Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
Clowns Police Bike Lanes, Picking Up NYPD's Slack
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 16, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
View all 6
By
John Del Signore
Published Mar 16, 2009
Modified Mar 16, 2009
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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.
Tagged
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.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Inside the hidden chamber that controls Lincoln Center's magnificent fountain
Gothamist went behind the scenes to learn how the NYC landmark keeps its majestic waters flowing.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Oct 23, 2026
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
Arts & Entertainment
In the algorithm age, NYC college radio DJs are still broadcasting the funky stuff
We dropped by WNYU to see what the next generation of radio DJs is up to. The answer is "Br00tal Beats To Study/Relax To."
By
James Ramsay
A Queens prop shop shutters, bunnies find a home uptown, and more openings and closings
By
Hannah Frishberg
A new film invites you to eavesdrop on one of the greatest conversations in NYC history
By
Sonia Rao
The Knicks are NBA champions. Now they have to start dressing the part.
By
Sonia Rao
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .