Gothamist: Bike Lane Directing Cyclists Onto Sidewalk, Into Cops

plannedchild

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 15:19:08 -0500

This is not a nation of rules. Just rulers. Rulers who are dumber, uglier, and fatter than you.

The Edge

Fri, 28 Nov 2008 09:30:29 -0500

#43- Well, wherever you moved from, I'm sure it's a lot more bike friendlier than NYC. So, y'know, maybe you oughta... move back?

quinnsans

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 20:36:49 -0500

I think they meant for you to turn onto the Sidewalk & then cross the street. Bureaucracy’s stupid.

rhodamine

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 19:54:01 -0500

Ahh, the NYPD... always dishing out that Courtesy, Professionalism and Respect...

mabsooti

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:33:05 -0500

I've gotten at least 3 sidewalk bicycle summonses since I moved to NYC 3 years ago. ALL of them were dismissed, but it was very hard to know so until the actual day of court. Calling about it was a timely circus of bureaucracy so I just showed up and missed work days. Ouch. Each of these summonses were handed to me during circumstances in which it was.... #1. downright dangerous to remain on the street. #2. empty in terms of pedestrians. #3. a rainstorm/ debris blocking narrow street passage/ coasting slowly for others' safety and never for more than a block. #4. NYPD is ludicrous.

mabsooti

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 13:29:10 -0500

yggdrasil

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 10:03:06 -0500

I was the girl who was also ticketed during this 5-cops-and-a-van sting. FGutz123, I wanted to tell you that this happened to me IN FRONT MY MY GODDAMN HOUSE about a year ago, and because it was a summons and not a ticket for any actual amount, I ended up not making it to court (hello! I work!), and eventually just got a notice in the mail saying the case had been dismissed. If this is your first, uh, offense, I'd guess that's likely to happen to you - though it's not a surefire thing to ride on, and calling this to the courts attention would be excellent. Whatever. They took the woefully outdated address off my out of state license, and I wasn't about to volunteer my actual address. See you never, courts. If a biking on the sidewalk ticket lies heavy on my record for the rest of my life, so be it. And, thanks for the DOT and TA responses.

allenwhy

Wed, 26 Nov 2008 01:13:56 -0500

JenChungsBra, my running a red light ticket i'm going in for tomorrow is for $200. and sure, i ran the red. there were no cars coming, i looked both ways and judged that since pedestrians were crossing against the light, so could i. i wonder if i dismounted and jaywalked in the crosswalk with the rest would i receive a ticket? kojak, apparently riding a bike is evil. the police (the higher ups, not necessarily the foot patrol who are told to stand on a street corner and write tickets) and drivers/peds have a real anger towards people on bikes. a lot of it has to do with anti hipster sentiment that is raging in this city and the bizarre, immediate correlation with bike and said hipster. see, riding a bike, is a nice, pleasant, "green" way to get around the city. the problem is being in a city designed to ease motor vehicle congestion (one way streets, etc) and following motor vehicle laws. it just doesn't make sense to be held to the same laws. we aren't 12,000 pounds of steel doing 50 down narrow soho roads. we're a grand total of maybe 200 pounds doing 12, and that's only for the speedy cyclists. in addition, the driving in new york is reckless. huge trucks should not be doing 50, period. in new york, if a speed limit isn't posted, the speed limit is 25. i have never seen a car doing 25, ever. so my riding on my bike must react to my conditions, and playing it safe makes me a sitting duck. aggressive riding is the only way to not die. okay, bring on the hate... i expect nothing less.

thefacts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:38:08 -0500

Cars = terrorists on 4 wheels TransAlt & cycling zealots = terrorists on 2 wheels Pedestrians = all the rest of us

Kojak

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 18:34:21 -0500

How come every time there's some type of minor story involving bicyclists (especially if its near Williamsburg, The Village, etc), and how (Allegedly) the govt tries to keep them 'down', the Gothamist community becomes enraged and it leads to a 50+ comment thread?

zwiegand

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 15:21:52 -0500

I was also ticketed on a rainy Sunday afternoon in February along the desolate strip of sidewalk adjacent to Admiral's Row. The case was dismissed before I ever saw a court room. If memory serves, the issuing officer even told me it would probably be dismissed when he wrote the ticket. Why are they wasting time and resources on this stuff?

virgil

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:58:26 -0500

I'm surprised by the sidewalk vs. wrong way question as well; my only cycling ticket was for going the wrong way for a distance of about 18 feet along the plaza in front of the Time Life building while heading to lock my bike up. I think police enforce what they feel like enforcing, secure in the knowledge that you can't win that particular argument at that particular moment.

