Brooklyn, NY – In an effort to protect all pedestrians, particularly senior citizens and mothers pushing strollers, Assemblyman Dov Hikind (D-Brooklyn) is calling on the community to help keep bicyclists off the sidewalk because they pose a serious danger.
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Joining Hikind in this endeavor are the 66th Precinct and the Boro Park Shomrim. Hikind met with both the 66th Precinct’s Commanding Officer John Sprague and Coordinator of the Boro Park Shomrim Jacob Daskal last week about this increasingly growing problem.
According to the New York City Traffic Rules and Regulations §407 (c)(3) and Administrative Code §19-176, it is illegal to ride on the sidewalk unless a sign allows for it or the wheels are less than 26 inches in diameter, and the rider is less than 12 years old. Bicycles ridden on the sidewalk may be confiscated and riders may be subject to legal penalties.
“This is all about education,” said Hikind. “I want those who would ordinarily ride their bike on the sidewalk to think twice before they do it. I have personally met several seniors who were knocked down on the sidewalk by a passing bicyclist. They suffered broken hips and had to spend months in recovery in the hospital and rehab. An elderly person simply cannot get out of the way in time to avoid being hit by a speeding bicyclist.”
Hikind stressed he is not referring to children who ride their bikes on the sidewalk, and added, “A bicycle is a dangerous weapon when it is misused. The police will confiscate bikes that endanger residents in our community.”
Officers are permitted to issue tickets to those found riding illegally on sidewalks. Hikind has begun reaching out to local store owners and managers to advise them of the law and let them know that their delivery personnel will also be subject to enforcement. “If I can prevent even one person from being injured by enforcing the law, it will be worth it,” Hikind reflected.
Hopefully Mr. Hikinds words will not fall on deaf ears. The police should not hesitate giving out tickets for violators of the law ( which is already in place). On several occassions I have almost been knocked over by adults riding on the sidewalk. The last time this happened I yelled at the fellow to did this…I don’t know exactly what he said as never slowed down, although I suspect it may have not been printable here.
A better idea to implement is simply to impound the bicycle. Even where there are designated bike lanes (Ocean Parkway), the bikers ride by moms walking with strollers and young children with frightening speed.
They cannot ride properly either on the sidewalk or the road!! They do not look where they are going!!
The 66th Precinct is NOT enforcing this law. There are always bicyclists in the pedestrian mall on Ocean Parkway as well as the sidewalks on all the other streets. I have never seen anyone get a ticket for it.
Joining Hikind in this endeavor are the 66th Precinct and the Boro Park Shomrim. Hikind met with both the 66th Precinct’s Commanding Officer John Sprague and Coordinator of the Boro Park Shomrim Jacob Daskal last week about this increasingly growing problem.
Dov once you are talking to the 66th Precinct’s Commanding Officer John Sprague why don’t you tell him to give tickets to the people who pass school buses with the red lights flashing . If this is done , then we won’t have to worry about school buses crossing the yellow line when they pick up the kids which is also against the law. all you have to do is check the drivers manual which tells you the rules of the road.
Mr Hikind it goes both ways. If you make the streets safer for bikers they will be happy to stay off the sidewalks. How about starting by educating the public to look before they swing open their car doors. Getting doored is every bikers worst nightmare. It happened to me and I am lucky to be alive with only a broken shoulder. We could also talk about reckless drivers and careless drivers and especially the evil doers who talk and text while driving. Yes I said evil doers – Reshaim Gemurim. I would surmise that people who talk on their cell phones while driving including cops, are a much bigger danger to the public then bikers. As a pedestrian in Flatbush I have never encountered a dangerous biker but I have been nearly run down numerous times by driver s who are talking on their cell phones. One more suggestion. Keep the cars out of Prospect Park. their is no need for cars to go through the park. It is faster to go around the park and not have to wait for all the lights.
i hope this gets enforced at least as much as cars driving in bike lanes.
better idea. why not start walking in bike lanes. there’s nothing illegal, as far as i’m aware of. i always walk on the unofficial bike lane on bedford avenue. of course, bikers course the daylight out of themselves but i’m glad that their uncomfortable to ride down bedford avenue. there are more than enough other bike paths for them to take.
