Gothamist: The Party's Over for PartyBike

Paul

Sat, 08 Apr 2006 08:52:21 -0500

As the owner of a conference bike business in Minneapolis, I'm disapppointed to read some of the negative comments here made about the bike. Yeah, it looks a little silly simply because it's an unusual mode of transportation, but get over it. It's a good way to move through a congested downtown area. In fact it's the best way. It's also safer than the mobile coffins that jam up the streets. And, yes, it is kind of a touristy thing to do when in New York but doesn't the economy in your city kind of depend on tourist dollars? If you want to send some of those annoying tourists to the Twin Cities, we'll take them. Any city would love to have that problem. www.cycleseven.com

Hello Nurse

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 15:05:30 -0500

You know who likes the community bikes? The terrorists! BTW: What're the chances that the NYPD will donate those bikes to Critical Mass?

Christian

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 14:10:44 -0500

Wow, some of these comments are completely useless. Let's clear up a few things. First, party bikes have drivers and the people who participate just sit in a circle pedaling. The driver has control over steering, breaking, and can pedal. Therefore, crazy tourists are not the ones actually in control of the bike. They can look around all they want because they are not actually driving the bike. Second, party bikes ARE traffic. People who complain about traffic congestion in times square probably complain about snow in the winter: DUH! Just like tourist buses, rickshaws, and horse carriages, just because you think a party bike looks stupid doesn't mean that it isn't a rightful part of traffic. My fiance bought my friends and I ride on a party bike for my birthday last year, and we took that thing all the way down to Union Square. It was a blast, and it was safe. Party bike is a great enterprise. Just because they can be annoying doesn't mean they should be banned.

r

Wed, 05 Apr 2006 09:28:47 -0500

Will someone please actually read the Transit Alternatives website before shooting their mouth off about what they think the group stands for? http://www.transalt.org/

anon

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 23:42:21 -0500

Enough tourists like them... so why not regulate them instead of banning them? They aren't any slower or more obnoxious than anything else in times square. I'd rather have those than shit-dropping abused-horse drawn carraiges in midtown.

anon

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 22:02:43 -0500

Come on transportation alternatives or critical mass--all these tourists are going to have to ride the smog belching double decker buses if you don't defend the 'conference bike'. Oh wait--TA & CM care more about 'protest' and 'tight black jeans' than smog.

Tim N.

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 16:38:41 -0500

I'm sure you'll find someone to fit the bill.

Jack

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 16:23:57 -0500

And now New York City is safe again.

y

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:47:15 -0500

but who will i yell ASSHOLES! at when in times square?

Adam

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:37:40 -0500

I tend to be a law-and-order type person, but this is going too far. Those bikes were so much fun. I took some out of town friends to Times Square and we rode one of the bikes -- it was such a thrill to be riding in the middle of traffic! Never did I feel unsafe. We were careful and rode as fast as the cars did (which you know isn't TOO fast in Times Sq.). My guests were thrilled. And we are all in our late 20s. Bring back the bikes!!!

kevin

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 15:20:27 -0500

i always wanted to ride one of those :( i guess i will have to do it in another city. just like clubbing. and chalk art. when will new york be liberated again?

Jenny

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:44:13 -0500

I don't like pointless restrictions, but watching people on those things makes me nervous. Not to be too irritating, but the dictionary says that a bicycle is "A vehicle consisting of a light frame mounted on two wire-spoked wheels one behind the other and having a seat, handlebars for steering, brakes, and two pedals or a small motor by which it is driven." Those things don't really fit that description, and I really do worry about people's safety while riding them through the city. There's always a lot of traffic in that area, and the people on those bikes are usually distracted by trying to simultaneously go sight-seeing. They aren't particularly aware of what's going on around them. I wouldn't want to ride through traffic like that in an unfamiliar city either.

huh?

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:43:44 -0500

I don't think anyone is suggesting that they be banned because they are bicycles. They should be banned simply because they are moronic and dangerous and worsen a terrible traffic problem.

anony mouse

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:33:46 -0500

If any one wants to entertain themselves turning the tables on the Gawker kids, instead: http://gawkerstalkerstalker.blogspot.com/

mike

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:12:13 -0500

While I think they are silly, they *are* bicycles, and thus can't (and should not) be banned for simply that sake. Perhaps they should be regulated as a for-hire vehicle - I think that makes sense. As for those who argue that they impede traffic -- tough. They ARE traffic. Besides, you must be insane to drive through Times Square, so it's not like you were in a hurry anyway.

killeropi

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:01:30 -0500

omg it's about time, those are the most annoying, obnoxious pieces of tourist bait. When I'm stuck in traffic and I see one of those filled with smiling tourists waving at commuters trudging their way home and blocking a lane during rush hour, I get... irate.

TJ

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 14:00:47 -0500

Best news of the day!

Dirk

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 13:36:21 -0500

Good riddance. Those things were so gay...

brian

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:56:18 -0500

$15,000 for a dopey bicycle?

dumbidea

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:50:26 -0500

I can't believe these things were ever allowed. Seriously. Dumbest.Idea.Ever. Get a bunch of tourists who don't even know how to WALK in the city without getting in everyone's way to pedal a bike in some of the most dangerous traffic in NYC. It's a miracle no one was killed. I hope that they are banned permanently. We already have a traffic problem! These just make it worse.

r

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:33:31 -0500

because some people patrol gothamist for any opening to lash out at critical mass or whine about hipsters or nyu students. I've never understood the obsession.

S.D.

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:29:38 -0500

Um, How'd this involve Criticl Mass?? Odd...

goodriddance hata

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:21:59 -0500

THIS town is really getting on my nerves.

Good Riddance

Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:19:43 -0500

Good riddance!! I wonder if Critical Massers will come to Domite's defense as well.