Bike advocates want crackdown on lane blockers

Bike lanes are becoming the norm in streets around the city, but pedal fans say some motorists haven't received the memo.

Transit advocates say they've noticed an increased in the number of cars parked in bike lanes and are worried that it will become a growing trend. Caroline Samponaro, the senior director of campaigns and organizing for Transportation Alternatives, said it is troubling when some of the cars are emergency vehicles that are parked during non-emergencies for hours on end.

"If you see a cop using a bike lane and it's casual . . . people think it's not a big deal," she said.

The NYPD didn't return messages for comment. The city's 311 office said it doesn't keep track of bike lane blockage complaints but said that they receive an average of 135 calls per day related to illegal parking.

In the meantime, some bikers have taken to the Internet to let off some steam. One such site, the Tumblr "Cops in Bike Lanes," posts daily pictures of emergency vehicles throughout the city blocking the lanes.

The site's creator, who asked to remain anonymous, said there is a real safety issue when a biker realizes their lane has an impediment.

"It's a terrible example for every other driver when a cop car blocks a lane," the site's founder said.