BIKES Off the sidewalk!

I don't think bikes should be allowed on the sidewalk at all, unless they have to (bike lane blocked, avoiding accident, etc.)

MeredithB wrote: 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.

Did u just read Parade Rest's post about bicyclists injuring pedestrians on the sidewalk right above this post u just made here???

Ur whole 'cyclists are immune from blame' attitude is exactly why cops should clamp down harder on them (us?) when they act in ways that endanger others. That 'Critical Mass'/Times Up! crowd needs a reality check- they are no better than the people they lash out at, and often do more harm than good in regards to making headway in the arena of cyclists' rights.

Yea, some of us live in the hood where drugs are sold and guns are shot. However, if someone gets clobbered by some self-entitled rogue messenger and gets hurt, for that person a biker is prob worse than 'the people cops should be out after'.

bobbybrummel wrote: [quote=King without a crown]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.

KWAC-- so i imagine your advice on encountering the driver in the bike lane is to just let it go, not get involved, don't initiate road rage. i know a lot of people were thinking the same about this incident. you gotta be zen about this stuff or you'll be stopping every 3 blocks to take another picture to post on mybikelane.com.

but what would you, as a cop, advise someone to do in the case of the 9th ave "criminal mischief" incident? (http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/06/23/da-files-charge-against-cyclist-attacked-by-suv-driver-in-9th-ave-bike-lane/) bikers really have to be careful about touching cars, because the slightest finger oil smudge can cause thousands of dollars of damage (as drivers will later claim). but what can we do when contact with the vehicle or interaction with the driver is unavoidable? and in trying to save ourselves or merely stand up for ourselves we instigate violent road rage?

are we just expected to have faith in the system? be litigious and methodical, let charges be pressed against you and just hope the right side wins?

shouldn't there be some natural protection, even if it's just some sort of police discretion-- something to look out for the little guy, since we are often two tons lighter than these cars and the maniacs they have behind their wheels?

the simplest question i want an answer to is why don't the cops in these situations ticket the driver after the incident for being in the bike lane in the first place? i've been ticketed and warned for riding on the sidewalk, obviously someone has time to enforce that law-- why aren't police out there enforcing the bike lane violations that have far more lethal risks involved?

Driver + 3500# car + possible gun >>> you + 20# bike + u-lock

I prob would have beat the shit out of that Excursion driver though. I'm sure the case against the dude will be thrown out. In any case physics rule, no need to try your luck unnecessarily.

MeredithB wrote: [quote=Cool The Kid]Did u just read Parade Rest's post about bicyclists injuring pedestrians on the sidewalk right above this post u just made here???

Um, no, are you seeing things? Or maybe I missed it, please enlighten me to this post.

Cool The Kid wrote: Ur whole 'cyclists are immune from blame' attitude is exactly why cops should clamp down harder on them (us?) when they act in ways that endanger others.

Um, now you are reading into my statements what you want to, but I never said that 'cyclists are immune from blame'.

But I do believe that a 2 ton vehicle is more dangerous than a bicycle any day and that focus should be on VTL enforcement.

Cops having a 'grudge' against bicyclists = policing bicyclists is only out of revenge. God forbid cops do the job we pay them to

This Zombie thread is dusted off in honor of the DOTs efforts to give bike restaurant delivery drivers a forum to discuss their complaints:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/bicyclists/commercial-cyclists.shtml