Brooklyn Bike Patrol will be back up and riding this Friday

The Brooklyn Bike Patrol, in all their glory [Via Facebook]

As we told you back in June, Brooklyn Bike Patrol sadly shut down service after Founder and President Jay Ruiz suffered two heart attacks. The volunteer-run service, which helps women get home safely from 55 subway stations throughout Brooklyn, has been dark since then. But as Brokelyn reported yesterday, the Brooklyn Bike Patrol will be back up and running starting this Friday! Yay!

If you didn't know, Ruiz started the Brooklyn Bike Patrol back in 2011, in response to the numerous sexual assults in Park Slope. The organization is made up of 6 volunteers in addition to Ruiz, who accompany woman from the subways to their homes from 8pm to 4am Fridays and Saturday, and 8pm to midnight Sundays-Thursdays. (You have to call them at 718-744-7592, 45-minutes before you exit your train).

In the wake of the relaunch, Brooklyn Bike Patrol has sent out a call for more volunteers. Interested in joining the crew of this fucking awesome group? All the deets are here.

Excited to have the boys back?

The Brooklyn Bike Jumble is Coming Back to Park Slope

I think the title and image say it all, but in case they don't, the fourth annual Brooklyn Bike Jumble is coming to Park Slope on September 8 from 10AM to 4PM. Location: the park where Washington's Continental Army got its ass whooped 236 years ago a.k.a. the Old Stone House on 5th Ave and 4th Street (Washington Park if you're nasty). 

WTF is a Brooklyn Bike Jumble, you might ask? It's a cycling-themed flea market where indie dealers from all across the country come to hock everything from bargain vintage bikes to super sleek racing bikes that could run up to five grand. Since there will be something for everyone who enjoys riding a bike, now peeps can ditch the creepy craiglist posting for cheap sex bikes and actually have a splendid time comparison shopping from vendors who know what the hell they're talking about. 

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Yay For Bike Shares! (Boo for the fact that Park Slope ain't getting 'em until 2013)

We're all excited for the Department of Transportation's recently announced shared bike program, yes? The one that Citigroup is sponsoring for $41M so that bike haters aren't all like, "BUT MY TAX MONEY!" 

Right off the bat, one thing that sucks about this great announcement for Citi Bikes is that Park Slope won't be getting any docking stations until 2013 (insert The Price Is Right failure horn).

[Via Park Slope Patch and Huffington Post]

[LINKED] Win Free Bike Gear!

Although FIPS writer Amanda wrote a hi-larious Bike Lover's Gift Guide, the big news is that she's teamed up with Fishs Eddy over at You're Welcome to give away some killer bike gear, perfect for all of you Bike Lane supporters. 

Click here to enter to win.

Who Gives a Shit: Will the New Loop Proposed for Prospect Park Reduce Accidents?

Prospect Park Road Sharing Taskforce

I’m not a frequent user of the loop at Prospect Park, but every once in a while I'll go for a long walk or bike ride around it. Sometimes I'm a tad confused as to where exactly I’m supposed to be (and as we're all aware, it's shit like this that leads to accidents, lawsuits, ticket crackdowns and the presence of giant orange barrels).

If on foot, walkers share a lane with the joggers, which sometimes gets jammy (not helped by those swimming upstream). As for bikers, during rush hours they are supposed to be immediately adjacent, in a 7-ft. wide lane, which is a bit too close in my opinion. All you need is one fool getting caught up in a call or sexting session and they’re suddenly more off course than an Italian ship captain.

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