Just put a stick in the wheel of riding bike and than apologize
what about all double parked cars and trucks that block the way of the bikes which try to ride on the street????
I was bumped in to twice and my back tire bent because i had to go around a car and cars didn’t want to let me go around!!!
Unfortunately, the police ignore these violators. I applaud Dov for his efforts but he needs to get the police on board.
“If I can prevent even one person from being injured by enforcing the law, it will be worth it,” Hikind reflected.”
I wonder what he’ll say Chas Ve’shulem after a 14 year old Bucher gets knocked down by a car, cause he had to ride on the road…
I drove my bike daily to yeshiva in Boro Park – Riding on the road is no less dangerous!!!
Rather start an effective campaign that bike riders drive safely and pass slowly.
Sorry, Mr. Hikind – I tend to agree with you on most issues, but this is a BAD BAD idea.
I can bet you he’ll never be able to forgive himself IF Chas Ve’shulem a rider dies as a result from this. I think parents need to get together and stop this before… And we do know accidents happen, don’t try to fix a problem by creating a greater one.
Its more dangerous to drive a bike on this narrow bp streets
i drive a bike and “only” on the side walk i had a few times almost accidents when i went on the street. If there is a bike lane he has a point but as long there isnt he shouldnt ask
To #4 The 70th pct does not enforce the law either.
Best idea would be if hikind can keep Bloomy of NYC we would have no cyclist problems.
Not to worry my friends. When the cops come to give the ticket they’ll simply pull out their rolodex of PBA cards or show their Hatzalah credentials or call their friend or tell the cop who they’re friends with and if the cop wants to keep his job they won’t write the summons. I say oy l’rasha, oy l’scheino.
On Avenue J and Coney Island Avenue it’s mostly Yungerleit and Mexicans trying to mow you down on the sidewalk.
Mr. Hikind, while I applaud you and your efforts in many factors of your office, I have to tell you that I don’t totally agree with what you are doing. Riding on the sidewalk can be dangerous for some people, but did you stop and think how dangerous it is for bicyclists to ride in the street? Double parking, opening doors without looking to see who is behind you being some of the reasons that make it dangerous to ride in the street. How about a blitzed out effort by the 66th to ticket double parkers (delivery trucks included)–no holds barred!! THAT would make it safer for people with baby carriages, for kids crossing the streets, for the elderly who need a little more time AND for the bicyclists to ride on the street. It would also make it safer for those of us who drive the roller coasters they call 13th Ave and 14th Ave. All this being said, Mr Hikind, thank you for standing up for Yidden –we really do appreciate your efforts.
Kol HaKavod to Mr. Hikind. Adult cyclists on sidewalks should never be allowed. Why should old people suffer from these idiots?
Next go after the double parkers who are just running into the store for a MINUTE. To hell with everyone else.
I use my bike very often so I won’t lose my parking spot in Brooklyn. The worst drivers in the world drive in Brooklyn (mostly new drivers from the third world countries). I will only ride my bike on the sidewalk I don’t want to get killed. As a car driver myself I am very careful when I ride my bike on the side walk. So a pedestrian has nothing to fear from me. They give out driver licenses too easily. The car service drivers can’t even stay in their lane most of the time. Brooklyn is too crowed and that is the main problem.
More bike riders get killed from cars then pedestrians from bike riders. I usually agree with dov but obviously he has never driven a bike in Brooklyn for a long long time.
I wanna see if i will drive my bike in middle of the streets in bp like all the cars what people will say? And what about going in front of dov hikinds car and drive a few blocks in front of him.
One thing i wanna tell you mr. Hikind find yourself better laws and find yourself a better place to make these laws. Bikes cannot drive on the street in boro park its extremely dangerous.
So be quiet be happy you have money to buy a car but i dont have money ro buy a car I bought a bike with my few extra pennies i had.
Thanks for understanding!!
We wanna see you driving a bike and afterwards youll have a word.
Just how much more petty-minded, spiteful, bad tempered, cantankerous and unreasonable can Booky #9 , ad Benny #10 , possibly become?
For the record I am not, nor have I ever been, a bicycle rider.