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

The Williamsburg Bike Lane Flap: Beyond “Hipster vs. Hasid”

hasid_pic.jpgWhen the New York Post ran a story last week about the opposition of Williamsburg's Hasidic community to bike lanes that pass through their neighborhood, the main beef was supposedly about the "immodest" dress of female cyclists. But just like similar uproars in years past, the underlying objections may have less to do with bare shoulders than with the mere presence of bikes in the street.

Here's Simon Weiser, a familiar source in these stories, as quoted in the Jerusalem Post:

"The issue with modesty, it's a problem, but we live in New York, you know what I mean?" said Simon Weiser, a community board member who represents the Hasidim.

"My concern is that there are three bike lanesright next to each other and so many children, so many schools, in avery small area. Everyone understands and knows a bike lane is anuisance."

While the Jerusalem Post's headline writers stuck with the irresistible "hipsters versus Hasids" angle, commenter Zvi suggests that the bike lanes are entirely consistent with the teachings of the Talmud, which says that "whoever saves a life, it is considered as if he saved an entire world."

Photo: Brian Branch Price/New York Post

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy ‘Has No Idea’ of NYC in Subway Photo Op with Eric Adams

He's still spreading lies. But this time, he didn't let anyone know where he'd be so he could field questions from friendly reporters and face no pushback from a compliant Mayor Adams.

April 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: It’s the ‘Shithole’ Super Bowl

We hear that U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy will be riding the subway today. Plus other news.

April 4, 2025

Fare Fares: Here’s How Much Outdoor Dining Costs Restaurants

Restaurant owners have to shell out big to serve outdoors.

April 4, 2025

US DOT Doesn’t Want to Fund Road Diets Anymore

The feds will look "unfavorably" on applications that reduce lane capacity for vehicles – despite their congestion and safety benefits.

April 4, 2025

Friday Video: Get Thee to Ghent

Clarence Eckerson revisits the Belgian city — and finds that everything is working exactly as planned.

April 4, 2025
See all posts