November 18, 2004

Help Stop Insane Proposed NYC Bicycle Law

I am speechless. I ride my bicycle to work almost every day, and it's the highlight of my day. I would love to do whatever I could to encourage as many New Yorkers as possible to bicycle commute for so many reasons — pollution, traffic congestion, health, to name just the most obvious ones. The bike path all the way down the Hudson River has been a godsend for bike commuters in the city, making it extremely bike friendly (for westsiders, anyway).

But now some crazy-ass City Councilmember, Madeline Provenzano, has proposed a new law, Int. No. 497, that would require all bicyclists to get license plates, apparently believing that with all their "zig-zagging," bycicles are a "danger to the elderly." Riding a bike without a license would subject a rider to up to 15 days in jail, in addition to fines and, of course, bicycle confiscation.

WTF?!?!? Who is this moron?

Thankfully, Transportation Alternatives has enabled a fax campaign by which you can send a piece of your mind to the powers that be. I urge you to take a moment to do so. My mental health depends on it!

More details and links on Gothamist.
Comments

It's an international phenomenon, a worldwide act of anti-pedal oppression. The other day (in Budapest, Hungary) I was stopped on my bike by a policeman. My crime: being on the sidewalk with my bike, while transporting my 2-year-old son in a baby seat, moving slowly and carefully enough to be passed by elderly people in walkers. Given aggressive driving habits in Hungary, I told the cop that it was in consideration of my son's safety that I was trying to stay off the busy, bike trail-less street. He told me my son's safety didn't matter in this instance. This in a city where it is still common for people to park and in some instances drive on pedestrian walkways. ... What is the world coming to.

Posted by: John "I worship Rick" Nadler [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 18, 2004 11:11 PM

i totally understand - and i'm sorry for not being able to help by sending +1 fax :( I love riding the bike to the office too and would be quite irritated if sth similar happened here in Bp. If they happen to pass the law you'd get a license plate right?

Posted by: Gaboca [TypeKey Profile Page] at November 19, 2004 06:43 AM

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