Advocacy & Safety - Unconfirmed report: Cops seizing bikes in W'burg?

Had a call from a friend tonight...she was warning me about police seizures of chained bikes on Bedford Ave. in Brooklyn. Apparently the police were taking any bikes that were chained to anything that wasn't a bike rack. She said that when she talked to the cops, they said they'd be doing this in both brooklyn and manhattan. so all you outside-lockers, be careful I guess. If she sends pictures or more info I'll pass them along.

I have heard www.untitledname.com has pics of said seizures, but his site will not load for me.

well, with apologies to them, then:

ahh my man, injustice in action.

Wow, bike thieves with some authentic looking clothing and a big saw could have a field day.

Why is this being done? On the website that was linked to it said that locking up bikes in those spots is leagal. So either that website is wrong, or this is some special case. I can see a serious legal battle erupting over this, that is, if any of those bicycle owners have the resources to do so.

Blam. You guys posted my own flicks before I could! Good work.

I was meeting a dude there for a craigslist-handlebar-transaction when I rolled up on this. So glad I had my camera.

http://www.untitledname.com/archives/2005/10/nypd_bicycle_th.html

Wow, bike thieves with some authentic looking clothing and a big saw could have a field day.

Why is this being done? On the website that was linked to it said that locking up bikes in those spots is leagal. So either that website is wrong, or this is some special case. I can see a serious legal battle erupting over this, that is, if any of those bicycle owners have the resources to do so.

There's an image of a police pamphlet regarding locking to public objects here: http://nyc.indymedia.org/en/2005/10/58139.html

There was already a court ruling about police seizing bicycles like this (related to Critical Mass). The judge ruled it illegal, but it's obviously persisting.

wtf, absolutely ridiculous
please join transalt and write your city councilmember!

http://www.transalt.org/e-bulletin/2005/Oct/1003.html#lock

Bad men.

william, you are my hero.

I wonder why they don't saw off the locks and tow away every illegaly parked car/truck/van they come across? [/sarcasm]

That's f**ked up , I knew they'd find a way to get to bike riders .DAMMIT

I wonder why they don't saw off the locks and tow away every illegaly parked car/truck/van they come across? [/sarcasm]
Acually, NYC makes alot of money doing exactly that. (ticket + towing + impound fees = alot of money)

This is probably a police "in your face action" to the above mentioned CM court case. Most likely to show that next time they do it at CM, they can say they do it as a routine enforcement action, rather than just targeting CMers.

- has anyone considered a pertinent reason for the removal of the bikes?

- hmm???

Why does NYC hate bicycles?

Why does NYC hate bicycles?


Fascism. Just a guess.

Why does NYC hate bicycles?

******* mayor, ******* cops...

- has anyone considered a pertinent reason for the removal of the bikes?

- hmm???

Stepped up security because of the Jewish holidays. The sections of NYC, were the bikes are being removed, are heavily Jewish.

symbols of a dangerous counter culture always attract police attention

soooooooo wrong. They need to have take the same action on SUVs

wtf? Is it technically illegal to lock up to sign posts? First time I rode to court I actually asked a cop at the entrance where to lock up cause I never have found out that answer and he just said use any signpost. An official voice saying its ok, but that doesn't exactly mean its legal.. If it is illegal though NY better start installing a whole lot more bike racks!

We should all send some junker bikes and chain up to NYC for the poeple up there to chain and abandon. I guess that the power-order wants to force more biker-nonbiker conflicts with businesses and employers. Could be a "liability" justification, but is so that would likely only be an excuse.

So what about making the city put in more bike racks?

Stepped up security because of the Jewish holidays. The sections of NYC, were the bikes are being removed, are heavily Jewish.
I don't know, bedford ave by the L has pretty much turned hipster. and if they were concerned about bike bombs, would they be going at them w/spark throwing angle grinders?

& speaking as a resident of an area bordering two majority-jewish neighborhoods, the stepped up security the NYPD deploys on jewish holidays mostly consists of some sawhorses and an empty squad car parked in front of the synagogue, and maybe a couple of officers standing outside during services.

******* mayor, ******* cops...

Also, by Police Plaza, at least the Chinatown end, there are 30 or so delivery bikes on like 5 or 6 signposts. I would guess the reason they are cutting locks on Bedford is just because it is hipster.

I just saw an ad for the Mayor, there is one shot with two actors on bikes, which is an arrestible offense, at least sometimes.

Also, by Police Plaza, at least the Chinatown end, there are 30 or so delivery bikes on like 5 or 6 signposts. I would guess the reason they are cutting locks on Bedford is just because it is hipster.
also, kelly & the boys will turn a blind eye for fast free delivery of their moo shu pork lunch specials.

http://nyc.indymedia.org/images/2005/10/58147.jpg

Anybody know whose bikes these were?

This is clearly outrageous. There's no way we can let them get away with moves like this. It makes me want to protest. We can all lock our bikes together across the steps of city hall or around the entrance to 1 police plaza.

I would go for city hall, Police Plaza is conveniently out of the way of tourists and the press. When we do jail support down there, I feel like we could disappear without a trace.

http://nyc.indymedia.org/images/2005/10/58147.jpg

whoa. is that a legit document? says clearly to lock bikes to signs, polls, etc. what the hell??

there are enough bike racks for about 1% of the people, there is no other choice but to lock bikes in this manner.

Scarry-- that's a great find!

Seems like the police are making up the law, not enforcing it.

I found this too:

http://www.bikeny.org/press/releases/041203abandoned_bicycles_report.pdf

The Need for Sensible Outdoor Bike Parking Policies in NYC
With only one bicycle rack for every thirty-three bicycle riders, New York’s bike riders must use other objects to secure their bicycles, such as street signposts, lampposts, parking meters, subway entrances, fences, and, unfortunately, trees. There is no City or State law that prohibits or affirms people’s right to lock their bicycles to public street fixtures. According to State Vehicle and Traffic Law, one may not alter, deface, injure, knock down, cover, remove, or otherwise interfere with the operation of public traffic signals and signs and other highway appurtenances. It is against New York City law to lock a bicycle to a tree because the bicycle and lock could harm and potentially kill the tree. Locking to non-bike rack fixtures is not ideal, but due to the lack of City-installed racks, it is often the only viable option.