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

Daily News Exclusive: Woman on Bike Sees De Blasio in Street, Stops

Daily News caption: "A woman riding a Citi Bike south on Broadway nearly plowed into mayoral candidate Bill de Blasio on Thursday morning when he stepped into the bike lane."

Someone should tell Jennifer Fermino that the bikelash is over.

Fermino, who penned the Post's infamous "bike lanes are messing with bus service" story on the eve of Hurricane Sandy, is now City Hall bureau chief at the Daily News. Her breathless take on yesterday's encounter between Bill de Blasio and a cyclist boils down to this: Headed to his vehicle after an event near City Hall, de Blasio stepped into the street, where a woman on a Citi Bike stopped to avoid a collision. Period.

Spun through the Daily News Psycholist-O-Matic, the story becomes: "Bill de Blasio almost got mowed down by a zooming Citi Bike Thursday morning."

Did de Blasio have the right of way, or was the cyclist proceeding lawfully when a pedestrian who happened to be Bill de Blasio walked in front of her? Fermino doesn't bother with such details. Instead, she would have Daily News readers believe that the man who might be the next mayor of New York City was nearly taken out by a middle-aged lady riding a three-speed home from the grocery store.

Also, contrary to the story, a Streetsblog reader pointed out that there is no bike lane on this section of Broadway.

Another Fermino shocker: Even after yesterday's brush with Ms. Whole Foods Hell-on-Wheels, the "unfazed" de Blasio "wants to grow the Citi Bike network to include more stations, and wants to add more bike lanes."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Safety First on Third: DOT Numbers Show a Roadway Safer for All Users

Say it again: Bike lanes make roadways safer for all users.

February 19, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Mayor in a Whirlwind Edition

Mayor Adams will learn more about his fate today. Plus other news.

February 19, 2025

Another View: It’s Time for Residential Parking Permits

So people in the livable streets movement think residential parking permits might actually work. Read on...

February 19, 2025

Analysis: Residential Parking Permits Would Be Bad for City Streets

Congestion pricing isn't driving more people to park Uptown — and even if it did, "hunting licenses" for parking spots wouldn't help.

February 18, 2025

Too Much Illegal Parking Prompts Community Board to Reject New Housing

Even after the city greatly reduced parking mandates in the City of Yes initiative, parking is still at the center of many debates about new housing.

February 18, 2025
See all posts