City To Bike Riders: 'Don't Be a Jerk' Updated May 11, 2011 6:48am

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(Department of Transportation)

By Ben Fractenberg

DNAinfo Reporter/Producer

MANHATTAN — New York City does not want you to be a jerk – when it comes to riding your bicycle.

The Department of Transportation's "Don’t Be A Jerk" ad campaign features YouTube videos staring chef Mario Batali, comedian John Leguizamo and supermodel Paulina Porizkova.

The videos provide some essential do's and don'ts for bike riding. On the list of don't: riding your bike the wrong direction in bike lanes, weaving in and out of sidewalk traffic and not yielding to pedestrians.

In the ads, the stars demonstrate what not to do — like Batali riding the wrong way down a bike lane wearing a helmet, shorts, and his signature orange Crocs.

The campaign is part the department’s larger Bike Smart initiative, which seeks to educate people on the rules of biking and safety tips.

Bike lanes have come under attack from some critics who say they block parking, hamper pedestrians and are unnecessary because of the small number of people who commute via two wheels.

By Ben Fractenberg, DNAinfo.com

Follow Ben on Twitter @fractenberg