sense to require bicyclists to travel in the same direction of traffic and stop at red lights as it would to require pedestrians to do the same.
granted an overzealous delivery guy may buzz you every once in a while but you have to make sure that you don't get killed every frakking time you step off the curb because there is no guarantee that a car is going to stop at a light, stop sign, or wait for you to cross while making a turn.
what we really need is to greatly expand the width of most sidewalks (by eliminating parking, (cue the cries of horror about the abrogation of your right to park on your street)) to allow enough room for pedestrians, bicycles, and, wait for it ...
Strollers. -
I would never wanna be riding my bike on the sidewalk. A lot of the time the sidewalk is bumpy and cracked and buckling as tree roots grow. Also I like to ride fast. I will say what annoys the hell out of me is someone going the wrong way in a bike lane, and expecting me to move out of their way. Those people should be eaten by wolves. Go one fuckin block over and use the bike lane in the right direction or at least get out of my damn way.
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vidro3 wrote: geez people get so upset about this.
Riding bikes on the sidewalk makes no sense. In busy areas like Midtown or Soho or w/e they usually eliminate parking during rush hour, so expanding the sidewalk would only exacerbate traffic problems. Plus if u were to expand the sidewalk, pedestrians would just take over the added space, nullifying the whole idea of adding bike lanes to it. The barrier provided by parked cars between pedestrians and bikers is beneficial to both parties.
despite what the law says it makes far more sense to ride bicycles on the sidewalk than in the street.
similarly it makes about as much sense to require bicyclists to travel in the same direction of traffic and stop at red lights as it would to require pedestrians to do the same.
....
what we really need is to greatly expand the width of most sidewalks (by eliminating parking, (cue the cries of horror about the abrogation of your right to park on your street)) to allow enough room for pedestrians, bicycles, and, wait for it ...
Strollers.
Eliminating parking in BK would be ridiculous anyways. Many ppl w/cars in BK use them to drive to work or carry family around. If I live in BK and work in the BX or Jersey or LI why should I have to sacrifice my car to cater to the whim of bikers?
Never mind the fact that the percentage of people who commute to work by bike is a lot lower than online proponents would suggest. Even if all cars were banned from the roads, most people wouldn't commute to work by bike simply because
- most ppl can't get all sweaty to go to their office jobs
- most ppl just dont see biking 7-10 miles each way to work as a way to start and end the day
- most ppl who bike don't follow safety or traffic laws... why open the roads up to people who bike w/o helmets going the wrong way listening to their Ipods?
When rider awareness and respect of one's own safety increases then maybe a dialog can be had about opening the roads up to bikes. However catering to a group with generally no regards for safety or traffic laws, who represent a tiny piece of the population but demand changes that would affect nearly everyone negatively just doesn't seem like a smart way to spend our time. -
while it's true that biking to work would never be practical for me (at least in my current job), i am an example of someone who would bike for leisure and non-work transportation if i weren't scared shitless of nyc traffic.
i wish there were some solution other than riding in the car lanes. as it is, i haven't used my bike since moving here. -
If you have the "balls" to wear these bike shorts you should be allowed to bike anywhere you want:
(Slightly NSFW)
http://peopleofwalmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/116.jpg -
stacey wrote: If you have the "balls" to wear these bike shorts you should be allowed to bike anywhere you want:
Um. Those are awesome. I need a set, I mean pair, I think you know what I mean. Thanks for making my morning, Stacey.
(Slightly NSFW)
http://peopleofwalmart.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/116.jpg -
sweet tea wrote: while it's true that biking to work would never be practical for me (at least in my current job), i am an example of someone who would bike for leisure and non-work transportation if i weren't scared shitless of nyc traffic.
The nature of the city just doesn't allow any alternatives.
i wish there were some solution other than riding in the car lanes. as it is, i haven't used my bike since moving here.
Biking on a main street like Flatbush or Atlantic is a death wish... but there are tons of alternatives to get to where you need to go. North/South is a little tough but Franklin & Bedford have bike lanes and drivers generally respect them. East/West is a breeze, esp on Dean/Bergen with their bike lanes... but I use St Marks all the time w/o issue.
