Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Bill Clinton Agrees: Cycling Is Good Citizenship

14409740_306ff1290a.jpgFrom a Streetsblog tipster:

I was riding my usual route home from work, which includes a left turn from Broadway onto 17th St., when I spotted a medium sized crowd outside of the Union Square Barnes & Noble. I remembered that Bill Clinton was scheduled to appear there, and figured it must be him. I turned toward the crowd and was surprised I was allowed to ride right up to it and dismount. As I approached, I spotted that recognizable silver hair and ruddy complexion. He was making his way up and down the crowd, shaking hands. I tried to think of what kind of exchange I might get to have with the former President that would be more meaningful than a handshake. Happily, I remembered that I was displaying on my shoulder bag my banner that reads, "cycling is good citizenship." I held it up over the heads of the admiring crowd for Bill to see it. As he made his way past my spot, I saw him squint a bit to read the sign, and then, he said with a smile and a finger pointed at me, "I agree!"

Photo: dbking/Flickr

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Gov. Hochul’s Uber-Backed Car Insurance ‘Reforms’ Threaten Payouts To Crash Victims

Hochul wants to limit payouts to crash victims under the guise of "affordability" and bogus claims about "staged crashes."

January 14, 2026

Cyclist Badly Injured By Truck Driver at Busy Midtown Corner

The victim may have lost her leg, one witness said.

West Siders: Better Bike Lanes, Not Bans, Will Make Central Park Safer

Central Park needs protected bike lanes at its perimeter and on its transverses to keep non-recreational users out.

January 14, 2026

Not So Fast: Advocates Aren’t Sold on Gov. Hochul’s AV Push

"There is no evidence that autonomous vehicles help us achieve our goals to make our state or city’s streets more people-centered," one group said.

January 14, 2026

Wednesday’s Headlines: Hochul Has Her Say Edition

The "State of the State" is Mamdani — but Hochul is still the governor. Plus more news.

January 14, 2026

Opinion: Stop Asking If People Want to Ride Bikes

"We shouldn’t be aiming to nudge a few percentage points in public opinion. Our goal should be to make freedom of mobility so compelling that people demand it."

January 14, 2026
See all posts