January - February 2005

The Five Borough Bicycle Club is dedicated to bicycle recreation and fitness. We are not policy advocates or political activists. I want to be clear about that, because heading into 2005, the very act of riding a bicycle seems to be taking on political and social implications.

Most of us know that on August 27th, 2004, over 200 bicyclists were arrested and over 300 bikes were seized during a Critical Mass ride during the Republican National Convention. The resulting furor may not go away for awhile. There is a continuing legal battle pitting Time’s Up! – the NYC environmental action group that supports Critical Mass – against the City of New York. The controversy has opened debate about how bicyclists help (or hurt) the urban landscape. Even The New York Times piped in with an editorial defending the intent of Critical Mass.

A Bronx member of the New York City Council, Marilyn Provenzano, offers more proof that the environment for cyclists can be hostile. She has introduced legislation that would require license tags for all bicycles ridden by anyone over the age of 16, with stiff penalties (including bicycle confiscation) for those who don’t. And, in conjunction with the Republican convention, the Port Authority of New York/New Jersey has closed down the pedestrian/ bicycle path of the George Washington Bridge from 12:00am to 6:00am indefinitely. Transportation Alternatives has led a campaign against this action focused on both states’ governments to turn this decision around, and 5BBC endorsed those efforts.

On the positive side, things are rapidly improving for bicyclist safety in New York with expanded bike lanes, greenways and bike paths.

Staying apolitical is tough, but we can try to follow the example of Elvis Presley. When he played Madison Square Garden in 1972, a reporter asked The King for his views on the Vietnam War. His response? “I just as soon keep those views to myself, if you don’t mind.”

It’s the same here. That doesn’t mean we should be dispassionate about the sport we love. So when you go out to ride, remember that nothing is a better reflection on bicyclists than being courteous and respectful to motorists and pedestrians, and obeying the traffic laws. Plus, we always have fun on well organized day or weekend rides. It will be the best escape from these highly charged issues during 2005.

See you on the road,
Peter Engel
Newsletter Editor, 2005
newsletter@5BBC.org