Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycle Safety

Eyes on the Street: Who Will Protect the Protected Bike Lane From NYPD?

12:00 PM EDT on August 9, 2013

Reader David Holowka sent these photos of NYPD breaking the law and putting cyclists' lives at risk on Eighth Avenue, across from Madison Square Garden near a massive Citi Bike station.

"Here's the scene in front of the Main Post Office this morning," Holowka writes. "I watched several cyclists diverted into car traffic. A nice tragedy and lawsuit against the city in the making!"

Holowka is a regular bike commuter on Eighth and Ninth Avenues, and says police routinely use both protected bike lanes on this block, between 31st and 33rd Streets, "as a rush-hour NYPD parking lot."

"On my commute home, the Ninth Ave. bike lane behind the Post Office is often blocked by NYPD traffic police cars or postal vehicles, despite plenty of room for them to park elsewhere," he writes. "It's done so brazenly as to suggest sanctioning by NYPD."

The photos below were taken on July 3, in the middle of the NYPD bike-ticketing blitz -- when police were blocking bike lanes and issuing criminal charges against cyclists who attempted to ride around their cars. Holowka, who posted some of the pics on his blog, says all four cyclists pictured were "forced into busy vehicle traffic in 40 seconds" by parked and double-parked NYPD vehicles.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

We Have the ‘End of Days’ Flooding Pics You Need Right Now

It's bad out there. How bad? Here is a citywide roundup from our staff ... and our friends on social media.

September 29, 2023

Labor Gains: Judge Tosses App Giants’ Suit to Stop Deliverista Minimum Wage

Justice Nicholas Moyne cleared the way for a long-delayed wage hike for workers who brave dangerous roads to bring food directly to New Yorkers.

September 29, 2023

Fed Up Bronxites Tell Mayor To Forget About Bus Ride Invitation After Fordham Road ‘Betrayal’

"I really would think that our mayor would be a little bit more active and speak with us, because he hasn't really made any time with riders. We're not the enemy. We just want better bus service."

September 29, 2023

City Pays $150K to Settle Suit Over Cops Who Harassed Man Who Reported Police Parking Misconduct

Justin Sherwood and his lawyer will pocket $152,000 to settle his federal civil rights suit against the city and several officers who harassed him following his 311 calls.

September 28, 2023
See all posts