Sep 12, 2008 6:41 pm US/Eastern
Hasidic Community Frustrated With Female Bikers
Community Leaders Push To Move Bike Lanes To Outskirts Of Neighborhood
Reporting
Jay Dow
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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On any given day, anyone can find female cyclists cruising through a predominantly Hasidic section of Williamsburg, where conservative religious views frown upon less than buttoned-up commuters. (File)
AP
They're young, hip, and in a hurry. And on any given day, anyone can find female cyclists cruising through a predominantly Hasidic section of Williamsburg, where conservative religious views frown upon less than buttoned-up commuters.
"Women are riding here without dressing modest," complains Samuel Wieder, a local newspaper editor.
But cyclist Lauren Rayburn doesn't agree. She uses Bedford Avenue to get to work.
"If I could wear an ankle length skirt and ride a bike, I would. But you know what, it would get caught in my spoke," she tells CBS 2.
Rabbi Joseph Weber says it's not just about a potential fashion disaster, though. He claims the bike lanes, along with reckless cyclists, pose a threat to children and elderly residents of the community.
"People in this area don't ride bikes. They come from all over, and they're going through this area. This area is not made – mainly it should be considered for the residents of his area," he says.
Community leaders say they want the bike lanes removed and pushed toward the outskirts of the Hasidic community.
Seth Solomonow, a spokesperson for the city's Department of Transportation, says the lanes actually increase safety. "The project was developed following a resolution passed overwhelmingly by the community board, where we presented our plans publicly three times this year and where it received a generally positive response," he said.
Regardless of what comes out of the Hasidic community's talks with the DOT, it may not matter. Cyclists like Alyssa Kable say they'll keep riding through the neighborhood when she wants, and dressing as she fits.
"I'm not going to stop riding my bike through this neighborhood if they remove the bike lanes," she says.
Transportation officials tell CBS 2 they'll consider the request by some to remove the lanes.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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