Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Ninth Avenue, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/miller_stephen/status/486552074276986881/photo/1##Stephen Miller##
Ninth Avenue, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: Stephen Miller
Ninth Avenue, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/miller_stephen/status/486552074276986881/photo/1##Stephen Miller##

We're seeing a lot of photos this week of police parked in bike lanes. Fortunately, there is something cyclists can do about it in addition to submitting documentation to Cops in Bike Lanes.

Blocking a lane is not merely a sign of disrespect on the the part of NYPD. It's illegal, and it poses a risk to people on bikes who are forced into auto traffic (and are sometimes ticketed for their trouble).

DNAinfo reported this week that NYPD plans to open Twitter accounts for all precincts. This will make it easier to complain directly (and publicly) to NYPD about police in bike lanes.

If you can make the time, you can also speak face to face with commanding officers via precinct community councils. Every precinct has a community council, and meeting info is posted on each precinct's web page. NYPD has a precinct locator if you're not sure which jurisdiction applies. NYPD may often come across as a big blue wall, but local officers do respond when people show up to speak with them.

Eighth Avenue, outside Penn Station, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/joseapie/status/486872878114430977/photo/1##@joseapie##
Eighth Avenue, outside Penn Station, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: @joseapie
Eighth Avenue, outside Penn Station, Midtown South Precinct. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/joseapie/status/486872878114430977/photo/1##@joseapie##

One of the photos in this post was taken in the 6th Precinct, and two in Midtown South, where police regularly take over the bike lane outside Penn Station, within feet of a huge Citi Bike dock.

Inspector Edward J. Winski is the commanding officer for Midtown South. The Midtown South community council meets on the third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m at the New Yorker Hotel, 481 Eighth Ave. The community affairs phone number is 212-239-9846.

The 6th Precinct CO is Inspector Elisa A. Cokkinos. The community council meets on the last Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at 25 Carmine St. The community affairs phone number is 212-741-4826.

Washington Square North, 6th Precinct. Photo: ##http://instagram.com/p/qM2fIMIZma/##jennifergolby/Instagram##
Washington Square North, 6th Precinct. Photo: jennifergolby/Instagram
Washington Square North, 6th Precinct. Photo: ##http://instagram.com/p/qM2fIMIZma/##jennifergolby/Instagram##

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts