Hasidic Community Wants to Ban Bike Lanes
Religious leaders In the Williamsburg Hasidic community are calling for a ban on bike lanes in their neighborhood because of bikers passing through in revealing clothing. One Hasid says, "It bothers me, and it bothers a lot of people."
"'I have to admit, it's a major issue, women passing through here in that dress code," Simon Weisser, a member of Community Board 1 in Williamsburg-Greenpoint, told The Post."
"The existing, one-way lanes are popular with North Williamsburg hipsters - many who ride in shorts or skirts.
The temporary lane planned for Kent Avenue would be a precursor to a 14-mile greenway stretching from Newtown Creek in Greenpoint to Sunset Park.
Hasids are forbidden from looking at members of the opposite sex who aren't fully dressed, said local activist Isaac Abraham.
Weisser and other Hasids said during a Sept. 8 community-board meeting that the lanes on Bedford and Wythe avenues should be eliminated if the neighborhood has to accept being part of the greenway."
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Then don't look!
This story pushed me over the edge. I am sick and tired of religious extremists of any faith who try to impose their beliefs and tastes on everybody else.
If a scantily clad bicyclist comes along the bike lane, just avert your eyes. With apologies to Cole Porter, a brief glimpse of stocking may be shocking, but anything goes? Heck, there are plenty of things I see everyday that I'd rather not see, but I'm not so self-centered nor intolerant (except of intolerance) to seek to impose my personal tastes on the people who ride their bikes past my path.
Daniel Lauber, AICP
AICP President 2003-2005, 1992, 1994
APA President 1985-1986
If anyone is intolerant - it
If anyone is intolerant - it is you Mr. Lauber. You do not know the history of Jewish laws and traditions that have influenced the world including the world you live in and it is very unfortunate that you judge the Kasidic community. It is after all their community and they should have a say in it- that is good planning - to take into account the community's needs and concerns expecialy if that community is a minority with different traditions than your standard suburban City. Afterall, they built that community and they should have a say in it. They are not imposing their beliefs on everybody else. They simply want to practice what they believe in. That is what America is about- freedom to practice any religion!