Roosevelt Island residents were startled and feared the worst this September Sunday prior to the 18th year anniversary of 9/11 World Trade Center attacks by what appeared to be hundreds of motorcycles, ambulances and Fire Department emergency vehicles with non stop blasting of sirens crossing the Queensboro Bridge. A Roosevelt Island resident texted:
Bridge full of ambulances – know what’s going on?
And from theTwitterverse
@Rooseveltisland First ambulances, fire trucks, and then tow trucks, and then trucks with men in helmets? Is this a 9/11 parade (I hope)? So many alarms and sirens blasting from Roosevelt Island POV.Clarice B. (@ib095) September 8, 2019
It was nonstop sirens going past the animal hospital a few minutes agoMinnehanonck (@minnehanonck) September 8, 2019
Im trapped on the bridge and have no idea what this is or when we might be able to move. Any info @NYPDnews?Lauren McCarthy (@laurenamccarth) September 8, 2019
I asked the NYPD 19th precinct:
I see it too. Ambulances and fire trucks on Queensboro Bridge. Dont know?@NYPD19Pct https://t.co/Gh9zVIxEIDRoosevelt Islander (@Rooseveltisland) September 8, 2019
The NYPD 19th precinct replied:
Its the yearly 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride, escorted by NYPD Highway Officers.NYPD 19th Precinct (@NYPD19Pct) September 8, 2019
They should have notified us ahead of time. I was terrified with all the alarms and emergency vehicles headed into Manhattan and spent the last 45 minutes trying to make sure I did not need to prepare to evacuate.Clarice B. (@ib095) September 8, 2019
@NYPDChiefofDept @NYCMayor so ridiculous to not have police presence at the START of the #queensborobridge for a planned event like the 9/11 motorcycle ride today. No indication that the bridge was shut down. Instead let vehicles sit trapped on the overpass for over an hourKelly O’Sullivan (@K_B_OSullivan) September 8, 2019
The NYC Emergency Management Department tweeted notice of the event yesterday:
9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride: Intermittent road closures between the Aqueduct Racetrack, Queens and World Trade Center in both directions from 1:00PM to 3:30PM on 9/8. Consider alt routes. Multilingual & ASL Link: https://t.co/serPaDO2qg.NYCEM – Notify NYC (@NotifyNYC) September 7, 2019
Here’s more on the Run for Richie 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride
The fourth annual Forest Hills Ambulance Corps ‘Run for Richie 9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride’ returns next month to honor the memory of Richard Richie Allen Pearlman, the youngest first responder lost on 9/11.https://t.co/xum378hY2a#NeverForgetNYC EMS Watch (@NYCEMSwatch) August 20, 2019
9/11 Memorial Motorcycle Ride in Manhattan.#NeverForget pic.twitter.com/Svne7T6IOMPete Rose (@PeteRose1) September 8, 2019
Hundreds of motorcycles thunder up the West Side Highway and pass #GroundZero in the 9/11 Memorial Ride to W.T.C. #cnnireport #ny1pic #abc7ny #nbc4ny #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/YPEwL3XoEgBen Von Klemperer (@VKtrue) September 8, 2019
9/11 memorial motorcycle ride on the LIE, amazing. pic.twitter.com/dvxuf2pj5mLeni (@lenigolightly) September 8, 2019
Start of the 9-11 Memorial motorcycle bike ride. Never Forget!! pic.twitter.com/uWb7l66qeILIBSareCANCER (@generic22998299) September 8, 2019
We along with our friends from @vollyheartSI are participating in @FHVAC annual 9/11 Memorial “Run for Richie” Motorcycle Ride in Forest Hills, Queens. We will never forget. #NorthShoreRescueSquad #nsrssiny #nsrs #95boy #95B#vollyems #volunteerems #silive #NeverForget pic.twitter.com/04a6amPDhiNorth Shore Rescue Squad (@nsrssiny) September 8, 2019