Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Passive-Aggressive Note Left On Parked Car Sets New Record For Cyclist Whining
By
Lauren Evans
Published Sep 26, 2013
Modified Sep 27, 2013
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 .
Via Chris
By
Lauren Evans
Published Sep 26, 2013
Modified Sep 27, 2013
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
If you're looking for fuel for a bad mood, hop on a bicycle and and take a ride through the city's bike lanes, resolving to battle anything not on two wheels that threatens your journey. Within blocks, you'll find you've shouted obscenities at all sorts of things: Toddlers, pets, piles of leaves, and lots and lots and lots of cars.
On a normal day, though, it's necessary to choose your battles. A tipster sent us this photo of an SUV, Size XL, parked moronically on 91st Street between Park and Lexington avenues, undoubtedly while its owner was draped on a crowded train somewhere, spreading his legs into cramped innocents. While bad parkers should of course be summarily executed frowned upon, this slight brush with the edge of a bike lane is not even close to the most egregious offense a person will encounter while riding.
But change occurs slowly, one petulant note at a time, or so one fed up neighbor apparently decided on Tuesday when he or she placed the following note in the Lincoln PathCrusher's window. "Dear Driver," it reads "PLEASE pull your vehicle closer to the curb! It is way too big to be half-way out in the bike lane and a foot from the curb!" Note the exclamation points, Official Punctuation of the Passive Aggressive.
Via Chris
As pleasant as the note was, knowing your audience is an essential element in successful communication. The real bad-ass here was the person who, realizing the message would never be interpreted as intended, stepped in to translate. "Learn how to park bitch!!!!" it blares. Now we're cooking with gas!
Our tipster tells us that though the car was still parked in the same space this morning, note still attached, its wheels were no longer jutting ever so slightly into the edge of the bike lane. Progress, bitch.
Tagged
bad parking
bike lanes
cycling
cycling etiquette
parking
Lauren Evans
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Parents grumble as NYC schools chancellor dodges calls for NYC schools integration plan
Journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones said she felt disappointed by the lack of details.
By
Jessica Gould
Published Oct 20, 2026 at 10:01 p.m. ET
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
News
Driver found with apparent gunshot wound on George Washington Bridge, officials say
The westbound upper level was closed Tuesday night as Port Authority police investigated the incident.
By
Charles Lane
16 arrested in New York auto insurance fraud crackdown involving nearly $500K
By
Giulia Heyward
Coney Island's small, 1890s lighthouse may be landmarked by the city
By
Catalina Gonella
New renderings are out for Queens' Metropolitan Park casino
By
Willow Higgins
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 .