Its been no secret that the Hasidim in South Williamsburg hate the bike lanes. There have been complaints since the moment the paint hit the asphalt. But now, they have hit on an incredibly misguided line of attack in hopes of ridding their neighborhood of bike lanes – modesty. Yes, according to this Post article, the Hasids are now complaining about the immodest attire of the bikers riding through their neighborhood.
Lets get one thing straight here – we are talking about people riding bicycles on public streets. The Hasidim have every right to be offended, but the bikers also have every right to ride on those bike lanes (or even to ride on those streets absent bike lanes).
Lets get another thing straight – in the year or two of complaining about bike lanes in South Williamsburg, most recently this past Monday at CB1, all of the complaints have been about parking and congestion. Basically, the bike lanes eliminate the availability of (illegal) double parking, and cause traffic to stop behind buses. Even the safety issue (bicyclists riding through red lights) is a new line of attack (and at least a plausibly legitimate one, though not a reason to eliminate bike lines).
By the way, for a more humorous take on this tempest, check out Williamsburg is Dead. Oh, and Curbed is up to 121 comments.

Urban Rustic is setting up a food cart in that sliver of McCarren Park between the dog run and Greendome. As part of the deal, they are also donating tables and umbrellas. I suppose some might lament the privatization of public space, but this looks like a win – Greendome is one of the best things in the neighborhood, and the dog run is an important asset (and social center), but the area between the two is largely dead space. This will change that.

This morning (practicing what I preach) I went to my very quiet polling place and voted. Pretty simple, as there was only one choice to make – Connor or Squadron?
This is evening I came home to a mailbox full of fliers, all from Marty Connor and his supporters. Twelve fliers in all. 12. An even dozen (six for me, six for my wife). There were two anonymous “Stop $quadron” fliers. These slammed him (in English and Spanish) as an inexperienced carpetbagger. In English, Squadron was “a rich 28 year old”; in Spanish he was “un milionario” – but judging by my mailbox, its Connor who has the deep pockets.
I wonder if he’s a day late, though – seems to me that that propaganda would have been more effective if it arrived in my mailbox yesterday.
UPDATE: According to NY1, Squadron defeated Connor rather handily – 54% to 46%. Also of local note, Ed Towns won his 10th CD race, with just over 2/3 of the vote. And across the river, Sheldon Silver won his assembly race with a bit over 2/3 of the vote as well.

With all due respect, stay retired.

Today is a primary day in NY. They schedule them like this so no one will actually know its a primary day and the incumbents can stay in power. Or at least that’s what a conspiracy theorist might theorize.
Unlike most primaries in NY, there are some actual races and actual issues of actual import attached. Herewith, a rundown, starting locally and moving out (as always, you must be a registered Democrat to play this game):
In 11211, State Senator Martin Connor is being challenged by Dan Squadron. Connor has the backing of the Democratic establishment (most of the Democratic Congressional delegation, Markowitz, Thompson, Gotbaum, Quinn and most of the senate and assembly Democrats as well). Squadron has been endorsed by Bloomberg, Schumer and Wiener, and the Times. In addition to areas of Brooklyn, Connor’s district covers much of lower Manhattan.
Next door, Congressman Ed Towns is being challenged by Kevin Powell. Towns has the establishment endorsements, including the Clintons. (Obscure sore point on Towns – he was the congressman who crossed Congressional boundaries to lobby against the landmarking of 184 Kent.)
Back in Manhattan, Assemblyman (and Assembly Speaker) Shelly Silver is facing a rather serious challenge from Luke Henry and Paul Newell. Newell has the press endorsements wrapped up, with all three papers supporting his bid. Which may not be enough with a split ballot against an entrenched incumbent. Still, if you’ve supported any of Bloomberg’s big plans over the past few years (the Jets, congestion pricing, just to name two), you might want to give Newell a look.
Special bonus – by voting tomorrow, you will be among the first New Yorkers to use new voting machines.

There may be room for music at a restored McCarren Pool after all. (This is somewhat old news – there certainly won’t be room for Pool Party sized events, and any larger events will probably happen in the Spring and Autumn, not in the Summer.)

David Byrne’s “Olde Times Square” bike rack,
44th Street, west of Times Square.
A convenient roost for tourists.

Passing through Times Square this afternoon, I noticed another of the David Byrne bike racks. It would seem that like hipsters, tourists don’t get the bike racks either. Note the traditional bike rack, right, with bike, as compared to the “Olde Times Square” bike rack, left, with tourists.