JenChungsBra

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:24:37 -0500

allenwhy, I accepted a jaywalking ticket but I can't say I did it gladly. Three hours in a courthouse plus $25. The cop apologized to me for issuing it, but it was during Giuliani's big crackdown on the "Boulevard of Death." I wasn't even crossing against the light, just outside the crosswalk with the light. The ticket actually said "crossing outside the crosswalk."

peanuthead

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 14:00:46 -0500

@FGutz123 & allenwhy: interesting that the cops would enforce the sidewalk rule rather than the against the traffic rule since I think riding the wrong way on the street is more dangerous. i am sure there are those who would beg to differ, especially cops who do not care if a cyclist is struck (either by a car or another cyclist).

allenwhy

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:51:08 -0500

"the cop actually told me that I was allowed to go down the wrong way on South 5th place to reach the entrance of the bridge. While he was giving me the ticket these two bikers came around and went down the wrong way on S 5th Place and the cop even pointed them out to me saying "see, that's what you should have done, you can do that," but the bikers ended up turning right onto South 5th street instead of going onto the bridge (yes continuing down the wrong way on a street right in front of the cops)" that's actually true. not to say that's the law, but it's a law they are willing to ignore while enforcing the sidewalk law. i was stopped on the sidewalk while many went the wrong way and weren't stopped. i actually went on the sidewalk because i figured they would stop me for going the wrong way. i didn't get a ticket anyway, one cop was on his cell and the other was finishing up another ticket after he stopped me and when i asked why i was stopped and got no response i left. i wasn't followed, they probably forgot i was there. oh well. they have a job to do, and i will do anything in my power to avoid bullshit tickets. i'd like to see a pedestrian gladly accept a jaywalking ticket!

JenChungsBra

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:48:25 -0500

FGutz, sounds to me like you can get off on a technicality. The environmental control board is not a criminal court. Maybe if you produce the statute when you get there they'll see you are in the wrong place and will dismiss it.

Tar_Baby

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:43:01 -0500

I got a ticket for biking on the sidewalk just as I was about to get onto the southern ramp of the Williamsburg bridge. Apparently, the cops wanted me to walk my bike to the bottom of the ramp and then ride up the ramp with zero initial momentum. Ticket got dismissed anyway, but what's up with the ticketing blitz in Billyburg?

drewo

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:42:28 -0500

Thanks for posting the DOT reply.

Spiritof76

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:19:24 -0500

I get more convinced every day that NYPD is not run by Ray Kelly but rather Rosco P. Coltrane. Complete with Cletus and Enos. And maybe Boss Bloomberg as well.

cutandsewn

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:09:20 -0500

That sounds like the police to me!

The Edge

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 13:08:27 -0500

I'm sure Detective RatherBe will let all the cyclists off the hook.

babyhitler

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:56:10 -0500

cops can't deal with criminals. criminals use up tax money. civilians make tax money.

fleshtone

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:54:42 -0500

I've gotten two sidewalk tickets in the last two years in Brooklyn (one was BS, one was my fault), and they were both dismissed by mail a few weeks before their respective court dates. I'm not sure what purpose they served. There's also some language in the city code that says riders must stay in the street unless it is unsafe to do so. Reasonable, no?

stevejust

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:43:32 -0500

I don't know the law in NYC, but in several localities it's legal to ride a bike on the sidewalk if you're going the opposite direction as traffic on a one-way street, as the situation is here -- even if it's illegal to ride on sidewalks otherwise. Regardless, those cops should be fired or reprimanded. If I lived in NYC, I'd be leading that campaign.

FGutz123

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:27:47 -0500

oh and I forgot to add... the cop actually told me that I was allowed to go down the wrong way on South 5th place to reach the entrance of the bridge. While he was giving me the ticket these two bikers came around and went down the wrong way on S 5th Place and the cop even pointed them out to me saying "see, that's what you should have done, you can do that," but the bikers ended up turning right onto South 5th street instead of going onto the bridge (yes continuing down the wrong way on a street right in front of the cops)

zodak

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:23:24 -0500

once again the pigs are harassing law-abiding citizens instead of dealing with real criminals.

FGutz123

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 12:06:04 -0500

Hi all, I'm the "reader" that this happened to. Thanks to Gothamist for sharing my story and doing some investigation on the matter (and getting a better picture of the location than the one I provided). I really appreciate it. In the end I think my ticket will just be dismissed without even seeing a judge. I do plan to bring in a photo of the location just in case. And I plan to seek a pre-trial dimissal due to wrong venue. If anyone is interested: My ticket states that I should appear before a criminal court. The offense on my ticket reads: Biking on sidewalk and the code I've violated is sec 19-176 sub 3b I found that code online and here it was it says: b. No person shall ride a bicycle upon any sidewalk unless permitted by an official sign. A person who violates this subdivision may be issued a notice of violation and shall be liable for a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars which may be recovered in a proceeding before the environmental control board. So technically I shouldn't even be going to criminal court. I should be going to this Environmental Control Board instead. This is such a waste of everyone's time. No money for the city is gained from this so I'm assuming that the NYPD officer that gave this ticket to me was fulfilling some kind of quota (if quotas for NYPD exist, it could just be a myth)

thesquirrelsacorn

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:47:07 -0500

"cyclists" are not, like, a group of people. normal people have bikes. some ride them a lot. i ride my bike once a month or something, am i a "cyclist"? it's just a normal thing people do and learn when they're little, there's not a group. the only group is those gross racer ones in the spandex. there's no such thing as cyclists, you animal. every kid learns on training wheels. i drive cars and ride bikes. you people are animals.

thefacts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:15:32 -0500

Ratherbe writes: "Muni-meters are soon going to be installed on Grand Street," Soon? Really, ye who know so much? When? When Sadik-Khan gets out of bed with Wiley Norvel and Paul White? Don't hold your breath, my little friend. However, thanks for proving my point that DOT is dysfunctional.

ides_of_march

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:11:49 -0500

Entrapping citizens into ticketable offenses is how the city plans to balance the budget.

