This Week: Talk to NYPD About the Central Park Bike Crackdown

Lots of cycling-related events this week, beginning with tonight’s Central Park Precinct meeting and wrapping up with the TA Bike Shop Blitz. It’s not on the calendar, but also today the city is expected to unveil its plans to improve bus service and pedestrian safety on 34th Street.

• Tonight: The NYPD bike crackdown (known officially as “Operation Safe Cycle”) has been especially pronounced in Central Park, where cyclists are being slapped with summonses for minor infractions whether or not pedestrians are present. Meanwhile, drivers (and police) continue to speed through the park unchecked. Tonight’s Central Park Precinct Council meeting affords a chance to address precinct brass directly. Also tonight: a meeting of the Brooklyn Community Board 10 pedestrian safety committee.
• Wednesday: The transportation committee of Manhattan Community Board 4 will discuss bus legislation and will hear from the MTA on street improvements related to the M16.
• Thursday: On the agenda for the Brooklyn CB 6 transportation and public safety committee: taxi service, next-gen taxi design, and “continued discussion and formulation of a recommendation” to DOT regarding proposed changes to the Prospect Park West bike lane. If you’d like to submit testimony and didn’t have a chance to attend last week’s hearing about the project, you can email your thoughts and ideas to CB 6.
• Friday: Take a ride for Transportation Alternatives — the Bike Shop Blitz ensures city bike shops are well-stocked with TA materials in time for the spring rush. Riders will team up to win TA schwag and more. Materials should be picked up Tuesday (tomorrow) or Wednesday. The Blitz continues on Saturday.

Keep an eye on the calendar for updated listings. Got an event we should know about? Drop us a line.