June 3, 2003
Contact: Jesse Day
New York Bicycling Coalition
(518) 436-0889

STATEWIDE BICYCLING SAFETY ASSOCIATION CRITICAL OF POLICE HANDLING OF CYCLIST MASS RIDE IN BUFFALO, NY - CALL FOR BETTER ROADS

On Friday May 30th, approximately 65 bicyclists left Niagara Square in downtown Buffalo for a critical mass bicycle ride. The ride is held every month on a regular basis (except during the winter season) and encourages residents to ride bicycles instead of driving cars. Upon reaching Elmwood Avenue, cyclists were asked by local police to be removed from the public roadway, in contradiction of New York State Vehicle and Traffic law. One cyclist received a summons for blocking traffic, while other cyclists and onlookers stood peaceably by.

According to a witness whose name has been withheld for confidentiality reasons, a dispute started between police and cyclists. The riders felt that it was their right to ride in the road, and had made room for passing cars. Police officers on the scene insisted that the riders remove themselves from the road completely. Also according to witnesses, at no point was vehicular traffic obstructed by the cyclists: in fact, traffic was obstructed by the cars belonging to police officers, who gathered with increasing numbers as the dispute continued. Police officers on the scene did not ask the cyclists at any time to ride two abreast, but rather asked them to disperse altogether.

Police statements from the Buffalo Police Dept. also stated numerous injuries sustained by police officers in the fracas. However, according to eyewitness accounts, several cyclists were injured as well, a fact that was not reported in the local news.

“It seems to me that there should be an informational training set up for the Buffalo police to better inform them of proper expedition of Vehicle and Traffic Safety law,” said Jesse Day, Executive Directory of the New Bicycling Coalition. “There was a lot of misinformation and conflicting directions being suggested by the police.” Those directions, Mr. Day said, are not consistent with New York state traffic law, Title 7, Article 34, Section 1234 that states, “ Persons riding bicycles….upon a roadway shall not ride more than two abreast,” with exceptions made for shoulders, and pathways where more than two abreast are permitted. Title 7, Article 26 also provides that motorists must “exercise due care” when passing cyclists on the road.

In all, nine people at the scene were arrested as a result of the incident.

The New York Bicycling Coalition works hard every year to make roads safer for cyclists, “But if public officials representing state law are not aware of traffic laws that improve safety and allow for diverse forms of non-polluting devices to be used by the public, we all lose,” said Mr. Day. “An ongoing agreement between the cyclists who ride on a monthly basis, and the Buffalo police should be reached amicably, especially given that they intend to ride within the limits of the law.”

The New York Bicycling Coalition is the only statewide organization that works towards increasing bike safety through improved infrastructure and safety education. The Coalition has been working with partners at the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee to work towards "Better Roads" in New York through public regional workshops.

For more information call Jesse Day at 518-436-0889 or visit our website at www.nybc.net.