We're not surprised that the NYPD press office repeatedly ignored our requests for comment about why, where and WTF cops were doing cutting bike locks and seizing bikes without notice along Obama's motorcade route. Nor were we surprised that NYPD spokesman Paul Browne told the Times, "All vehicles, including 165 cars and 30 bikes were removed as a precaution in advance of the presidential motorcade. Notices were posted two days in advance." (We haven't heard from anyone who saw such a notice about the bikes, and does this look like just 30 bikes to you?) And it's not surprising that the NYPD has been blowing off City Councilman Peter Vallone, either—but that doesn't make it any less outrageous.
Vallone, the chairman of the City Council’s Public Safety Committee, fired off a letter to NYPD Commissioner Ray Kelly the day after the incident, which police later explained away as a security precaution to protect the president from bike bombs. Vallone wrote, "Please provide information regarding the following questions: Why did this occur? How often does this occur? What alternatives were considered but not used? What type of notice was given to the community? When and where were the bikes available for retrieval? Was this action based on any specific threat? Thank you for your courtesy and cooperation and I look forward to your response."
That was a week ago. In the meantime, infuriating video surfaced of NYPD officers confiscating bikes on Houston Street, and at least on bike owner said he wants to sue. Civil rights attorney Norman Siegel, who previously filed a lawsuit against the city over the NYPD's practice of confiscating bikes during Critical Mass Rides, says, "We need a better plan. Cyclists should have notice regarding removal of their bicycles from the street and how to recover their bikes if confiscated."
