Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bike Lanes

And the “Weiner Award” for Courting the Bikelash Vote Goes to… Bo Dietl

The Republican contest to go up against Mayor Bill de Blasio is barely underway and candidates are already competing to stake out the most retrograde positions on streets and transportation policy.

Assembly Member Nicole Malliotakis recently attacked speed enforcement cameras as "a gimmick to raise revenue," despite evidence that speeding, the leading cause of fatal crashes in NYC, drops dramatically where cameras are deployed.

And ex-cop/Fox News personality Bo Dietl got the "biggest applause by far" at a Wednesday evening Republican forum when he declared he would "rip out bike lanes" and suggested "doing [the] same with Times Square plazas," according to Times reporter J. David Goodman.

The Observer’s Madina Toure reported last night that Dietl said "he’s learning how to drive a bulldozer and would take out the bike lanes if elected."

Apparently, Dietl's hatred of car-free spaces and bike-riding New Yorkers was even more popular with forum attendees than his story about being treated harshly by a judge who "looked like Chirlane de Blasio" (referring to the mayor's wife, Chirlane McCray), which reportedly got laughs from the room. Dietl has spent the day trying to contain the fallout from his Trumpian remarks about McCray.

But a room full of Republican primary voters isn't representative of the NYC electorate. If Dietl's going to go full bikelash, he's out of touch with most New Yorkers there, too. Things tend to not work out well for would-be mayors who pick fights with the all-powerful bike lobby.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Walkable This Way: How Fashionista Derek Guy Became One of the Nation’s Best-Known Urbanists

The menswear icon has used his vast social media platform to wade into another culture war by promoting walkable neighborhoods over the alienating lifestyle of suburban sprawl.

December 8, 2024

Daylight Again! Council Seeks Universal Parking Ban At Intersections

The city will also have to physically protect 1,000 corners from parking each year.

December 6, 2024

Friday Video: Wider Bike Lanes on Second Avenue

The Department of Transportation has made some excellent improvements on the long-dangerous roadway. Check them out.

December 6, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: City of ‘Yes, But’ Edition

The City Council passed Mayor Adams's "City of Yes for Housing" plan by a vote of 31 to 20 on Thursday. Plus more news.

December 6, 2024
See all posts