Isn't this how everyone rides in NY?

Awesome video - sorry I didn't find my way here earlier. I plan to purchase a single speed/fixed gear bike when I visit NYC in a couple of weeks - but after watching the video, I'm not so sure that's a good idea - both buying a bike and riding it, at least in Manhattan.

remember...

when your boss needs you to fetch those documents to close his big deal on a friday at 5:00pm, it's the bike messenger that you call to bring it on a rush job.

when you're telling your cabbie to hurry up because you're late for your date with corporate barbie, it's the person on the bike that has to bust their ass to get the hell out of the way.

when you call to have food delivered because you're too lazy to get it yourself, think about the person that rode their bike around the corner for you.

this is new york city folks. the style of riding that you see in the "empire" trailer is possible because these riders have acquired the skills to keep them alive while working in this city. while you might not totally agree with what they're doing, they deserve the respect that they have earned. just like corporate suits, not all riders are the same.

when you step out of your office next time, open your eyes a little bit and realize these people are working hard for people like you.

when it rains or snows or is a 105 outside, think about how comfy your ass is sitting in your chair getting fat.

the next time you take your cruiser out on a loop through the park on a sunny saturday afternoon ride, remember what it was like for you to make your way through the streets of the city to get there.

and remember, just like driving, an unskilled person is not only harmful to themselves but most harmful to the people around them.

Okay, from a purely artistic standpoint, that was fun to watch. Pretty colors and beautiful almost-sunset light.

i bike in the sprawled southbay area, i'd rather bike through stopped city traffic than expressways of speeding SUVs and pickups.

I'm a L.A. rider, but I got a little taste of NYC riding this weekend. People think riding a bike in LA is crazy, but really NYC is a whole other world of crazy. I don't know which is more dangerous, New York is more chaotic, but LA has more speeding SUVs and a less connected network of bike routes. Can't beat the weather in LA for riding a bike though.

i thought i was a risky bike rider but those people are just crazy. and i bet none of them have brakes.

I agree--it was kind of boring. And they don't even look like they are doing anything all THAT dangerous (other than the guy merging on to the highway).

The comments, however, are quite entertaining!

heres another good one

>Guys like these are surprisingly not the types who get into fatal >accidents often.

I think they only get one chance at that!

They can be the best riders in the world...all it takes is one mistake by a driver, and without a helmet, they're toast. I've cracked a helmet in a fairly minor fall on pavement. It doesn't take much to get a serious brain injury.

It's so Lucas Brunell.

http://www.digave.com/videos/red-web.mpg

As in so many other cases, when people say "tough" it could pretty easily be exchanged with "stupid." It wouldn't take but one cab driver not paying attention to put an end to their biking days once and for all. Getting around the city in a wheelchair isn't nearly as glamorous.

You were telling a story about something you did. I said what I would have done if I was present, and saw someone doing that...which I don't think you did anyway.

What does my having a vagina have to do with anything?

Guys like these are surprisingly not the types who get into fatal accidents often. They do this frequently enough that they anticipate nearly everything.

Everyone else can quit the tough guy act.

Babyhitler's probably right. The guys in the video are pretty expert riders and might never get jacked up. But kids watching this stuff will go out in the streets...and you know the rest. The camera angles are great and the rides are breathtaking but I hope that people will just see this as entertainment and nothing more.

If you find this video interesting maybe you should check out some skateboarding videos. That shit will blow your mind.

Seriously, threatening people on message boards is about the least productive way to spend your time possible.

Ghost Face Killer said it best on the Cd-Rom that accompanied Wu-Tang Forever:

"Yeah, yeah, all you mf'ers are about to get punched in the face through the internet. People are gonna be getting punched through the screen and shit."

Novanlus @ #43 threatens:"I'd have stepped in and broken your face"

Novanlus @ #56 lies: "Not trying to threaten you,"

After you finish adjusting your panties, little fella, you can return to typing threats anonymously on your keyboard.

Also, "thefacts", if you've never gotten any injuries growing up around here, you've never been in a fight. Everyone who throws down catches a whoopin every now and then. So quit your act.

Not trying to threaten you, but it's YOU who are trying to come off as though you're some tough guy or did something helpful for the sake of the city by taking our a bike messenger.

Are you fat and jealous of someone who gets more exercise than your lazy ass will ever get?

Do you hate your job, or hate yourself, and dislike anyone that might have a hint of passion in their daily routine?

Or did you make up the story thinking you'd get a laugh here?

You're a fuckin loser, pal.