Williamsburg, NY – In what some are calling an “effort” by the city to “keep peace,” the predominantly Hasidic area of South Williamsburg has been completely passed over in the placement of bike-sharing kiosks, part of the Citibike program that is set to begin on Monday.
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The NEW YORK DAILY NEWS (http://nydn.us/10U5YAy) reports that the Hasidic community, now referred to by bike enthusiasts as the “Black Hat Black Hole,” has long been hostile towards cyclists.
A city-wide map released by the Citibike program, which features blue logos representing existing bike-share kiosks, and gray logos designating proposed kiosks expected in Phase II of the program, now shows a distinct void in the Sout Williamsburg section.
Community Board 1 member Simon Weiser said the city put the kiosks where bikes will be “used,” and that “no one” rides a bike in the Hasidic community.
A DOT spokesman said that open hostility towards bikes from the Hasidic community had “no” influence in the decision, but that the locations are a “reflection” of neighborhood “input.”
When the City represented the Citibike program to CB1 last summer, most of the non Hasidic members where against it.
There is a lot of people in the City that are against the whole bike Meshugas, not just Hasids., it makes the driving in the city impossible.
Just yesterday the City swooped in Monday night and yanked out part of a bike-share rack blocking the front of a West Village co-op after complaints of residents living around there.
Imagine how crazy it would be if they would have put those bike stations there!!!
Seriously has anybody looked at the rates of renting a bike? It would be cheaper to buy a new, used bike every month off craigslist
Maybe the city should remove all telephone, internet and electricity service from the “Black Hat Black Hole,” chassidic cult area in williamsburg since they are so adverse to living like healthy human beings
I just don’t get it.. no one in the hasidic comunity rides bikes, well this is only in williamsburg not in the rest of the world like Antwerp.. London.. Etc. I wonder why??!!
I live in Williamsburg and i can’t wait fir this bike now come the bad news and btw itsonly 90 a year membership i wane go to work ant to shul with a bike every day, i guess we will have to wait
Maybe the city should stop and think if this is a good use of public money, they are always making to “programs” that most people dont care the benefit.
This article is completely falls.
There is a few bike kiosks in williamsburg you can check it out yourself.
Franklin corner Myrtle
Willoughby corner Walward
And a few more.
I guess to defame the Hasidic community lias is an acceptable method.
This is a stupid decision. There are already a growing number of bikers in the heimeshe neighborhoods of Brooklyn including BP, Flatbush and yes, even Willy. Many frum yidden have discovered how much money they can save by using bikes to take the kids for all their local trips including commuting to yeshiva, shul, grocery shopping, visiting neighbors and going to mikvah. In addition to the money saved by not using a car, there are enormous local benefits to the community in terms of less air pollution, less noise and traffic and the great exercise for all. Frum women have also discovered that they can ride bikes with no concerns about tiznus.
I heard Mark Simone talking about this eyesore this morning and I didn’t understand why. NOW I KNOW!!! Another typical bloomberg mishigas!
I take offence in Simon Weiser’s statement that “no one rides a bike in the Hasidic community”. Speak for yourself Mr Weiser! Yes i agree that biking through bedford ave aint allota fun, between all the cars, crossing pedestrians, not to mention mothers with strollers coming out of nowhere. But i know many people, including myself that own and ride a bicycle 3-4 times a week outside the “crowded” area.
How about we do put these bike posts around our neighborhoods and encourage our neighbors and friends to do something health minded.
Bikes Shmikes- hows about investing in upgrading the mass transportation system in New York
maybe if they put cycle kiosk, people would ride? oh forgot, riding a bike is assaur according to satmar. I wonder if people in the area would want to ban fur, since it offends them, would satmer say, we respect you and will not wear a stremeil in public?
We are Hasidim and we are all united by a shared passion: Bikes.
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