Victory

Back in November, when I first blogged about the Henry Street bike lane being blocked every Sunday, by worshipers from the First Presbyterian Church, I was hoping the coverage would shame them to park somewhere legal, or failing that, get the cops to enforce the law — but neither happened.

Talking to the pastor, speaking (repeatedly) with Captain DiPaolo at the 84^th Precinct Community Council Meetings, and calling 311 nearly every weekend, produced no results either. In fact, I was told ‘off-the-record’ that I was tilting at windmills, because the policy of non-enforcement for worshipers came from ‘up above’ (1 Police Plaza).

I kept trying to figure out next steps I could take, what people/groups I could enlist, etc. Nothing panned out, but when I get the bit between my teeth... Besides, I live around the corner, and as summer started and the bike lane saw more use, it irked me every time I saw a cyclist have to swing into traffic to avoid the parked cars.

Then I got a newsletter in the mail from my Joan Millman, my assemblywoman. It highlighted a bill she sponsored, mandating fines for parking in bike lanes. I figured she might be interested.

I called Millman’s office, and spoke with Claire Hudson, her community liaison. She said she’d contact Captain DiPaolo to discuss the situation. I related how I had been blown off by him, but she assured me that she’d find out what was going on.

A few weeks later, Ms. Hudson told me that after speaking with the captain, he had scheduled a meeting to talk with the pastor of the church...and the result (wait for it) — a car-free bike lane! It isn’t a fluke, I waited to see it two weeks in a row. Yes, a few cars do remain, but Ms. Hudson tells me that those are the cars of choir members, and they are “working on that”.

Big thanks to Ms. Hudson, Assemblywoman Millman, Captain DiPaolo, and the First Presbyterian Church.

Comments

[RichErich]

Real Brooklynites never needed Bike lanes.
Buncha wussies you newcomers are!
Ruining streets all over Brooklyn because you don't know how to ride a bike!

[Shawn]

As a Christian I'm appalled by this. Just because you are going to CHURCH it doesn't mean you're allowed to break the law. Especially since bike lanes are created for the safety of the cyclist, much like sidewalks are created for the safety of the pedestrian. If you really want to save the elderly church goers walking step then they should be allowed to park on the sidewalk in front of the church. Clearly by your argument this should be fine.

[RhondaLeeBaby69]

Kevin:
In what way is enforcement of the "no parking in a bike lane" law impeding on one's right to assembly? The Constitution doesn't protect one's right to *easy* free speech or *easy* assembly.

Should churchgoers have the right to park in front of fire hydrants or handicapped spaces on Sundays?

[Trevor Bajus]

Well, I think the obvious compromise is that the cars should be able to park IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD, so that the bike lane stays clear for we cyclists who pay just as much in taxes as the drivers do.

I mean, the people in cars can just drive around the block, or take a different route for a couple hours a week, right?

[fred]

Some strange comments above. Of course Christians (or anyone) should respect the bike lanes and find other parking. Riding a bike in nyc is dangerous enough without the rider being put at further risk by having to detour around bike lane obstructions. How would the congregation feel if a cyclist got hurt while detouring around their illegally parked cars? My compliments to PBK one a job well done.

[PBK]

>Why should the cyclists give up their lane >for cars, but drivers not be asked to >sacrifice equally?

+1

Cheers,
PBK

[cw]

Why don't the other asked to give up their cars for the sake of the elderly church goers? How about the churchgoers park in the lane of traffic? How selfish of the other drivers to want to keep their lanes free.

Why should the cyclists give up their lane for cars, but drivers not be asked to sacrifice equally?

[andrew]

It's ironic to hear the "Christians" calling the blogger obnoxious. What's obnoxious is expecting other people to care that you wish to waste your time going to church.

[Pooch]

Called a lunch break ass-hat. And since you apparently don't pay taxes you should probably STFU until you start.

By the way, I kind of agree with you in this matter except you just come off as an asshole. But I guess that is what it takes to get stuff done; be a whiny, loud mouthed, jagoff until someone acquiesces to you, no matter how petty and insignificant.

Gracias

[PBK]

Kevin,
I jaywalk, so what. If I were to get busted for it, I don't think I can claim a religious exemption.

