4.01.2008

Fixed Gears Illegal in NYC

picture from the NYPD stealing bikes in the East Village last Fall I just got pulled by a cop on Delancey, who took my bike and put it in the back of a van. Told me "these kinds of bikes are illegal now even with a brake". He was polite about it; even though it was an asshole thing to do. I kept asking him when this law was passed and how they planned on dealing with Williamsburg. He snickered and said "We went around to bars and loft buildings last night, cutting them down". There ya have it. The NYPD's recent anti-bicycle rampage has come to fruition. I had to walk 12 blocks to my office this morning. Now I have a slip and a court date. The cop didn't even care that I had just bought a bell too! What the hell is wrong with NYC? Must be April fools... suckers!

18 comments:

Kristopher said...

WTF!!!!

THAT'S SOME F**KING BULLSHAT IF YOU ASK ME!!

Burd said...

Wow. That's unbelievably shitty. Are you going to be able to get your rig back?

Prolly said...

Well when the NYPD does this to other bikes, you have to go to the impound lot in Red Hook and provide proof of ownership.

I have the SN written down, but I don't have a good feeling about this. It looked like they just set up camp at the base of the bridge, got people to stop and began taking the people's bikes that were riding fixed gears.

Niki said...

Ncevy Sbbyf!

Rot13ed for extra security.

Neil MacLean said...

WTF! Still a police state even after Giuliani huh?

Burd said...

Prolly, if you get a chance when you're in court (if you end up going), can you ask them for full documentation of the new law that was passed? Or at least get the bill info or whatever so we can look it up... it would be really interesting to read through that...

Anonymous said...

I hope this is an april fools post - that shit is CRAZY.

Anonymous said...

i heard about a possible addendum whereby they only confiscate bikes that have been bastardized. basically, bikes that have been ruined by their owner. see velospace for examples, or go to san francisco...profiling will include: pink phil wood hubs,spoke cards, aerospokes, risers, spacers, oury grips, grip wide straight bars, etc...

Anonymous said...

looks like the perfect opportunity to start up my Faux Derailleur Manufacturing Plant ;P

what a crock

Burd said...

Ah ha ha... dood, totally got nailed by the April Fool's thing. Nice one, Prolly ;)

Anonymous said...

Wow, I mean this is such terrible news to hear on april 1st!?

I like how some of the bikes in that aren't fixed.

You can contact me if you need a dope shop artist.

Anonymous said...

It's true. Most people only read the headlines and not the story. 6 people taken!

Funny regardless.

Unknown said...

duh...

erik k said...

haha, good one prolly. If they told me fixed gear bikes were not illegal I would just break the chain, and kick and coast the whole way home, stopping ted shred style

Neil MacLean said...

got me. I always forget what day it is..very convincing.

Dave Pickett said...

damn you, you got me good...

Anonymous said...

jso you didn't really get your bike taken? ...bc i wound't be surprised...i checked the law..i didn't know riding w/o a brake and a bell is illegal.

Anonymous said...

Funny eh... they are illegal over here in Australia!