By Daniel Katzive
Back in May 2022, when the Upper West Side Coalition of Block Associations and Community Groups invited the neighborhood’s precinct commanders to address a community forum, a rise in post-pandemic crime rates and the effects of bail reform dominated the discussion. Two years later, levels of reported major felonies have stabilized or even improved in some categories.
So, when a new crop of commanding officers met the public in a coalition-sponsored virtual conversation Tuesday night, concerns about major crimes took a back seat to another issue: rising neighborhood anxiety about the proliferation of motorized bikes, scooters, and other two-wheeled vehicles, and the threat they pose to pedestrian safety.
“To many on the Upper West Side, it feels like there is a turf war out there; fighting for every inch of the street and, now, fighting for every inch of the sidewalk,” said Steve Anderson, president of the coalition, who collected emailed questions from local residents and, with the help of other coalition members, directed them to the officers. The majority of the questions he received were focused on issues related to bikes, motorbikes, and mopeds, he said.
Present at Tuesday’s meeting were the commanding officers of the 20th and 24th Precincts, along with a community affairs detective from the Central Park Precinct, standing in for that command’s CO. Responding to concerns about traffic, the commanders stressed that officers are writing tickets daily and conducting regular operations to confiscate illegal and unlicensed mopeds. However, the leaders were not able to offer much reassurance that the situation would improve, saying the NYPD must contend with limited resources and with legislation that has not kept up with the proliferation and variety of so-called micromobility devices now operating in the city.
“We are out there, we are working, we are writing summonses, we are taking [illegal vehicles] off the street,” said Captain Noreen Lazarus of the 24th Precinct. She conceded, “we are not going to be able to ticket everybody. We’re not going to be able to stop every bicycle that’s on the sidewalk.” But she concluded the evening on an upbeat note, noting “I’m optimistic.”
Speaking about Central Park, Detective Luis Moreira said his team regularly intercepts mopeds trying to enter the park or operating within its boundaries.
Deputy Inspector Candida Pun-Sullivan of the 20th Precinct noted that she is new to the command. “I just got here,” she said. “This is a special group of people here and I’m going to try and make you guys proud and try to bring the 2-0 to the next level together.” She noted that the command has confiscated dozens of illegal or unlicensed vehicles already this year.
These forums are part of a series of online talks with official and non-official speakers hosted by the coalition. Anderson says the coalition is currently planning its next program, with possible topics including congestion pricing, local educational issues, outdoor dining, and neighborhood cultural offerings.
“There is no shortage of concerns,” Anderson told West Side Rag. “West Siders care deeply and we are not going to stay silent. We want to know more, and we want to engage.” Wednesday’s online event was attended by 101 households, according to Anderson, and many more have watched the recording, which is available on YouTube here.
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That’s it? Nothing on the immigrant shelter with the 15 year old shooter?
How about the guy arrested for beating up a cop, released and now arrested again for robbing a Macy’s?
That is what makes their lives so difficult. They put their lives on the line to try to arrest people and they are immediately back out on the streets. It must be incredibly demoralizing. Blame the lawmakers, not the police.
This is coming from a lifelong Democrat who will continue to vote D nationally because Trump and his people are evil, but not necessarily locally.
Agreed
Police are at fault because many don’t know how to judiciously wield the power society has granted them. All they do is stereotype people and bully people with their power and now they’re seeing the consequences now that there’s political backlash. They think by not doing anything and allowing crime to become a problem we will all be begging for Giuliani to come back.
The police don’t know what to do with the power society gave them? If it were just the police, Innocent people wouldn’t be in jail.
There were 7700 murders during Rudy Guiliani’s regime.
Well at least you know where the problem is.
Why haven’t electronic bikes been banned yet? What is the difference between gas and electric exactly that allows an electric bike to zoom around in central park? Can’t anyone see that things are becoming more dangerous by the month? Did the geniuses who decided to put bike lanes just inches from us on the sidewalk envision motorized bikes zooming by at speed enough to do serious damage to people? What is going on in this city??
The bicycle lobby is very powerful
We’re not talking about bicycles. These motorized things are different animals that go 30-40 mph, if not faster.
