Jack, the problem is when you take the actions of some people and apply it to a group. I don't ride in a way that risks anyone's life. Because others do, I'm in with the group that can't be taken seriously, in your words. The fact is that there's very little noncommercial bike traffic in this city, and that's because of the recklessness of drivers. Yet when there's a car accident, and a driver gets hurt, nobody talks about them getting what they deserve. The streets, the bulk of public space in this city, are owned by motorists. The behavior you describe as "notoriously rude" effectively prevents any alternative from developing. Yet drivers whine and whine about bicyclists.

Also, I think you mean "denial", not "self-denial". And it's spelled "asinine".

Ah, I'm just fuckin with you.

"Yo Jack, first of all, it's 'flout', not 'flaunt'"

Trivial and pissy splitting of hairs at best. But I'll accept the lesson learned and use 'flaunt' correctly in the future.

"Try riding a bike in this city and you might see the other side of the story."

I have been riding bikes in this city since I first learned how to ride on the edge of Ocean Parkway and the Coney Island Boardwalk in Brooklyn. Still have my receipt for my old school green Ross Apollo bike I purchased from Brighton Bikes back in the day. So please, save me the lecture.

And yes, you really are indeed forced to ride between cars and such. But every time I've done so I know very well that in an "any vehicle vs. a bike" race in traffic, the cyclist is at a natural disadvantage. So I know when to back off. Speed up and (shockingly) pause and stop to allow cars and trucks and buses to pass. And yes, I have taken spills in the street. And whacked my shoulder on a side-view mirror of a van/truck at one point.

As much as I want NYC to be more bike friendly--and in many ways with the greenways and improved paths in parks it is--the fact remains that there are tons of jerk-offs in this city riding bikes in ways that risk their lives and others.

And yes, people do jaywalk. But ultimately a jaywalker puts only themselves at risk when they act like that. Cyclists who ride the wrong way down streets, ride on sidewalks with no regards for others, or ride through traffic and speed through pedestrians--often threatening them in the process--are going to hurt themselves and others in ways jaywalkers never will.

NYC drivers are notoriously rude. But NYC cyclists are really pious and in self-denial when the continually ignore how their own assinine behavior makes things worse.

Yo Jack, first of all, it's "flout", not "flaunt", and second of all, where the hell else are you supposed to ride a bike? You can't take a lane, which you're legally allowed to and supposed to. Try that and you're really going to get clobbered. You have to ride between cars, or even worse between traffic and parked cars, with people opening their doors in your path all the time. Try riding a bike in this city and you might see the other side of the story.

They should section off bike lanes on major avenues with a curbed median, like in many European cities. This will prevent the cars from driving in bike lanes.

I personally would love to have a bike in NYC, but it seems very dangerous. You have cars and trucks coming at you from the left, and you have the NYPD and Bloomberg coming at you from the right. SQUISH.

it's also against the rules to jaywalk or cross against the light yet people do it all of the time. The only time I have ever almost bumped into anyone it's when they jump out into the street after the last car goes past. I certainly try and avoid them but I wouldn't cry much if I heard of getting taken down by a bike.

The truth is that in general it is much safer to split lanes than it is to ride in the bike lane where you are more at risk for getting mowed down by a cab picking up a fare or doored by some jackass who doesn't look before leaping. All that being said, this one does sound like his fault. So he is at least lucky to be in one peice.

next time one of you freaks is jaywalking with your face buried in your cell phone watch out for my foot up your ass. :)

When you play Chicken with a Truck and a Bus, you become a Chicken Cutlet.

but how could he have known the rules? he was a recent immigrant! it's not his fault

I feel sorry for him, but it is completely his fault. It's hard to take cyclists in NYC seriously when they routinely flaunt traffic rules like this. It's 100% illegal to be riding inbetween lanes like this. And what happened to the poor guy is the reason why.

Sad event. But a very real lesson on things to not doing when riding around NYC.

It was probably his fault. You know how crazy these bike messengers ride. They love to squeeze in between cars and trucks, not to mention bumping into people.

Shit Happens when you take risks.