Gothamist: Clowns Take Back the Bike Lanes

Matthew

Mon, 15 May 2006 10:21:19 -0500

The safe confines of anonymous posts. Great reading material.

Anon. Again

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:59:48 -0500

Oh, I'm not anti-gun or anti-America. More power to you to use your weapons in proper defense of country and self. I myself own two air guns and six handguns (legally, of course). I was just commenting on the possible political hypocrisy of the situation at hand.

onlyonelikeit

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:49:58 -0500

Yep, an air rifle. There are many like it, but this one is mine. So be it, Until victory is America's and there is no enemy.

Anonymous Again Again

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:42:26 -0500

AIR GUN?? God, I love you ultra-liberal NYC people (I've lived in Manhattan and the Bronx for all my life by the way) who are so pro-biker and anti-car (and probably anti-gun rights), but when it comes to breaking the law HYPOCRITICALLY for your own purposes..... MUST YOU GUYS GIVE MORE AMMUNITION (pun intended) TO THE BILL O'REILLYS???

Anonymous Again

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:26:31 -0500

AND ADD to the host of illegalities committed by bikers: No headlight No legal taillight or 3" reflector No bell No signalling at all (what a joke) And when the BIKE CLOWNS gave out their replca tickets - ILLEGAL. You see, the city council not to long ago made it illegal to put a leaflet on a car or bike, so as not to constantly annoy said owners. This is non-discriminatory and has nothing to do with political free speech (which is what the CLOWNS have a right to do) beacuse the measure cuts across commerical and private lines. So, we may admire it when NYC bicyclists demand enforcment of the law re: motorists; but they had better watch out, because as the Bard said, they will BE HOIST BY THEIR OWN PETARD.

nokeyme

Fri, 12 May 2006 15:00:02 -0500

Please, no keying of cars. Too Obvious. I used to use my air rifle to plink cars who's alarms went off every night. No, it doesn't go through windshields. Just a small dime size dent. Oh, what I'd like to try? Deer musk in the vents. The vents are under the windshield wipers, just poor this deer musk or scent in there and it's another Seinfeld episode.

Anonymous

Fri, 12 May 2006 14:47:28 -0500

You don't need names, just eyes to see. It seems that TimesUP has made "reasonable demands" that inlcude an entreaty for the police not to confiscate bikes, but simply ticket them if they are commiting a traffic violation. As Penn & Teller say...! Look, if you would compare the number of parking tickets that could be given to motorists blocking bike lanes on a given day versus the number of moving violation citations (more serious!!) that could be given to bicyclists on a given day for oh, running red lights, wrong way biking, illegal turns, riding in crosswalks and sidewalks (you get the picture), the results would not be so flattering for Transportation Alternatives. So let's all get real here. We can all support expanded oppotunties for biking in our fair city. But our fair bicylists are very much less than the pot calling thekettle black, beacuse they break the law in far greater numbers than motorists. Hell, they constantly scare pedestrians more than cars.

me

Fri, 12 May 2006 14:40:36 -0500

JO Mamm, I will give you exact address of where I keep my car – provided that you tell me exactly what time you'll show up... we'll see how tough you are then.

JO Mamm

Fri, 12 May 2006 13:20:00 -0500

I'm keying cars in the bike lane. KEY THOSE FUCKING CARS!!!

deadliestcatch

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:54:48 -0500

It's obvious dedlybiker is a TROLL. Why even respond? Unless one really does take these troll posts seriously, then that's just sad. And, POC, you spit out more venom than the troll.

Gwin

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:46:32 -0500

pissed off cop: the term "losers" is still a personal attack, regardless of who it's addressed to. And I'm not defending dedlybiker so much as pointing out that you are guilty of the very offenses you are railing against (as am I, but at least I'm not denying it like you are).

Rocknrope

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:40:57 -0500

I'm surprised we don't see things like this more often: http://armchairathlete.blogspot.com/2006/01/true-crime-toronto.html

Job

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:37:54 -0500

How gullible are all of you who take pissed off cop seriously?? The earlier poster is right - pedestrians, bikers, and cars are all looking out for themselves. This isn't a suprise, and there is going to be unavoidable frustration when that many people are on the streets together.

