CANNOT LET THEM WIN!’
Residents back on bike path day after terror attack
NEW YORK CITY — Bicyclists were back flying down the West Side bike path yesterday showing a resilience that’s become a proud way of life in Manhattan.
Just a day before, a selfdescribed ISIS soldier killed eight and injured 12 as he plowed down the tree-lined path in a rental pickup.
“We live at Ground Zero. If something ever were to happen it will happen here,” said Howard Grossman as he biked in the shadow of the Freedom Tower at the World Trade Center.
“I’ve been biking (in NYC) probably since 1982,” the 57-year-old TV producer said. “It’s a tragic event, but there also used to be two big tall buildings across the street from where I live and they got knocked down.”
He was among other Tribeca road warriors who battle traffic, construction, tourists, grime — and now terrorists — and refuse to stop doing what they love.
“The subway is depressing, cabs are too expensive knew exactly what he was doing,” said Patrick Etchaubard, 60, a native of France and avid bicyclist. “This is the busiest pathway in America. Every day you have at least thousands of bikers.”
Etchaubard isn’t exaggerating. This impeccably manicured lane along the Hudson
River is considered the busiest in the country and one of the most beautiful. Cyclists use these lanes to reach secret locations only accessible by bike.
Lined with lush gardens, it runs for 11 miles through the most picturesque neighborhoods in the city, making its way up to the Cloisters — a replica of a medieval monastery.
“On my way in today, I definitely thought about what had happened and felt awful for the people who passed away and were injured and their families,” said Martina Featherstone, 29, a student at the nearby Borough of Manhattan Community College who rides this path twice a week.
“You only live once, so you might as well enjoy the ride,” she said about being back on her bike.
The area around Warren and Murray streets where the terrorist was shot by a police officer was still roped off as investigators worked the scene. People were leaving bouquets of flowers and notes in memory of those killed and injured.
“You have to be out riding — we cannot let them win!” Etchaubard added. “I intend to still use this path. I am not scared.”
‘I am not scared.’ — PATRICK ETCHAUBARD New York bicyclist