If you just want to ride to ride hit up the park. Aside from the main loop they have some trails inside that don't have the Lance Armstrongs or kamikaze crossers. Of course u have to get there, but that will warm u up to riding in traffic, which really isn't bad. It also helps to ride w/others until ur comfortable on ur own.
I've been here 3 yrs and biking for 2.5 on and off into Manhattan, down to Sheepshead Bay, wherever. You just have to get out there -
If I may chime in for a moment.... Riding a bike on the sidewalk can be quite dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. I have personally witnessed quite a few pedestrians get struck and injured by cyclists weaving in and out of pedestrians on the sidewalk. The Law states that cyclists must ride in the street and must obey the same Traffic rules as motor vehicles. Children ages 12 and under are exempt from this Law and may ride their bikes on the sidewalk. ECB summonses may be issued for Riding a Bike on the sidewalk along with Criminal Court summonses. ECB is Civil and nature and fines for offenses are generally a lot greater than Criminal Court summonses. Admin Code violations such as Bike on Sidewalk/ Open Container of Alcohol/ Public Urination are all enforced by the NYPD and Criminal Court summonses are issued for these offenses. NYS does not require a person to cary ID, however if you break the Law and do not have ID you may be arrested that offense. Carrying fake ID and running from Cops is dumb; generally speaking if you run from the Police you will probably get your ass handed to you and Arrested no matter how minor you think the Offense is. If you don't think the Bike Laws are fair then write your congressman and try to have the Law changed.
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Truth be told, the police do so little enforcement of any vehicular laws that there's a fat chance that they will enforce the laws in regards to bicycling.
Of course, IMO, most police have some type of grudge against bicyclists. Maybe it was the Critical Mass around the time of the republican convention that made the cops this way, I don't know.
IMO, I'd say there is always some bigger crime/violation being committed out there that the police should be focusing on than worrying about bicyclists who really, aren't going to hurt anyone but themselves. -
Police have a personal vendeta against bicyclists? Did you ever think that the Community has complained about people riding their bikes on the sidewalks putting pedestrains in danger uneccessarily; especially having bike lanes designated for them. Its very simple, streets are for cars, motorcycles and bicylclists; sidewalks are for pedestrians. If bycyclists are too afraid to ride in the street where they're supposed to, maybe they should just walk or take public transportation. Where do you get your facts from Meredith about Police doing little VTL enforcement? Im curious as to what you do for a living beside complain and criticize?
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I'm not suggesting that police have a vendetta towards bicyclists because bicyclists ride on the sidewalk. They have a vendetta because IMO they see bicyclists as anti-police and liberal.
Let's see, the stretch of Flatbush ave is notorious for speeding. Why isn;t there a cop car there 24/7? Shoot I'll even take 1/7.
Cops don't do VTL enforcement because a) it's paper work, b) they may have to go to court, c) it makes money for the state not the city.
Im curious as to what you do for a living beside defend the police? -
MeredithB wrote: .
They have a vendetta because IMO they see bicyclists as anti-police and liberal.MeredithB wrote: .
if you dont think they are enforcing the law about bicycles at all,
fat chance that they will enforce the laws in regards to bicycling.
how could they possibly carry out a vendetta ?
:roll: -
You probably don't see that many Police due to the Fact that the Department is down over 7000 officers since 2001. The remaining officers are stretched so thin with their Anti-Terrorism duties, it leaves little time to ticket speeding motorists.
P.S. There is a Cop car 24/7 on Flatbush ave, he just happens to be protecting your Bridge! -
King without a crown wrote: If I may chime in for a moment.... Riding a bike on the sidewalk can be quite dangerous for both pedestrians and cyclists. I have personally witnessed quite a few pedestrians get struck and injured by cyclists weaving in and out of pedestrians on the sidewalk. The Law states that cyclists must ride in the street and must obey the same Traffic rules as motor vehicles. Children ages 12 and under are exempt from this Law and may ride their bikes on the sidewalk. ECB summonses may be issued for Riding a Bike on the sidewalk along with Criminal Court summonses. ECB is Civil and nature and fines for offenses are generally a lot greater than Criminal Court summonses. Admin Code violations such as Bike on Sidewalk/ Open Container of Alcohol/ Public Urination are all enforced by the NYPD and Criminal Court summonses are issued for these offenses. NYS does not require a person to cary ID, however if you break the Law and do not have ID you may be arrested that offense. Carrying fake ID and running from Cops is dumb; generally speaking if you run from the Police you will probably get your ass handed to you and Arrested no matter how minor you think the Offense is. If you don't think the Bike Laws are fair then write your congressman and try to have the Law changed.