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:35:12 -0500

Gwin - if you have read my first post carefully I was referring to the clowns as losers, NOT bikers in general, and you're actually defending some sick nut who wants to see people's brains ooze out of their heads? I am the only one here responding to the troll dedlybiker, but I assume the biking community is proud have someone like him on your side. So who has the problems here?

ceeceerrbee

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:27:02 -0500

POC is really a cop. Only a cop would take stuff like this that personally. Don't believe me? try and disrespect a cop.

Gwin

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:24:11 -0500

pissed off cop: in your very first post, you refer to bikers as "losers" -- and now you are acting all high and mighty about "personal attacks"? You want dedlybiker to get run over by a truck -- how is that NOT an offensive rant/personal attack? You clearly have problems.

zerodark

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:24:06 -0500

Wow, pissed off cop? I surely hope you're not really a cop with that much venom? Now I'm glad cops get killed in this city. I only wish more were dead like fred. I dance my jig and drink a forty.

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:17:02 -0500

I guess this thread has degenerated to offensive rants, personal attacks, name callings and trolls like dedlybiker, so need to post here anymore. It's Friday and I'd love to see dedlybiker gets run over by a semi and have his skull crushed in like a grapefruit, and have a rabid dog chew off his leg before sanitation scrap his body off the road...ummm

Anonymous commenter

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:08:53 -0500

Where does the idea of civility and moderation go when it comes to these posts? Some drivers are jerks. Some bikers are reckless. Some pedestrians are idiots. But it seems like all anonymous commenters here are off their rockers, hateful, and ignorant. Poster, know thyself. The answer is moderation all around. Bikers obeying traffic laws, drivers parking in designated areas and obeying the speed limit, and pedestrians getting a little more slack because people on foot should own the sidewalks and crosswalks. These Gothamist bike posts always decend into such hatred! It's almost a given that any bike-related post will generate 30 or more comments. Why so much venom for people on two-wheeled transportation?

dedlybiker

Fri, 12 May 2006 12:03:22 -0500

Where are all these tough guys? I work in midtown, a dense work area. I hardly ever see a beat down? I did see one in City Hall and that was hardly a beat down. Some guy was pissed at an interracial tourist couple. The guy was white. I laugh at dead drivers. The more the merrier. I love to see their skulls open like a fresh coconut. mmmm. fresh brains oozing out. I love Fridays, more dead drivers.

JP Lynch

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:50:32 -0500

Gwin: I did get hit by a bike once while crossing in the crosswalk when I had the walk sign. What happened? I wrecked the fucker. While he was writhing in agony on the ground I laughed my ass off and walked away. I guess that's karma, bitch.

Scott

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:48:47 -0500

Regardless of politics: more bikers = less drivers, less drivers = less traffic, pollution, wear n tear to the roads, less noise. All of those things are good not just in China but right here, in traffic snarled NYC. Regardless of politics, when you fill your tank or choose to drive over walking, taking the train or riding your bike, you've just become political. You want your gas, pick up a rifle and buy your plane ticket.

who cares

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:46:43 -0500

All of you seem stupid.

Toby

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:46:07 -0500

As a bicyclist, I think it should be legal to knock down the morons who ride on the sidewalk. They also tend to be the ones who don't wear a helmet and have headphones on. I have had a few close calls with jaywalkers while on the bike. The worst of them are those who dart out between parked vehicles who you see at the last second. Most of them look at you like you were in the wrong. Traffic laws should be enforced regardless if you are in a motor vehicle, on a bicycle, or a pedestrian. Just an observation about drivers: the worst ones seem to have cars with Pennsylvania or North Carolina plates - two states where people illegally register their cars to save on insurance. They need to be dealt with.

Gwin

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:42:20 -0500

...oh, and I think it's pretty clear pissed off cop is somewhat unbalanced. I hope he's not a real cop -- maybe a mall security guard or parking lot attendant? -- or is at least on desk duty and has had his gun taken away - for the sake of all of our safety.

10 mile daily bike commuter

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:41:02 -0500

NOTE: i said "many" bikers.... not ALL. Big difference.

dedbiker

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:39:45 -0500

Stop it, it's Friday. I can't wait to hear more DWI's killing themselves on the news. I laugh whenever a car goes into a ditch and the driver dies. I laugh when they go over a bridge like the cop motorcyclist. I laugh when they drive head on to traffic. I laugh when the cop cars gas tank explodes or when he gets swiped while giving a ticket. I love it, I love it, I love it.

