New York cops ticketing people for not riding in a bike lane

[cornholio's RC200]

This is quite an amusing (although potentially serious) little piece on the attitude of New York cops. Enjoy

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/b ... -bike-lane

 

[computerbitz]

seen this today was just about to link funny i thought

 

[technodup]

Bike lanes are pointless. I'm definitely one of those cyclists that drivers hate.

 

[rosstheboss]

The video makes a fair point but it's the from the usual 'victim cyclist ' perspective and more than a little contrived - put it to the general public and see how many people moan about cyclists jumping red lights etc.

It seems strange that there don't seem to be as many videos made by car drivers or pedestrians of cyclists being d'heads or do they not get in the papers?!?

 

[Neil]

The video makes a fair point but it's the from the usual 'victim cyclist ' perspective and more than a little contrived - put it to the general public and see how many people moan about cyclists jumping red lights etc.

Ah, so it's more about the messenger than the message, then?

You concede it's a fair point, after all.

Not sure of the legal situation in the states, but it would be more than a fair point in the UK. Pedestrians and cyclists (and I suppose horse riders) are the only road users that actually have a right to be on them - drivers merely are conditionally allowed to.

It seems strange that there don't seem to be as many videos made by car drivers or pedestrians of cyclists being d'heads or do they not get in the papers?!?

Well it's trendy to have a go at cyclists (see, Clarkson does it...), plus cyclists are probably more vulnerable than other road users.

And with loads mithering and bothering about cycle paths, having to pay road tax, and cyclists (although valid and legal traffic) being in their way, it's no wonder many feel marginalised.

Of course, I suspect there's proportionally just as many idiotic cyclists as there are idiotic pedestrians or idiotic motorists.

 

[rosstheboss]

Of course, I suspect there's proportionally just as many idiotic cyclists as there are idiotic pedestrians or idiotic motorists.

You've hit the nail on the head here, which is the point I was trying to make, albeit not very well!
I have nothing against cyclists (I am one after all!) but the number of smug cyclists posting these sort of videos is making for a very one sided argument.
He claims that not riding in the bike lane is safer, then why, if he's so concerned about his safety, is he not wearing a helmet or any hi viz clothing?
If you're going to go to the worlds press, do it properly! People have a low enough opinion of cyclists at the best of times, let alone winding policemen up (which seems to be a theme with these videos!)

 

[Neil]

Of course, I suspect there's proportionally just as many idiotic cyclists as there are idiotic pedestrians or idiotic motorists.

You've hit the nail on the head here, which is the point I was trying to make, albeit not very well!
I have nothing against cyclists (I am one after all!) but the number of smug cyclists posting these sort of videos is making for a very one sided argument.

Don't get me wrong - I do see your point - there's rarely any camera footage from other roads users, showing cyclists jumping red lights, or having near misses with pedestrians.

But at least from a vehicle drivers perspective, beyond annoyance, and possibly minor bodywork damage - there's little to feel threatened or vulnerable about, when driving around in a vehicle, compared with cyclists.

He claims that not riding in the bike lane is safer, then why, if he's so concerned about his safety, is he not wearing a helmet or any hi viz clothing?
If you're going to go to the worlds press, do it properly! People have a low enough opinion of cyclists at the best of times, let alone winding policemen up (which seems to be a theme with these videos!)

I'd agree with the general low, or increasingly low opinion most people seem to have about cyclists - and accept, some far from help themselves.

I think on the same web page as this footage, though, was a call-in show with the cyclist, and there was somebody (presumably with accurate legal knowledge) actually said there's no legal problem with a cyclist not using the cycle lane, so the ticket was bogus anyway - with that in mind, you can see at least some of his point - I think even in the video when the cop is ticketing him, he points up the road to somebody blocking the lane.

 

[sylus]

Whilst the message is correct

I do fee this vid is more about the militant biker going to find things wrong to make himself look like a hero instant of a anal plonker