NYC Police seize illegal rental bikes near Central Park

September 21, 9:44 AMNY Cycling ExaminerGrace Lichtenstein

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New York police have begun a campaign to stop the illegal rental of bicycles from sidewalk vendors who offer them to clueless tourists, according to stories today in local media and the Associated Press.

The police have responded to complaints from legitimate vendors, shops and residents. They have confiscated 73 bicycles since August by snapping chains that lock them to light posts and scaffolding, say the reports. The activity is very noticeable around Central Park South and Columbus Circle. The cops have also issued summonses to about 25 vendors for “Illegal storage” of bikes on sidewalks.

These reports of police activity could not immediately be confirmed and calls to Midtown North and the police public information office were not returned.

The reports say neighborhood residents and groups complained about the clutter, as well as the behavior of the renters, who ride on sidewalks and don’t wear helmets.

However, there is no law mandating that adults wear helmets while cycling in New York City. This reporter has interviewed about a dozen riders in recent weeks on bikes from legitimate rental companies who said they declined the offer of helmets when they leased the bike.

“We’re from Germany. We don’t wear helmets there,” said a woman who was riding in Central Park last week with her family. “In Holland, we don’t wear helmets. Maybe we should, “giggled another on a bicycle clearly labeled as being from a well-known legitimate vendor.

Many tourists observed in Central Park and on the streets this summer on what clearly are rented bikes ride without helmets. In the park, they can often be seen blithely pedaling the wrong way against traffic, even on crowded weekends.

For more info:  find good legitimate bike rental outfits in Manhattan. Scroll down on the page to the lower right for the list.

Photo above of bicycles at Midtown North police precinct by Robert Miller NY Post