Gwin

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:39:25 -0500

Joe: if you have the right of way, then YES you have every right to be pissed off - and I am not at all suggesting that bikers are always right, because there are plenty (although not the 99.9% number previously thrown out there by someone) that have no respect for pedestrians/traffic signals at all. My policy is to respect pedestrians in crosswalks at all times when the light is in their favor. I am simply saying that I experience pedestrians acting foolishly when they do NOT have the right of way on a daily basis -- and this is not an exaggeration.

joe

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:32:05 -0500

Pedestrians that get annoyed at you for nearly hitting them when YOU have the right of way are obviously complete morons (if anything, you have the right to bitch them out). If THEY have the right of way, then hell yeah, you ought to be bitched out. I'm not anti-biker, I DO BIKE, I just hate the arrogance and the attitude that bikes rule the road, especially when I am a pedestrian with RIGHT OF WAY I have almost been plowed down more than once by hooligans on bikes.

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:29:51 -0500

hank, please keep your politics to yourself and stick to the topic here?! Who cares if biking is taking off around the world, it's NYC we're talking about here. I hate it when self righteous liberals ALWAYS trying to tie the War to everything, leave the war for a peacenik protest post, okay!

Gwin

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:26:57 -0500

JoeyCee: while I agree that there are plenty of riders who don't obey the laws, your "99.9%" statistic is a huge exaggeration. There are plenty of law-abiding bike riders who deserve to have access to the lanes that have been CREATED for them -- free of clueless pedestrians and cars. JP Lynch: your trollish, ignorant attitude pretty much guarantees that you will get hit by a bike at some point in your life. That's called Karma, bitch. Rocknrope, DA MILKMAN: word, brothers. pissed off cop: wow, are you really that stupid? a lot of riders aren't on "joy rides" -- they are commuting to work, for one. Would you rather they jam up the streets in cars or add to overcrowding on the subways? joe: what you way about pedestrians is abolutely untrue. You have NO idea how many times in my daily commute that pedestrians walk out right in front of me (jaywalking/crossing AGAINST the light) without looking to see if there's oncoming track. Yes, then they bitch me out for nearly hitting them when they have no one to blame but themselves.

joe

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:21:29 -0500

Ahhhhahahahaha bikers all have a "vast amount of experience"--is that what they are doing when they nearly knock me over when *I* have the Walk signal? Didn't you know running a light on your bike is also illegal and subject to a much bigger penalty than Jaywalking (which is almost never enforced and costs $2 or the price of a subway ride). I think biking is a GREAT idea and I love biking myself but I am RESPECTFUL and follow the RULES that are designed to maintain order and safety on the streets.

hank

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:17:33 -0500

Does guerilla theatre get the goods - consistently. We are imagining and practicing building a better world. From the Boston Tea Party to ACT UP, guerilla theatre has helped actors imagine a more thoughtful democracy. Don't know if some of those posing have noticed it, but biking is taking off around the world. Even yesterday's walll street journal commented on the renewed interest in urban cycling. Wars for oil are not getting us anywhere. Whereas cities built for bikers are the better world. As always the bikers are the wise fools spreading the news.

JP Lynch

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:11:38 -0500

10 mile daily bike commuter: Know I get it - everyone's wrong except all you cyclists with "a vast amount of experience" and bikes can go everywhere. You're a jackass.

Homer Fink, American

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:08:45 -0500

If you want to ride a bike, move to China.

10 mile daily bike commuter

Fri, 12 May 2006 11:03:42 -0500

actually, jaywalkers do present the potential of injuring someone especially when they are arrogant enough to charge in the path of an oncoming vehicle or bike which causes said oncoming vehicle/bike to swerve or slow down and cause others to do something they should not have to do. sheesh. there is a reason why jaywalking is illegal and subject to ticketing!! all too many jaywalkers think they know what they are doing, but actually do not! bikers in this city, many of whome have a vast amount of experience, know how to ride without directly endangering others. pedestrians, next time a biker whizzes by you, think twice to see if you REALLY were in the right place. oh, and as for the "runner's lane" in the park... that's for bikes too!!! - especially when the gas guzzlers are allowed into the park.

joe

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:57:17 -0500

Also, the difference between pedestrians jaywalking and bikers careening through red lights is that at least pedestrians look for a clearing because they understand what is at stake if they mess up.

joe

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:55:34 -0500

Pedestrians have a fraction of the speed, a fraction of the mass, and a fraction of the rigidity of bikers and cars. A bike or car will ALWAYS come out on top in an accident with a pedestrian. Dear bikers and cars: OBEY THE GODDAMN TRAFFIC LAWS! I think we should have "Critical Mass" for pedestrians. We can run around, block roads, cause traffic jams, and get arrested. It will be great!