I really don't thing you understand the 'right to peaceable assembly', as it has nothing to do with this.

No one is stopping anyone from assembling, or going to church.

You just can't park illegally.

[PBK]

Pooch,
No, like you, I surf the web all day. Do you get paid for asking stupid questions? Unfortunately, I don't get paid for answering them.

[Pooch]

Is this your job Peter, a "blogger." Do you even pay taxes in this city to support bike lanes, or whatever stick is up your ass next?

[Kevin U]

PBK, your argument doesn't make sense. Who cares where you pray? We're discussing the ability of people to assemble. The police have made the decision that a few cyclists might have to take a slight detour for a few hours a week so that others can exercise their right to assembly in a way that is *gasp* convenient. It may be illegal. So, PBK, you never jaywalk?

[Eric McClure]

So, the "elderly" can get to their cars, drive to the church, walk up the steps, walk to their pews, but they can't walk from a legal parking space to the church? Then how about the non-elderly members of the congregation provide valet service? Parking in a bike lane is against the law.

[PBK]

Joey,
As a rule, I limit myself to 2 replies to a person, so I'll just conclude by asking,"Where would Jesus park?"

Pray for me.

[Joey Diggs]

Again, blogger, you are truly obnoxious - acting as if the Constitution is forcing you to behave like an ass.

Shame on you for each extra step the elderly must take on their way to CHURCH.

[PBK]

Dear Joey,
Nothing is preventing these people from going to church.

And in this country anyways, spelling 'church' in capital letters doesn't get you some kind of waiver from the Constitution, or laws you don't like.

[PBK]

Kevin,
There is no right the congregation is being denied, except to park illegally.

And as for it favoring this religion - of course it does. What if I am a member of a religion where I pray in my house, or in a park? Do you think the cops will give me a 'pass'?

[Joey Diggs]

How obnoxious of you, blogger. You don't want to give up a bike lane for a few HOURS so people can go to CHURCH?

[PBK]

Aunt,
I suggest you do what I did. Take some video and pics of cyclists having to go around the obstructions.

Contact some local newspapers/blogs. Contact your local elected representative.

Good luck!
Peter

[Aunt Bike]

Parking in bike lanes creates tremendous danger for cyclists. So don't park in bike lanes. It's pretty simple.

Shame on the NYPD for allowing this. I wish I knew what to do about the 120th Precinct in Staten Island using the bike lane in front of their building to park everything from cars to trailers and even dumpsters.

[Kevin U]

I think if one religious group (or anti-religious group) was favored over others there would be an issue, but that is not the issue. Who has argued that Moslems have less right to congregate as Presbyterians? The issue is the sacredness of bike lanes vs. the right of people peacably to assemble.

This idea that cyclists can ONLY travel in marked bike lanes is a bit silly IMO.

The non-enforcement of bike lanes during this short window of time once a week seems to me to be entirely reasonable when weighing the briefly competing interests of (largely elderly) church-goers and (largely younger) cyclists on this short stretch of Henry.

[PBK]

Kevin,
The borough of churches, the borough of mosques, the borough of synagogues, the borough of atheists.

So let me get this straight - the bicyclists, should have to take a different route than the BIKE LANE? Too funny.

Why not let them park in handicapped zones, or fire hydrants? Maybe they shouldn't have to pay for food in restaurants on that day either. All that praying must make them hungry, and we want to encourage prayer.

How about I say, "seems to me you're forcing moms with kids on the back of bikes to navigate a narrow street". Why can't they go to a different church, big deal. And the icy sidewalks - please. This happens every Sunday of the year, no matter the weather.

Democracy has nothing to do with this actually - what it does have to do with is the First Amendment, The bottom line is, people are being allowed to break the law because they happen to have a particular religious belief.

[Kevin U]

I'm a cyclist and side with Joanna on this one. Brooklyn is the borough of churches. Accommodations are made all over the borough for extra parking during weekly services.

Seems to me you're proposing forcing elderly church-goers to traverse several blocks of icy sidewalks in winter to avoid parking in a bike lane near their church. If you feel unsafe riding with traffic on relatively calm Henry on Sunday mornings, then take a different route. Big deal.

America IS a democracy. We encourage people of all faiths to congregate and we make reasonable accomodation to allow them to do so.