After reports that two people were arrested re-striping bike lanes on Bedford Avenue, comes news that no arrests were in fact made. Only summonses were issued to the group, which included “both secular Williamsburg residents and members of the Hasidic community,” according to local bike shop owner and advocate Baruch Herzfeld.
“Scores of people in the Hasidic community are actually pissed about this bike lane being eradicated at the behest of traditionalists,” Herzfeld tells Streetsblog, noting that “they’re promising continuous action until the bike lane returns.” This message is echoed in footage, posted of last night, of the activists repainting the recently removed bike lane.
We are New York City bicyclists, and our message is clear: Don’t take away our bike lanes. We use this stretch of Bedford Avenue because it is a direct route to the Williamsburg Bridge. We will continue to use it whether or not there is a bike lane there, but not having one puts us at greater risk from cars. That’s why bike lanes exist—for safety. Do not try to remove them, or we will put them back for our own safety.
Hasidim? Don't you mean "The Taliban?" Oh right, Bucky didn't write this…
to those involved…thank you, great job.
I use to hate these hacks (cyclists), mostly because of a few who ran lights and almost purposely caused accidents. But, whomever stands up for themselves and for what they believe to be right, deserves some sort of respect.
Lol, this is ridicoulous. Clearly I can tell these folks ain't real new yorkers. Shout outs to the xmen and the rest of the bikers that know no boundaries, who aren't worried about no bike lanes or safety lanes. Those who ride freely. Peace.
The Hasidic community is trying to guard their Sabath, [Shabat] but for the safety of cyclists, it's better to preserve life, than to be obsessive about the law. It's a bad witness to the world, when Hasids disregard the safety of the Goyim [Nations, ie anyone other than Jews] so a bike lane, especially a direct route, is vital and has to be allowed to pass through, because we Jews never live in a vacuum and are commanded to be "a light unto the nations".