I'm aware of the law.
I just think that prima facie the law doesn't make much sense.
Cars and bicycles are really not in the same category. bikers are in much more danger from cars than peds are from bikers. -
King without a crown wrote: You probably don't see that many Police due to the Fact that the Department is down over 7000 officers since 2001. The remaining officers are stretched so thin with their Anti-Terrorism duties, it leaves little time to ticket speeding motorists.
1. Anti-terrorism. HAHAHAHA. What a joke. Serious, you need to move out of NYC ASAP so you can feel safe.
P.S. There is a Cop car 24/7 on Flatbush ave, he just happens to be protecting your Bridge!
2. That cop is eating donuts, not protecting a bridge, one cop can't protect a bridge if he wanted to.
3. Thanks for admitting and rationalizing that the police don't do VTL enforcement. -
Garfunky wrote: if you dont think they are enforcing the law about bicycles at all,
Where did I say "carrying out"?
how could they possibly carry out a vendetta ? :roll: -
vidro3 - i think you might belong in an entirely different class. you seem to be the sort of cyclist who wants to move slowly amongst the pedestrians. i don't think your idea of cycling works for the class the rest of us are in, bicycles that want to move quickly and behave like cars. it might be fair to say you "ride" your bike, whereas we "drive" our bikes.
i have a hard enough time dealing with pedestrians walking around the broadway bike path when i leave midtown, adds another 15 minutes to my commute. it would take me hours to get home if i had to navigate pedestrians the whole way home.
KWAC - i'd love to get your comment on this incident: http://gothamist.com/2009/09/02/driver_blocks_bike_lane_punches_cyc.php -
These type of incidents happen every day in the City. Bicyclists often confront drivers and try to enforce VTL Laws on their own. (I've been the victim of this while driving through Prospect Park) The end result isoften road rage. I'm sure theres 2 sides to this story, however it sounds like the cyclist also committed a Crime. She should've went to the hospital if she was injured. Sounds like the Cop informed her that this was a cross-complaint situation and she would also be arrested.
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MeredithB wrote: [quote=Garfunky]if you dont think they are enforcing the law about bicycles at all,
Where did I say "carrying out"?
how could they possibly carry out a vendetta ? :roll:
horror of horrors i changed "they have a vendetta" to carrying out a vendetta.
dont go changing the point.
i find your combined statements contradictory to the point of laughable. -
King without a crown wrote: Bicyclists often confront drivers and try to enforce VTL Laws on their own.
Someone has to enforce the laws. -
King without a crown wrote: These type of incidents happen every day in the City. Bicyclists often confront drivers and try to enforce VTL Laws on their own. (I've been the victim of this while driving through Prospect Park)
Maybe you'd know about this: what's the deal with cops speeding the wrong way around prospect park at night? I don't care if you're chasing a perp, go the other way around! That is so unbelievably dangerous that I don't see how it can be justified except under the most extreme circumstances. Cops have nearly hit me twice in the last few weeks. -
bobbybrummel wrote: vidro3 - i think you might belong in an entirely different class. you seem to be the sort of cyclist who wants to move slowly amongst the pedestrians. i don't think your idea of cycling works for the class the rest of us are in, bicycles that want to move quickly and behave like cars. it might be fair to say you "ride" your bike, whereas we "drive" our bikes.
so don't navigate pedestrians the whole way. I just think bikes should be allowed on the sidewalk in certain areas if they prefer it, obviously not on 7th ave and 34th st at 5pm.
i have a hard enough time dealing with pedestrians walking around the broadway bike path when i leave midtown, adds another 15 minutes to my commute. it would take me hours to get home if i had to navigate pedestrians the whole way home.
Even though it is illegal to bike on the street, for a lot of the stuff I do around park slope/windsor terrace I could easily bike on the sidewalk the whole way and encounter only a handful of pedestrians at most. In many ways it is a victimless crime.
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