Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Cyclist Assaulted On Hudson River Bike Path, Pedestrian Arrested
By
John Del Signore
Published May 16, 2011
Modified May 16, 2011
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 .
By
John Del Signore
Published May 16, 2011
Modified May 16, 2011
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
An artist and CUNY professor who was participating in a group bike ride along the Hudson River Greenway was allegedly kicked off his bike by a pedestrian Thursday evening around 7:30 p.m. Michael Mandiberg, 33, was treated at Manhattan hospital for bruising, cuts, abrasions and injuries to his shoulder and ankle. Reached by phone in Brooklyn, Mandiberg tells us, "A group of us were riding up the west side highway and a pedestrian unprovoked and clearly intentionally kicked out my front wheel causing me to fall. A cop came about 30 minutes later and he was arrested." Is this the inevitable result of the NYC bikelash, or just a random jerk?
The incident, first reported on Streetsblog, happened near 24th Street. Mandiberg tells us he doesn't know what provoked the unidentified assailant, saying, "When senseless violence happens it's senseless." But one witness commenting on Streetsblog gives this account:
I can attest that the assault was related to the fact that Michael was on a bike. I was just two bike lengths behind the whole thing. A few of us were all on a #bikenyc tweetup ride with the Bikehugger crew in town cruising slowly up the Greenway, there was never any danger to this guy as he entered the first stripe of the crosswalk, bikes alerted him (he was not looking, w/ noise canceling headphones on), bikes slowed a bit and moved away from him Michael saying 'yo!', he said "no!", Michael said "yo!" again, then this (large) guy yelled "no!" again while kicking out his rear tire very forcefully. It was shocking and seemingly in slow motion since we were riding at such a casual pace. However anomalous, a clear assault, directly related to Mike being on a bike.
Mandiberg tells us the man stayed at the scene because the other cyclists warned him that if he left he'd be fleeing a crime scene. According to Mandiberg, he was ultimately charged with misdemeanor assault. After the incident, cyclist advocate DL Byron, a.k.a. Bike Hugger, stayed and took these photos; while waiting for the cops to arrive, he tweeted, "The bike backlash in NYC we've heard about just happened."
Tagged
bikelash
cyclist
hudson river greenway
Michael Mandiberg
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 news
Early Addition: Some NYC workers got up extremely early to commute from the Poconos
Because more city workers are living out there because it's affordable, here are your early links: Santacon returning under new management, New Jersey kids are learning cursive and loving it, Forest Hills Stadium cutting back and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 22, 2026 at 8:54 a.m. ET
Mamdani-backed housing bill will give nonprofits head start on buying NYC apartments
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act has long been a goal of tenant advocates, but has faced fierce opposition from the real estate industry.
By
David Brand
News
Mamdani-backed housing bill will give nonprofits head start on buying NYC apartments
The Community Opportunity to Purchase Act has long been a goal of tenant advocates, but has faced fierce opposition from the real estate industry.
By
David Brand
Fatal motorcycle crash on George Washington Bridge disrupts morning commute
By
Michael Sol Warren
Ballot questions ask NYC voters whether to cut red tape on outdoor dining, bike lanes
By
Walter Wuthmann
The NYPD arrested a mom and took her kids' Christmas gifts. She never got them back.
By
Samantha Max
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 .