The war on bikes continues
This article comes from nyc indy media and illustrates how the cops are being brainwashed to hate bicycles:
August 08, 2005
'PARTYBIKE' PEDALERS: COPS TRYING TO BREAK OUR CYCLE
The NYPD is pushing the pedalers out of Times Square.
By Michael Kane
[The following is a telling article from the August 7 NY Post about the situation in my workplace. Sound familiar? -WS]
Operators of the Partybike — a circular bicycle built for seven — say they're being unfairly targeted by cops, who've ticketed the big red tourist-mobiles more than 100 times in their 16 months of operation.
"The police say we're clogging traffic and that we're dangerous — but there's no law against riding a bike, any bike, on a city street," said driver Paul Crisci, who personally has been cited 15 times for charges like impeding vehicular traffic, no standing, and disorderly conduct. All of the charges against Partybike have been dismissed in court, he said.
Partybike owner Don Domite said police "harassment" really kicked in after he bought nine new bikes in June, bringing the total to 16.
"The cops want us out of business, and they're singling us out," said Domite, who complains that five of his $11,000 bikes were held as "evidence" for almost three months. "They charged us with vending without a license," he added. "But we're not even required to have one."
Crisci alleges that one cop said to him: "I told you I was gonna get you. I got this bike now, and I'm gonna get all of them."
A police spokesman said he was unaware of any policy to target Partybikes, but added, "We don't just write summonses to write summonses."
Crisci, who is pursuing a civil action, said the final straw came last week, when he was detained for 13 hours on an outstanding-warrant rap that was dismissed.
"I was in a holding cell with violent criminals, drug offenders, you name it," he said. "And one guy actually said, 'So, what are you in for?'
" 'For riding a Partybike,' I answered."
Additional reporting by Philip Messing
August 08, 2005
'PARTYBIKE' PEDALERS: COPS TRYING TO BREAK OUR CYCLE
The NYPD is pushing the pedalers out of Times Square.
By Michael Kane
[The following is a telling article from the August 7 NY Post about the situation in my workplace. Sound familiar? -WS]
Operators of the Partybike — a circular bicycle built for seven — say they're being unfairly targeted by cops, who've ticketed the big red tourist-mobiles more than 100 times in their 16 months of operation.
"The police say we're clogging traffic and that we're dangerous — but there's no law against riding a bike, any bike, on a city street," said driver Paul Crisci, who personally has been cited 15 times for charges like impeding vehicular traffic, no standing, and disorderly conduct. All of the charges against Partybike have been dismissed in court, he said.
Partybike owner Don Domite said police "harassment" really kicked in after he bought nine new bikes in June, bringing the total to 16.
"The cops want us out of business, and they're singling us out," said Domite, who complains that five of his $11,000 bikes were held as "evidence" for almost three months. "They charged us with vending without a license," he added. "But we're not even required to have one."
Crisci alleges that one cop said to him: "I told you I was gonna get you. I got this bike now, and I'm gonna get all of them."
A police spokesman said he was unaware of any policy to target Partybikes, but added, "We don't just write summonses to write summonses."
Crisci, who is pursuing a civil action, said the final straw came last week, when he was detained for 13 hours on an outstanding-warrant rap that was dismissed.
"I was in a holding cell with violent criminals, drug offenders, you name it," he said. "And one guy actually said, 'So, what are you in for?'
" 'For riding a Partybike,' I answered."
Additional reporting by Philip Messing
posted by Michael Green at 11:11 AM
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9 Comments:
Are you serious? This is what you are defending. This is a rolling tourist trap not a bicycle. Imagine trying to negotiate your way through Times Square only to be stuck in the bike lane behind this thing filled with yokals clicking away on their camera phones.
http://www.partybike.com/
I say let them melt it down and build seven descent bikes with it.
I agree, that thing is kind of stupid. But it's a non-polluting kind of stupid, unlike the hundreds of grayline buses that clog our streets escorting fat tourists too lazy to actually explore a neighborhood. Are those buses every regulated through Time's Square? How often does the city flip over backwords when Justin Timberlake visits MTV studios and fans pour out into the street causing more traffic than any critical mass. God forbid some guy wants to have a goofy bike that people can actually excercise on. What a menace to society.
I'd rather ride behind the party bike,than a HUMMER.
dont forget that people need to be able to get around times square to spend their kansas and iowa dollars on trinkets and lard. hopefully the city will get its act together and ban cars at least during peak hours and weekends.
I am actually closely related to Don Domite and I know paul. I am also a friend w/ one of the new owners.
From what ive seen in times square no one dislikes this bike, except for some motorists and cops. It is almost an attraction, Ive seen hundreds of people taking pictures of the Party bike. Ive driven one before and unless these motorists are compete idiots, it shouldnt be to hard to avoid.
I say keep the bike!!!!!!
Biking should be more appreciated!
Fantastic thread!
That's amazing. Biking's fun.
Great website, continue the Excellent work!
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