A New York city cyclist is using YouTube to protest after a traffic cop issued him with a 50 dollar penalty for riding outside a bike lane.

Filmmaker Casey Niestat says he did not deserve the ticket because he was riding on Second Avenue to avoid potential hazards in the bike lane.

In a video posted online, Niestat deliberately rides his bike into various obstacles in bike lanes - traffic cones, delivery trucks, even a police car - and tumbles to the ground, startling pedestrians.

He says none of the obstacles were placed there for the protest 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 cyclist strays outside a bike lane.

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