(Twitter)
Oct. 2 2020 By Michael Dorgan
Video footage has emerged of a motorist spitting at a female cyclist in Astoria Wednesday afternoon after the pair got into a heated confrontation.
In the video, which was shot and tweeted by the cyclist, the driver can be seen in the freshly-painted bike lane on Crescent Street blocking the pathway.
The cyclist who was riding in the two-way bike lane was forced to stop. She then faced the driver and began recording.
The driver is then seen in his white BMW sports car pulling out of the bike lane–before spitting out the window at the bicyclist. The driver can also be seen using a cell phone while driving.
The cyclist told the New York Post that the saliva hit her body and bike handlebars.
The incident garnered a response from State Sen. Mike Gianaris who said that the man’s actions were criminal.
“This is criminal conduct, and especially dangerous during the pandemic,” Gianaris tweeted.
“Bike lanes are here to stay. Get used to it.”
How do @NYC_DOT and @NYCMayor plan to protect cyclists and pedestrians when cars are able to speed down bike lanes and spit on cyclists without any consequences? This happened yesterday on the crescent street bike lane. pic.twitter.com/HDLauQhz51
— out of context kara ? (@karakul) October 1, 2020
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17 Comments
FYI.
While my 12 year old and I
were crossing the street today
at 31Ave around 37 street
a woman on her bike
came very close to hitting the both of us.
She was traveling at an
excessive rate of speed.
We were a third of the way
across the street.
We were in the crosswalk
and crossing at the green.
She appeared to come out of
nowhere. She wasn’t in a bike lane. Not sure if there was one.
I commented loudly after she
passed us, hey watch out, you almost hit us!!!
as she kept moving forward she turned and looked back and
flipped us both the finger
and then went on
her merry way.
Our “progressive” ruling class has seen to it that cyclists do not have to abide by traffic rules. They even gave them special lanes even though these cyclists ride wherever they feel like including sidewalks.
The “progressive democrats” support the dismantling of law and order on every level. And once they have done that and driven law abiding citizens away, then they take over the areas, the state and impact the electoral college. Make no mistake – that is the agenda and the reason why they are bussing “progressive democrats” aka socialists into every area.
Unbelievable that they can’t find the guy yet with all these street cameras and social media…
Find him and do what? You want police resources to go after this guy while BLM and Antifa can host a pop up protest and vandalize anytime they want to?
I want every crime to be prosecuted. There is no difference between this garbage and the rioters & looters. Google D Sabedra. He might drunk-drive over you one day!
#Brokenwindows
She’s sounds like a Karen !
While it’s not right what the drive did I do understand his frustration as the bicyclist do not obey the rules of the road they don’t wear the proper protection I ride a motorcycle and if I did any of the things the bike rides do I would lose my license and my motorcycle it is time the bikes are registered and insured and the riders get licensed
The dumb bimmer is clearly driving on the bike lane, talking and holding the phone, cutting off the other cars, spitting on the cyclist… it has nothing with other cyclists’ bad behavior. People become very empathetic if the offender is white.. way to go..
Very digrassful and disgusting act by motorist. However, we all know that today’s byciclist presume the streets were made for them and cars have no right to be on the streets. Share the roads and stop being so righteous and obnoxious. If you take reckless chances and challenge four thousand pound vehicles because as you feel empowered see how that works out for you. R.I.P.
She was just riding her bicycle on the bike lane. You expect her to share the 2 way bike lane with cars? You need more omega-3
Yes Mr Gianaris, bike lanes are here to stay! Crescent street is blocked up with traffic now because you fools made it into one lane! Drivers include the elderly, people going to work, deliveries etc. that are now all stuck in traffic while the bike lanes are EMPTY!!!! The cross streets leading east to crescent street are likewise packed. You, Gianaris, Clueless Costa and the rest of the democratic socialists are destroying Astoria piece by piece!
BMW?
Yeah, one of those who consider themselves “special,” certainly more important than someone riding a bicycle!
This action is horrible, but the bike lane has significantly increased traffic onto the bridge. Planner should be more creative in developing plans that improve bike safety without impacting the need for those who have no choice but to commute by car.
I understand the frustration.
Personally,
i wouldn’t video taped
because people get upset by this action.
The book bicyclist is lucky that the guy spit and didn’t pull out
a loaded gun and use it.
Just stop, and when it is safe to go around the vehicle, than continue on,
unless you want to have
a confrontation that could then become an altercation.
It’s not a perfect world,
never was and never will be.
I hope that this young bicyclist
now goes to get tested for
possible exposure to virus.
My advice is to try to avoid
a confrontation.
It’s safer to do so.
When his or her life threatened by a driver, a cyclist might pull out a gun too. When the laws are not enforced, people take it to their hands unfortunately. This driver thinks he is privileged so he can drive his expensive car on the bike lane and cut off fellow drivers eventually, spit on others . Nowadays people hate other people who thinks they have privilege. Everybody should be careful.
Despicable. I have noticed a huge uptick in rude and spastic pedestrians and drivers alike in Astoria. I guess the unemployment and economic situation are fraying everybody’s nerves. People will lash out at the slightest provocation, real or perceived. Be careful out there.
Nobody obeys the traffic rules anymore because there is no enforcement. I often see the motorcycles on the same bike lane. Motorcycles, scooters, bicycles ride full speed on the SIDEWALKS. Is Blasio waiting for people to get killed before doing something? Do pedestrian lives don’t matter??