Outside the historic Braunschweig House in the King William district, Jeff Carrero fidgeted with what looked like the front wheel of a motorcycle cut off below the handlebars, while several other young men in motocross and skateboarding gear zipped up and down the block on single wheels powered by rechargeable batteries.
Some rode colorful planks with a chunky wheel in the middle. Others such as Carrero buzzed about on lone wheels with footrests on either side. One rider cruised by in a turquoise Hawaiian shirt holding a lit cigar. Another rolled past like a shadow dressed all in black, his long hair flowing out from under his white helmet. Prince, Hall & Oats and other ’80s artists blasted from one of the group’s monowheels.
Then as Carrero mounted up to begin another “Electric Thursday” group ride, one of the most unusual men in blue pulled up to the scene.
That would be Joseph Cruz, a beaming 40-year-old auto mechanic known for his colorful monochromatic outfits. This evening, he sported all blue gear with a plush motorcycle helmet cover that looked like the fuzzy face of an angry cop.
“That’s our police officer escort tonight,” Cruz shouted as he adjusted his pads and locked his ankles into his electric unicycle…