Thank our local politicians who think sticking a license plate on them will solve the problem. Try sharing a bike lane with them – Especially going the wrong way
A license plate is necessary in order to enforce the law – we could use license plate readers for bikes in the same way we do for cars running red lights. Requiring a license and insurance will go a long way to weeding out the irresponsible drivers. I think all riders should have to sign a sworn statement saying that have read the traffic laws pertaining to their mode of transportation (ie no riding the wrong way, no riding on sidewalks) and they agree to abide by them.
New Yorkers just keep wanting to put band aids on open wounds. The problem is lack of ENFORCEMENT, and nothing except enforcement is going to fix that problem. Stiff penalties of course or why bother trying.
“However, the leaders were not able to offer much reassurance that the situation would improve…”
We live off Columbus, the delivery bikers speed up and down in the bike lanes an now on sidewalks ignoring the traffic lights. At night many do not have lights and one cannot see them coming!
Sevearl folks have been hurt by these guys, when is the city and or police going to crack down in mass and get the illegal one off the streets?
“Regular” bicyclists especially Citibike riders and racing bicyclists are the most egregious in their disregard for pedestrians and traffic rules.
Citibikers routinely go through red lights, go the wrong way, ignore bike lanes etc.
And have no hesitation cursing out any pedestrian who objects.
The bicycle lobby runs NYC.
Though student Metro Cards readily available through DOE, noticeable uptick (in the good weather) of high school students on e-Citibike.
Dangerous situation, even worse than “adult” bicyclists
They are all going through red lights and many the wrong way.
And with earbuds they can’t hear.
Also doubling up with friends sitting in the basket.
I never see discussion of one possible way to help reduce the chaos on the streets and sidewalks – if you are physically able to pick up your own meal, stop or cut down on ordering food to be delivered. Hit these delivery companies like GrubHub and DoorDash where it hurts. Also, not sure how it works, but these companies need to fined when their deliveristas violate the rules of the road or hurt someone. Why are we subsidizing the profits of these tech companies?
The delivery companies have no liability whatsoever because they’ve created their own contracts. The delivery people are considered contractors with no benefits-not even a place to use a bathroom or charge a battery. That’s been somehow relegated to the public sector despite the many deliverista accidents, severe injuries to pedestrians and fires from non-approved batteries. Yet the delivery companies are making billions while the city and state are subsidizing them with charging stations.
Seems to me given the behavior of these food delivery companies and the injuries from either reckless riding or explosive batteries, people should walk to pick up their food! Care a little bit more about the cost to your neighbors who can’t even walk safely on their streets anymore.
Who told you that food delivery has to be by motorized bike? It doesn’t and up until a couple of years ago, it never was once in the history of New York City. This isn’t about food delivery.
It doesn’t HAVE to be, but it is
“couple of years”, no powered delivery bikes and e-scooters have been a thing for at least 15 years.
and licensed gasoline powered small motorcycles were a thing before that.
what’s new since 2019 is the that the state allows unlicensed barely speed limited e-bikes, while the NYPD continues not doing its job.
Also until the emergence of the Apps, restaurant delivery was more limited and more local – typically within 20-25 blocks and the food delivery people worked for the restaurant.
ebikes drivers were a significant danger before the likes of Grubhub.
Remember on Seinfeld when Elaine was using a fake address to get delivery because the restaurant wouldn’t deliver to where she lived? Those were the good old days!
Having lived on the UWS since the 1970s, I rarely ordered in. And when I did it was usually because I was sick. I often stopped at a restaurant on my way home from work to take out.
Most of those those restaurants are no longer around and the replacements/new versions are not the same quality.
Now, of course, so many people work from home that the concept picking up take-out on your way home after work is a quaint old idea.
Instead, taxpayers are paying for these companies’ charge station hubs on public land
These companies also pay their workers pennies. They’re wildly exploitative.
Absolutely. Require the delivery companies to train, perform background checks on, bond and insure their delivery people. If one of their people injures someone or commits a crime while in their service, hold the company responsible, the same way we would for a UPS or FedEx driver.
Exactly. I saw this suggested here once before. Everyone’s precious wonton soup might be slightly better from the place further away but those who are physically able should get off their couches and go pick up their food and perhaps save a life and help the local business that is paying a fortune to these delivery companies.
That “concern about major crimes took a back seat” is insane. I’m sure we could crowd-source (right here in the comments) a list of UWS shootings, murders, and manslaughters in the past 24 months.
I must be living in a different time zone/world that most of you.