Ace

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:54:50 -0500

who rules: 1) pedestrians then: 2) bicycle riders then: 3) automobiles based upon potential to inflict damage to themselves and others. It's that simple see?

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:51:56 -0500

I also gotta look into whether giving out fake tickets count as a felony, if so I'll all over these clowns' asses!

JP Lynch

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:47:46 -0500

mattsimbols - Yes I do jaywalk but I'm not injuring anyone when I do. Also, if I were to get hit by a car or bike while crossing illegally, even though I'm sure it would suck, I would be in the wrong. All I ask is that everyone takes accountability. I have gotten into a lot of confrontations with both cyclists and car drivers because of the way they ride around thinkin' they own the streets. And I do own a bike and ride it occasionally.

DA MILKMAN

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:29:30 -0500

To everyone that complains about bikers: Keep contributing $2.00 a ride to the crooked MTA that’s been ripping us off for 100 years, keep paying into the TLC that clogs up our streets with mad men and fills our lungs with CO2 emissions, or better yet to all of you fools that drive 3 blocks in your hybrids to go grocery shopping don’t think your doing the environment a favor. I wont even mention gas prices, oh to all you trusty police officers that left postings, I want you to know it makes me feel so good knowing that people like you are paid by us to keep the streets safe, we all know what a good job your doing and how educated your are. As for the clowns why stop there? Fake tickets is a start, but how tempted are you to just plow over pedestrians and others that just don’t pay attention and then look at us like were the nuts. The only thing that pisses me off about this demonstration is why didn’t anyone call me?

Glenn

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:17:26 -0500

Yeah, as if a ticket would ever be given for breaking Rules § 4-08(e). That would be the day. First of all, there are so few bike lanes in the city that it'd be pretty hard to actually violate the rule. Most of the vehicles in violation are delivery trucks, and as much as I'd like them to get out of the bike lane I understand they have nowhere else to unload their goods. It's the other vehicles that really annoy me. And city vehicles are *always* parked in bike lanes. Always. For example, I can't remember the last time I biked past City Hall and didn't see a few city vehicles (and the occasional squad car) parked in the narrow bike lane opposite the Brooklyn Bridge -- and I bike past almost every weekday.

mattsimbols

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:15:15 -0500

JP - Unfortunately, traffic rules do not apply to anyone in this city. I imagine you jaywalk on a daily basis, so before you go bashing bikers for ignoring traffic rules stop crossing the street when its my green light. One thing you learn when riding a bike (disclaimer:massive generalization to follow) is that people in New York all share the arrogance you folks are attributing to bikers. The "me first" attitude extends to everyone in this city. This is about folks in cages endangering the lives of cyclists and making the city less bike-friendly. Less cars in this city benefit everyone, pedestrians included. And if the NYPD is going to be handing out $200 tickets to cyclists for running red lights then I expect them to be ticketing the rest of those violating traffic rules. "Get a life and walk." Wow! I don't even no what to say to that. You've obviously never ridden a bike. You should try it some time, it's a lot of fun.

will

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:12:33 -0500

bikers, if bike lanes are -that- important to you, move somewhere that has them. i want a pony lane.

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:06:32 -0500

God, why can't cyclists realize that Manhattan is NOT big enough for their little joy rides! Get the hell out of the borough and ride in Queens or some other places, we have enough cars and pedestrians here already and don't need anymore worthless hipsters on bikes! I will propose abolishing all bike lanes in Manhattan to Bloomie. Wish there'll be a major bike pile up in the next CM so I can laugh my ass off.

Joe

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:05:43 -0500

Does street theater like this ever bring about change? While I'm sympathetic to the cause I can't see clowns giving out fake tickets changing the behavior of double-parkers. Giving out real tickets doesn't seem to help either. I live across the street from a market that always has double-parked cars in front of it. It doesn't matter if the police are ticketing them, giving them warnings, or just ignoring them, the double-parkers are always there. I can't imagine that ticketing someone who occasionally parks in a bike lane is much of a disincentive. What would it take to get the city to reconfigure a street, maybe as a demonstration project, so the bike lane is between parked cars and sidewalk? Would that make cycling safer?

