The New Yorker magazine, in “Talk of the Town” on June 9, 1986, printed an anonymous passage titled “Anarchy Without Malice”:
“Most bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws, which is to say that they run red lights, go the wrong way on one-way streets, violate crosswalks and sidewalks, and terrify innocents, because it just seems easier that way. Cycling in the city, and particularly in midtown, is anarchy without malice.”
The words have been printed on several images.
Google Books
The New Yorker
Volume 62, Part 3
June 9, 1986
Pg. 31:
Anarchy Without Malice
A FRIEND writes: Most bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws, which is to say that they run red lights, go the wrong way on one-way streets, violate crosswalks and sidewalks, and terrify innocents, because it just seems easier that way. Cycling in the city, and particularly in midtown, is anarchy without malice.
Big E’s Cycling
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011
Quotes About The Bicycle
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Most bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws, which is to say that they run red lights, go the wrong was on one-way streets, violate cross walks, and terrify innocents, because it just seems easier that way. Cycling in the city, and particularly in midtown, is anarchy without malice.- New Yorker
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Get a bicycle. You will not regret it if you live. – Mark Twain
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Most bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws, which is to say that they run red lights, go the wrong way on one-way streets, violate cross-walks, and terrify innocents because it just seems easier that way. Cycling in the city, and particularly in midtown, is anarchy without malice.
— Author unknown, “Talk of the Town,” The New Yorker, June 9, 1986
Google Books
Words to Ride by:
Thoughts on Bicycling
By Michael Carabetta
San Francisco, CA: Chronicle Books LLC
2017
Pg. 90:
Most bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws, which is to say that they run red lights, go the wrong way on one-way streets, violate crosswalks and sidewalks, and terrify innocents, because it just seems easier that way. Cycling in the city, and particularly in midtown, is anarchy without malice.
AUTHOR UNKNOWN
from The New Yorker “Talk of the Town”
June 9, 1986
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Most #bicyclists in New York City obey instinct far more than they obey the traffic laws.
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Above, a 1934 plaque from the Big Apple Night Club at West 135th Street and Seventh Avenue in Harlem. Discarded as trash in 2006. Now a Popeyes fast food restaurant on Google Maps.
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Above, Big Apple Corner at 54th Street and Broadway in Manhattan. Google Maps. Stolen and missing, 2021-2024.
Above, John J. Fitz Gerald, from the Aug. 15, 1931, Binghamton (NY) Press, pg. 14.
Listen to Robert Emmerich introduce "The Big Apple," a hit song from 1937. Music written by Bob and performed by Tommy Dorsey's Clambake Seven with Bob on piano. Lyrics written by Buddy Bernier and sung by Edythe Wright. Audio provided by Dorothy Emmerich.
Also listen to a 1937 "The Big Apple" song by Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra. See a 1929 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald and a 1931 photo of John J. Fitz Gerald.
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