Gothamist: Bunch of Clowns Rally for Kent Avenue Bike Lane

GOP

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 15:23:33 -0500

I'm holding my nose up in disgust.

MrManhattan

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:20:24 -0500

>> "...wait, I'm confused- which side of the argument wears clown outfits?" In this particular case, both. The difference is that one side will take off the outfits tonight, and the other side will still look like clowns tomorrow. (of course, the prior group reserves it's right to dress as Pandas, Santas or wear no pants on the subway at a later date)

MrManhattan

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 23:15:44 -0500

>> "NYers learned to ride in traffic and real NYers don't need bike lanes." So you're suggesting we go back to the '70's when the streets were less congested because the soccer moms were afraid of getting shot if they drove their Country Squire Station Wagons into the City? I personally would prefer to fine, fee and tow them back into submission, but if the only way is to go all Bernie Goetz on them....

peanuthead

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:51:46 -0500

lord,no, i would not trust my bike to these, uh, clowns. just look at their own P.O.S. bikes.

zodak

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 17:16:31 -0500

times up bike clowns free bicycle repair

TSOL

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 15:29:02 -0500

...wait, I'm confused- which side of the argument wears clown outfits?

widefive

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:56:23 -0500

I saw these guys. I think the biggest danger to their safety was the potential reactions of those subjected to the Fatboy Slim mix they were blasting. What exactly were they trying to say with that crap?

citizenerased

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:41:02 -0500

@23 Because the 8 people who showed up were all unemployed and bored.

Pull My Finger

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:37:45 -0500

Clowns = Scarry Freaks

Migstradamus

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:35:48 -0500

I guess the memo about how using the word "hipster" as a generic insult for things you don't like or understand is over didn't reach many of the commenters here. I know quite a few people in Times Up!, including several who went on that ride (only one in these photos though). Most are from NY, educated, have real jobs, and are very politically active beyond cycling. And at least half of them are over 40. Several others I know are part-time squatters who sure as hell don't have trust funds. Disagree with their policies or their tactics as you like, but holding your nose with disgust and using tired, entirely erroneous, labels just makes YOU look like a clown. Don't be bitter because such people highlight your own apathy and laziness.

RatherBe

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:28:04 -0500

Probably alot of "professional" jobs with no real hours.

zodak

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:26:49 -0500

they dress as clowns all the time, even during "summer streets" when they weren't protesting. so nobody should be offended. i also wondered why they scheduled it during normal work hours.

RatherBe

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:26:10 -0500

facts is the same guy who "DOESNT BRAKE FOR CYCLISTS" so it's probably a good idea not to care what he thinks about how to ride a bike or who should and shouldn't.

thefacts

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:20:06 -0500

Clowns are appropriate metaphors for any adult foolish enough to demand a personal bike lane. These trust-fund newbies in clown suits want to turn Gotham into Portland or Boulder, or whatever burg or suburb they come from. NYers learned to ride in traffic and real NYers don't need bike lanes. Bike lanes are needed for children, wimps, crybabies and former suburbanites who want to suburbanize the Greatest City in the World into East Boulder. Head back West, kiddies.

RatherBe

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 14:09:01 -0500

These clowns are obnoxious but they make a point about the necessity of a safe lane of travel for cyclists in some areas. John - now that you're commenting on here, any response to the question I've asked you before? Funny you call out the clown for being on Bedford and not Kent when you can't get the avenue/street thing consistent.

Politburo

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:41:32 -0500

9: Just wanted to point out that a PU/DO doesn't help a parent with a child that cannot be left alone. That doesn't justify removing the bike lane, of course.

jt10000

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:36:56 -0500

"Blasting Fat Boy Slim" That pretty much says it all.

matty

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:29:02 -0500

how do these people exist? I have no money. I can't live in new york, yet these people are ostensibly unemployed and find time to do this shit. makes me mad.

brunning

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:27:54 -0500

i agree with many things times-up does, but this is not one of them. does anyone think that a bunch of people in clown outfits making a scene and acting stupid is going to do anything to change the minds of a highly conservative community? this is exactly the kind of thing they are opposed to and these parades only hurt the cause by making all cyclists look more like ridiculous children. instead of this display, times-up should be explaining how livable streets benefit residents and business owners, and doing it in a level-headed and plain-spoken fashion, no costumes or noise-makers.

zincink

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:23:31 -0500

If they were dressed in MIME gear...would it be any different?

JenChungsBra

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:22:13 -0500

Yeah, opinions are sure to be swayed by a bunch of people in clown outfits because, you know, clowns are such sympathetic and lovable characters. Especially ones that look like carnies.

John Del Signore

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:20:56 -0500

So THERE you are, Baby Hitler! We were worried sick! You're wanted here.

GOP

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:16:36 -0500

Say "rally" and the hipster won't show. Say "rally dressed as clowns" and hipsters come out in droves.

lagomorph

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:14:35 -0500

#2: There is a proposed greenway from Greenway to Redhook that has been on the drawing board for a long, long time. I can't remember if Kent is actually part of that greenway or not but people have been trying to get a safe path from north to south brooklyn through for years. There's details here: http://www.brooklyngreenway.org

John Del Signore

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:13:08 -0500

@ Kevin Walsh: Duh, corrected, thanks.

Paris68

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:12:01 -0500

I have to take issue with this so-called "community opposition." If you follow the link above, it takes you to a previous complaint by a Kent Ave resident who couldn't park on Kent when taking her daughter home from the hospital. She gives her address which is a building with its own parking garage and an ample pick-up/drop-off area. Boo-hoo.

peanuthead

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:11:41 -0500

media whores!

babyhitler

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:11:03 -0500

funny how the hasids are all anti-cyclists. anti-semitism bad, huh?

Kevin Walsh

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:09:16 -0500

The hed should read Kent Avenue, not Kent Street, which is a short east-west street in Greenpoint. www.forgotten-ny.com

Armchair_warrior

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 13:00:54 -0500

hasidic areas are worst area to drive to in brooklyn.

Gwinny

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:56:57 -0500

I love the Time's Up Clowns!

Felix Hoenikker

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:51:32 -0500

'Mustache Rides, 5 cents!'

spiritross

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:51:16 -0500

Why doesnt the city build the greenway bike lane through the navy yard along the actual water bypassing Kent south of Division all together that could also begin the process of making the navy yard a historic park like Richmond Town in Staten Island

QM

Wed, 17 Dec 2008 12:49:09 -0500

I met that first guy at one of those roving street parties a few months ago. It doesn't surprise me that he would ride around on a bicycle with clowns.