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Clowns Police Bike Lanes, Picking Up NYPD's Slack
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 16, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 16, 2009
Share
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On Saturday a bunch bike-riding of clowns took to the streets to "liberate" bike lanes from the tyranny of parked and idling automobiles. Affiliated with advocacy group Times-Up!, the festive ride represented a mounting frustration on the part of cyclists who say the NYPD has not been doing enough to keep cars out of bike lanes. During the ride, some two dozen clowns simulated crashing into the backs of vehicles parked in bike lanes, and pleaded with drivers to move out of the way.
Near the intersection of East Houston and Chrystie, there was a tense moment when an NYPD patrol car pulled up alongside the group as they issued one bike lane blocker a fake traffic ticket. For years now, police have been clashing with cyclists who participate in the monthly Critical Mass group rides, and a confrontation seemed imminent on Saturday. But to the clowns' delight, the officer had actually come to order the idling driver to vacate the bike lane! Victory was savored, if only for a moment. Below, a fun video of the event, which culminated in a pie fight in Astor Place.
Times Up! Pie's of March Bicycle Clown Brigade Bike Ride & Pie Fight 2009 w/more froth from Time's Up! on Vimeo.
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bike lane
clown
liberate
ride
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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