2007-11-09 – Bike Lane Clowns – Chelsea Now

Chelsea Now
By Jefferson Siegel
November 9 – 15, 2007

http://chelseanow.com/articles/2007/11/09/chelseanow_archives/20071109-archive8.prt

On Saturday, the Time’s Up! Bicycle Clown Brigade celebrated New York City’s first Copenhagen-style bike lane, on Ninth Avenue between 23rd and 16th Streets, with a Bike Lane Liberation ride.

In the new bike lane, cyclists are physically separated from motor vehicle traffic by a lane of parked cars.

“We applaud the new DOT commissioner’s commitment to improved bicycle infrastructure. Now it is up to the NYPD to enforce the law and keep the bike lanes clear of motor vehicles,” said Time’s Up! spokesperson Judy Ross.

The Bike Lane Liberation ride ended with a celebration on the new Ninth Avenue bike lane at 21st Street, where the brigade cut a ceremonial ribbon and danced. Afterward, they toasted the lane with apple cider in champagne glasses while eating homemade vegan peanut-butter cupcakes with soy chocolate icing.

They held a sign sign reading, “We the Bike Clowns Proclaim the Ninth Avenue lane car-free! Long may it grow and flourish a whole bunch more.”

Their day started with a ride through the Village and Chelsea, where they “ticketed” motor vehicles parked in bike lanes that violated NYC traffic law Section 4-08 (e). The law prohibits parking, standing or stopping in bike lanes and mandates a $115 fine.

The clowns wanted to draw attention to what they believe the NYPD should be doing, which is enforcing the laws that protect bicyclists.