It is minor crimes that are a problem, not major ones. Minor crimes are what’s making people feel more unsafe. And tolerance of minor crimes creates a lawless culture that’s hard to turn around.
well said, Lisa, and good point. “Quality of life” issues.
The mopeds and motorcycles are driving and parking on sidewalks. It’s complete insanity.
Can I add something to my prior comment?
I wonder if some of the need to have deliveries is that there are more families with children on the UWS. I don’t know the demographics but, obviously, the more people you have to shop for the more food you have to carry home. As we usually don’t have cars it can be difficult to “carry” enough food home from the stores.
Went by Fairway cafe on my way home – got 3 sandwiches with yummy fries to feed 4 people.
No food delivery 🙂
Hi mpipik,
I am a third generation West Sider and a parent.
Both my partner and I work FT.
My mother was a single parent and worked FT.
With respect, my mother always managed to feed us without delivery.
My partner and I feed our kids – without delivery.
Yes sometimes just pasta and sauce for dinner but that is OK.
And when the kids are older – especially high school age – they can walk to the store and shop for groceries, they can menu-plan and they can cook !
Unfortunately our Mayor is asleep at the wheel. He is well aware of the lawless frenzy on our streets but while paying it lip service does nothing. It’s only very recently he is cracking down on unlicensed mopeds. Safety does not appear to be a big priority to this Administration. But giving great priority to the Trans Alt hedge fund lobby appears to be to him and his DOT Commissioner! Follow the money!!
If you want to try and make your streets safe again (now not only from e-bikes and mopeds but from organized crime gangs) join with NYC-EVSA a grassroots organization of more then 600 people fighting to license and register ALL e-vehicles-NOW with the State. (nyc-evsa@outlook.com) Write to Governor Hochul on her webpage (governor.ny.gov) and demand that e-bikes be licensed and registered.
As for the police response-I live on the UWS and am out everyday for a good part of the day, and endangered everyday by e-bikes and Citibikes on the sidewalks and hurtling through red lights. I have yet to see a police officer stopping, ticketing or talking with anyone on a moped or bike of any kind.
The police say they are ticketing – Not anywhere near the 20th precinct, that’s for sure.
Best comment here. Thank you! I am going to write the governor
We like our deliveries but seem to be intolerant of those who fulfill our desire for convenience. Sure, there are people who ride carelessly but in my personal experience, it’s white locals that behave most disrespectfully while riding bikes.
The people on e bikes on the sidewalks – it is always ebilew and they are always delivering something. Regular bikes going the wrong way – I have seen all kinds of people.
When did race become part of this conversation?
Commanders …”were not able to offer much reassurance that the situation would improve, saying the NYPD must contend with limited resources and with legislation that has not kept up with the proliferation and variety of so-called micromobility devices now operating in the city.”
And yes…the usual ‘thoughts and prayers’ sympathetic mollification verbiage…“There is no shortage of concerns,” (remind you of anything???)
So let’s cut to the chase…until the Legislators -both NYC and NYS who’ve been playing fast and loose -accommodating the race-card=playing Lobbyists and self-dealing -self-entitled Biker Bro’s -glibly to the detriment and terror of everyday NYC pedestrians trying to safely navigate streets and yes SIDEWALKS…don’t pull any virtue signalling blather. You are ON NOTICE! We SEE YOU.
Our lawmakers are guilty of a dereliction of duty in their stewardship to keep their constituents safe in NYC…from the UWS and into Brooklyn and Queens. You own it-and we will remember both at the polls and in Court.
It’s just Pollyanna to think you can just encourage bicycles, mopeds etc and expect bike riders to reduce traffic. It adds to the traffic and lawless driving. This is not Amsterdam. It was already dangerous out there with taxis, now it’s the Wild West.
Actually not easy being a pedestrian in Amsterdam.
Bicycles have the right of way.
Some places almost impossible to cross the street as bicycles keep whizzing by.
Pedestrians always need to be on alert.
When people call for more enforcement, do you think the worst malefactors get stopped? Guess again. It’s much easier to stop, say, a woman cyclist on her way to work who rolls through a T-intersection at 5 mph, as the 2-4 recently did to a friend of mine on CPW. She posed not the slightest threat to anyone but it helped the precinct demonstrate it’s cracking down on “lawless cyclists.”
Ken,
FYI – my friend riding her own bicycle was seriously inured after she was hit by a person (woman) on Citibike who went through a red light.