For an update on the disgusting story of the NYPD officer that body-checked a cyclist that I wrote about last week, head on over to Gothamist, where they discuss how city council members are urging a much needed investigation into the recent harassment of cyclists by the police.

Here’s an excerpt from the letter that the council members wrote:

There has been a history of police harassment of cyclists, especially during the monthly Manhattan Critical Mass group bicycle ride. Most often, these attacks are unprovoked and aggressive, and the behavior of police towards cyclists is anything but the courtesy, professionalism, and respect on which NYPD prides itself. The recent incident involving Mr. Long is a particularly disturbing example of the NYPD’s attitude towards cyclists, one that happened to be caught on video tape.

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There’s an awful, yet important video, making it’s way around the internet right now that features a NYPD officer body-slamming a cyclist off of their bike during the last Critical Mass. The cop is claiming that that the rider, 29 year old Christopher Long, rode into him - the video would seem to suggest otherwise:

What do you think? In a surprising turn of events, action is actually being taken against the cop and he was stripped of his gun and badge pending an investigation. Although it is quite disturbing that Long was bruised, arrested for attempted assault, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct and spent 26 hours in jail.

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I don’t know about the rest of the country, but summer sit NYC like a ton of bricks this past weekend. With temperatures in the mid 90’s many of us were thrown off guard. But that’s OK, it just means time for new activities - like going to the beach and riding bikes. Here’s a video I made about a year ago in Mentor OH in and around Lake Erie (to one of my favorite songs, Antony and the Johnsons Bird Gerhl) that deals with both and is I think, a good welcome mat for summer:

On a serious note though, bikes are a great travel alternative that help the environment and also yourself (get in shape!)

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About a year ago New York City’s Critical Mass, a group that supports riding bicycles as an alternate mode of transportation in our gas guzzling society and once a month gathers for group rides across the country, met up to ride not only in support of the environment but in protest of a New York City law that says more than 50 people cannot gather without a permit. I went with my camera and my pals went with their bicycles and what we experienced was awful and intense. Many people were arrested and given summons that they did not deserve.

The Glass Bead Collective has made a collection of videos from lot’s of folks footage (mine included!) about the event and about the police’s role in the situation:

Here in New York City, those wishing to ride bikes to save money, keep the air cleaner and promote physical well-being have been having a rough time. From arrests at critical mass events to hit and runs - biking in the big apple isn’t easy. A pal of mine actually got hit on her bike just the other day and had to go to the hospital.But the video below would suggest that New York is trying, as they’ve installed around 60 “bike boxes” - which are when painted stripes and signs create a zone where cyclists can cross in front of stopped traffic to turn without trucks and cars running them over.

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