Revenge of the Bedford Bike Lane Activists
Angered over the city’s backroom deal with Hasidic community leaders to remove a 14-block stretch of bicycle lane on Bedford Avenue in South Williamsburg, a group of bike lane proponents took matters into their own hands early Monday morning. Interestingly, a post on StreetsBlog claims that the renegade painters included some members of the Hasidic…
Angered over the city’s backroom deal with Hasidic community leaders to remove a 14-block stretch of bicycle lane on Bedford Avenue in South Williamsburg, a group of bike lane proponents took matters into their own hands early Monday morning. Interestingly, a post on StreetsBlog claims that the renegade painters included some members of the Hasidic community. “Scores of people in the Hasidic community are actually pissed about this bike lane being eradicated at the behest of traditionalists,” said Baruch Herzfeld, a local bike-shop operator and cycling advocate with ties to both the Jewish and secular groups in the area. “These members of the community may not want to ‘come out’ as bike warriors just yet, but they’re promising continuous action until the bike lane returns.”
Hipsters Caught Repainting Bedford Bike Lane [NY Post]
Video: Repainting the Bedford Avenue Bike Lane [NY Daily News]
Guerrilla Stripers Paint Back Bedford Bike Lane [StreetsBlog]
Men Arrested Trying To Repaint Bedford Bike Lane [Gothamist]
A flight of ideas? Yes, thank you very much. I am prone to those- but actually no. It’s how I put things in context.
Posted by: bxgrl at December 8, 2009 2:28 PM
No problems maam you are most welcome.
pierre- I never said it wasn’t factual, and I think it should be pointed out. My point is that some people take it past the point of remarking on how a group uses its clout with politicians and make it a social and cultural reference on said group. “social troglodytes” for example.
A flight of ideas? Yes, thank you very much. I am prone to those- but actually no. It’s how I put things in context.
“Funny thing is –
Taking out this bike lane will NOT keep people from biking up bedford avenue. ”
Well, that is kinda what is funny about all bike lanes everywhere.
All they *really* seem to do is create the potential for more tickets for drivers and possibly give bike riders an inappropriate sense of safety.
Hey DIBS I was agreeing with you no hate there. Visual problems?? Likely. Maybe you should stop relying on those aged and overused occular devices you have and get babefish instead.
I think we’re on the same page here bxgrl–
Though there are plenty of visible and insular communities within BK/ NYC, but few that are as consistently as hostile to secular and cosmopolitan sensibilities.
“Why do they complain about a bike lane and that decision gets reversed and quickly too? That reeks of political corruption and it’s very disturbing!
Every where you look, even in Crown Heights and East New York, there are bike lanes. Why should this area of Williamsburg be any different?”.. sad but true this is the worst form of preferential treatment.
“so, Pierre- what is it when religious groups make politicians deny equal rights to gays? Or throw up obstacles to a woman’s right to an abortion?”
Huh? What is this? A flight of ideas?
bxgrl look, we know (or hope) you agree the reported reason for removal of bike lanes is factual and really disturbing but it seems as if your real issue is it should not be pointed out vigorously! Sorry but that’s just the vibe coming from your very emotional posts….and please this is not meant to be in anyway insulting just calling a spade here.
Funny thing is –
Taking out this bike lane will NOT keep people from biking up bedford avenue.
pierre, I don’t see any hate in that statement. He’s using it as an example of how his reasoning would apply to ANY special interest groupo with an anti-constitutional bent.
perhaps you should get an English-French translator and stop relying on bablefish.
so, Pierre- what is it when religious groups make politicians deny equal rights to gays? Or throw up obstacles to a woman’s right to an abortion? The fact that the Amish behave more admirably doesn’t mean others do. As for Muslims- they also run the gamut from moderate to extremist. But in this country let a Muslim try to ask for anything and the rage of the
patriots” will come down on them. That’s the reality of post- 9/11. All of which is to say, the Hasidic community is not the only group that engages in asking for special dispensation. I don’t like it. I don’t agree with it. And I feel the same way about any other group that does it.