Phineas Gage

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:10:13 -0500

No big surprise. The cops at the precinct (88) around the corner from me regularly park in the bike lane on Dekalb @ Classon, forcing cyclists into the flow of traffic at a very busy and dangerous intersection. When the cops start respecting the laws, that's when I start respecting cops.

RatherBe

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:08:06 -0500

Muni-meters are soon going to be installed on Grand Street, it was always outlined as part of the plan, but you were probably too busy trolling on here to notice.

peanuthead

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 11:06:32 -0500

on another note, that designated turn for cyclists is dangerous since cars turning right from the cross street are not expecting anyone turning there, anywhere.

JenChungsBra

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:58:06 -0500

The bike lane arrow may point to the sidewalk but there are no markings indicating that the bike lanes continues on the sidewalk itself. Get off the bike when you get to the sidewalk. Or maybe you require a sign that says "BIKE LANE ENDS HERE, MORON, TIME TO DISMOUNT".

chrissederstrom

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:57:35 -0500

i received a ticket for riding through a deserted continental army plaza on a late sunday morning this past july, intending to take a sip of water from the drinking fountain. the hearing on october 7th resulted in my second dismissal for a summons of this nature; the first infraction happened near a desolate stretch of sidewalk adjacent to admirals' row last february. in some circumstances riding on the sidewalk is safest. if these infractions are unenforceable, please make some reasonable adjustments to the law and stop wasting our time.

thefacts

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:55:53 -0500

Gothamist writes: "We've waiting for a comment from DOT," John, you'll be waiting forever before the autocrats and assorted losers at DOT will respond. DOT is among the most dysfunctional agencies, particularly since the new Traffic Czar, Diktator Sadik-Khan took over from Schumer's wife, Iris Weinshall, two years ago. DOT makes so many screw-ups when they install these new bike lanes, it is incredible. Witness Grand Steet, where they installed a bike lane and moved parking, but neglected to install muni-meters. The DOT engineers with their bulldozers plow ahead over community opposition and common sense Even whenn DOT is cycling friendly, they manage to screw it up. Hi Bloomberg: Dump Sadik-Khan, your albatrosss.

peanuthead

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:53:50 -0500

wow! wiley norvell cannot remember the year of death for Bronx Jon???!!!! For those who are wondering it was in 2006. http://www.nybma.com/bronxjon/index.htm http://www.ghostbikes.org/new-york-city/jonathan-neese-%2526quot%3Bbronx-jon%2526quot%3B

anopneumous

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:53:08 -0500

It doesn't beg the question, it raises the question.

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:49:51 -0500

actually the cop should ticket that motorcycle parked on the sidewalk next to the handicap ramp.

sstrudeau

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:46:53 -0500

Actually, I'm pretty sure delivery guys do frequently get tickets. When I got a sidewalk ticket (for riding off a empty sidewalk after repairing a slipped chain) there were about five delivery guys in a line in front of me at the courthouse. The worst part is you probably won't even get to sit in front of a judge or mediator -- my ticket was dismissed at the window, the only "cost" being time out of my day. I think I'd rather have paid a fine for the opportunity to argue with a judge.

JMH

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:46:16 -0500

That was profound, Shel.

hungryghoast

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:38:28 -0500

according to the Modern Penal Code.. which i'm pretty sure NY uses... Yeh, according to the markings you are not at fault, show the picture and you're fine. and yknow... I respect cops, mostly... My grandfather was a cop in this city... but gods damnit, why do so many cops these days have to be so fucking stupid?

holyfrjole

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:33:32 -0500

So while delivery guys on bikes speed down sidewalks in residential neighborhoods and never get busted, the city's assinine directions actually lead law abiding bike riders into the arms of waiting cops. This makes sense how?

mocanlagunas

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:28:36 -0500

Didn't you get the memo? Cops don't like cyclists...

JacqueMehoff

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:22:18 -0500

better take your pictures now before it disappears.

r1b2

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:19:13 -0500

A picture is indeed worth a thousand words. You were merely obeying the traffic directions and the judge will dismiss this. It's unfortunate you will have to waste your valuable time to prove how ridiculous this is.

The Edge

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:18:18 -0500

Nothing wrong with that...

Outter Burrougher

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:13:53 -0500

take the pictures with you to court and try to fight the ticket, guys. sounds like a revenue raiser to me.