JP Lynch

Fri, 12 May 2006 10:03:44 -0500

You know what - fine. Be selfish pricks that cause major traffic jams and I'll be the asshole puttin' my shoulder into your dumbass and knockin' you down. Don't like that attitude? Then realize that cyclists DON'T OWN THE ROAD EITHER.

Scott

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:47:52 -0500

Bikers are HELPING by keeping more cars off the street. Be glad they exist and consider becoming one next time you're paying for 3 dollar gas or 20 dollar parking.

Rocknrope

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:38:48 -0500

As a biker, I understand the frustration and downright hazard caused by automobiles in bike lanes and not watching out for cyclists. As a runner and pedestrian, I can get frustrated by bikers aloofness as well. I wish I could give tickets to bikers for: 1) Riding in the Park's runners lane (saw alot of this during the 5 Boro Bike Tour) 2) Riding on the sidewalk 3) Blowing through a red light/Stop sign, and getting pissed at the pedestrians for being in the way 4) The general arrogance and superior attitude of those that think they're Tyler Hamilton (minus the doping) To get, you gotta give, and there are plenty of cyclists who don't.

JP Lynch

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:32:51 -0500

Can we please stop hearing about these whiny jackasses on bikes?!?! People on bikes run red lights, cut off pedestrians, go the wrong way on one-way streets and I'm supposed to sympathize? Get a life and walk!!!

Pissed off Biker

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:23:35 -0500

I really don't see the need for bogus tickets. I say we should just key the cars in the lanes with our special serrated bar ends. Just make sure the owner isn't in the car and when they come back they get a nice fucking surprise. Goddamn people always double park in the bike lanes! bogus tickets won't help. let's take it back 80's style.

Tim N.

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:21:55 -0500

99.9%? Do you have names, too? Jackass.

Scout

Fri, 12 May 2006 09:18:51 -0500

And I'm sure all these stupid clowns are riding single file in the bike lane when it is clear, right? Even in the picture that's posted, there is not enough room for a car to stop and still leave room for other cars to pass. Plus, there are people walking their bikes in the bike lane, a photog standing in it, and I'm sure it's a lot harder to manuever around a parked car then to not get hit by a car because the driver is being distracted by a large group of morons in clown outfits. Plus, look at the guy on the front passenger side. He just looks like a jerkass with his stupid nose on (and feet not on the pedals, he's just leaning forward like he's trying to direct his segway).

JoeyCee

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:53:50 -0500

I agree that bikers should have a lane that is strictly for them. I also wanna say that 99.9% of biker riders don't obey traffic laws...they go thru red lights...go down 1 ways...ride on sidewalks...ride where there are people walking and there is really no room for bikes (Union Sq Farmer's Market)...F up Central Park...wear silly outfits (they like to pretend that they are racing)...and have an attitude that they are superior than all....I say unplug that Ipod and take off the silly spandex and try not to be dicks so much...

JT

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:50:42 -0500

To POC: 4) And please ticket cars parked in bike lanes.

mike

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:42:39 -0500

pissed off cop: 1) Try riding a bike in this town 2) Get a sense of perspective 3) Get a sense of humor thanks. everyday bike rider

pissed off cop

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:33:47 -0500

I can't understand why Gothamist is always promoting these losers who think they are spreading a "message" by being a general nuisance to the public. Time to take out my trusty baton and enforce some no clowning around rules on these Critical Mass rejects!

A mild-mannered cyclist

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:31:10 -0500

Hello there, ME. You don't seem to understand that the real clowns blocking people's way here aren't the cyclists, they're cagers blocking the bike lane. Get on your bike and try riding up 6th Avenue and you'll fully appreciate it. Failing that, don't you have a newsgroup to troll or something? I wonder if they're also handing out tickets to folks who step into the bike lane to hail a cab. That's my personal pet peeve. There oughtta be a law that cabs on one-ways with bike lanes must pick up and drop off only on the other side of the street.

ME

Fri, 12 May 2006 08:02:16 -0500

man, if some f*cking clown blocked by way and gave me his silly little bogus ticket, we'd find out once and for all how many clowns can fit in a volkswagon.