(Twitter)
Oct. 2 2020 By Michael Dorgan
Video footage has emerged of a motorist spitting at a female cyclist in Astoria Wednesday afternoon after the pair got into a heated confrontation.
In the video, which was shot and tweeted by the cyclist, the driver can be seen in the freshly-painted bike lane on Crescent Street blocking the pathway.
The cyclist who was riding in the two-way bike lane was forced to stop. She then faced the driver and began recording.
The driver is then seen in his white BMW sports car pulling out of the bike lane–before spitting out the window at the bicyclist. The driver can also be seen using a cell phone while driving.
The cyclist told the New York Post that the saliva hit her body and bike handlebars.
The incident garnered a response from State Sen. Mike Gianaris who said that the man’s actions were criminal.
“This is criminal conduct, and especially dangerous during the pandemic,” Gianaris tweeted.
“Bike lanes are here to stay. Get used to it.”
How do @NYC_DOT and @NYCMayor plan to protect cyclists and pedestrians when cars are able to speed down bike lanes and spit on cyclists without any consequences? This happened yesterday on the crescent street bike lane. pic.twitter.com/HDLauQhz51
— out of context kara ? (@karakul) October 1, 2020
