VIDEO: Filmmaker Protests Bike Lane Ticket

New York City's road-warrior bicyclists have a new hero: filmmaker Casey Niestat.

The filmmaker is using YouTube to protest being issued a $50 traffic ticket for not riding his bicycle in a Manhattan bike lane. He says he didn't deserve the ticket because he was riding on Second Avenue to avoid potential hazards in the bike lane.

In a video posted online Wednesday, Niestat plows his bike into various obstacles in bike lanes — traffic barrels, delivery trucks, even a police cruiser. He says none of the obstacles were placed there for the video.

Bicyclists are required to stay in bike lanes, whenever available, except when unsafe conditions exist.

Police say officers have discretion to issue tickets if a bicyclist uses an automotive lane instead of a bike lane.