The pedestrians point of view is completely oft out of this happy dapply story. And for pedestrians, bikers are a scourge. How about encouraging them to obey traffic laws and stay in bike lanes? I live in the Village and walk a lot, and the number of times I've narrowly escaped being hit--even after spine surgeries (when you are incredibly careful about lights and looking both ways), while using a cane or with a neck brace, or with my foot in a cast--are too many to count. There have been times when I've almost been hit by three cyclists at once, two going against traffic, all running lights, and none in a bike lane. I've had people dozily bike into me while texting, people laugh as I scream after a near miss, saying, "it's all good" .... I've even been yelled at for stopping to avoid being hit, and then accused of "impeding the flow." For pedestrians, being surrounded by bikers is like being the target in a bad video game. You can't hear them till they're on top of you. With cars at least you have the warning of the engine.
6
Biking in the city is like the Wild, Wild West. Woody Allen is correct in complaining to his community board about this “largely unregulated activity.” While many are quick to extol the virtues of bike riding, there are those of us who are no longer able to walk because we are being menaced by bicyclists. Bicyclists usurp the sidewalk because it is safer for them to ride there than the streets. When are there going to be real consequences for those bicyclists who ignore traffic lights, ride on the sidewalk, text, etc? Bicyclists should be required to have insurance and be ticketed for infractions. It’s only fair.
6
bicycling in nyc: ridiculous! One of the best transit systems in the world, and you need to ride your bike, why? Then you carry your bike on the trains and take up too much room. KEEP THE BIKES OFF NEW YORK CITY STREETS. NOT WANTED NOT WELCOME NOT HELPING!!!
5
Polly Trotenberg, NYC transportation commish. displays the cluelessness so typical of today's politicians/bureaucrats: "We need to turn to the most efficient modes, that is, transit..." The transit system is collapsing due to the criminal neglect by our so-called 'leaders.' The article even quotes bike riders who said they bought bikes because the transit system is so unreliable. But the city fathers and mothers still bleat..."mass transit, mass transit."
Sickening.
Sickening.
As to Citi Bikes, shouldn't the vendor be required to provide the option of helmets or are NYC's already crowded emergency rooms going to be responsible for theses head injuries?
1
I just moved here from Chicago. So glad that the NYC bicyclists are not yet as obnoxious as the Chicago bikers. I see very few bikes on the sidewalks compared to Chicago, but I'm sure the bikers here will become just as aggressive and entitled as the Chicago bikers. Chicago bikers demanded bike lanes all over the city, and then refuse to ride in them, preferring the sidewalks for their own safety. Blasting down super busy sidewalks, weaving in and out of dog walkers, the elderly, the blind, etc. They never obey any traffic signals either. The city refuses to ticket or enforce traffic laws for bikes. Once there is a critical mass of bike riders, beware pedestrians...
3
As a former New Yorker from an era that was truly NEW YORK (1970-1990), I find present day New York a more dangerous place, reason: Bicyclists!!! They are obnoxious, reckless, careless and at times criminal. As a former police officer, I investigated 10 traffic accidents involving and resulting in Bicyclists fatalities; all 10 were the fault of the cyclists. While recently visiting NYC, a pedestrian has a great chance of being struck by reckless bicyclists; as a pedestrian crosses he or she looks north and south then north again, only to be struck by the rider who is traveling southbound on a northbound lane. Riders erroneously believe they need not adhere to any traffic laws and rules concerning pedestrian safety. They fly through red lights, attempt to overtake 18 wheeler trucks while it is turning and whiz by the elderly as they cross. In short Bicyclist are a nuisance and their inconsiderate manners are tantamount to criminal behavior. I suggest for any bicyclists who strikes and injures a pedestrian, who is lawfully crossing, should be arrested for assault, recklessly injuring a person. To me Bicyclists do not enhance quality of life but diminish it and threaten the safety of all pedestrians; between delivery bicyclists, messengers and the recreational rider, all have contribute to the decline of the quality of life. Ticketing is not a deterrent; arresting and placing speed bumps curbing their reckless action is in order. NYC was safer in the 70's and 80's
6
As the city gets denser (and this goes for every city) it makes good fiscal and common sense to prioritize funding and space or bike and pedestrian infrastructure and for mass transit and to reduce the amount of space and money that goes to car and truck infrastructure. NYC could use thousands more miles of protected bike lanes and wider sidewalks in many areas.
5
I love using Citi Bike to commute from NY Penn to my job on the east side. I just wish that there was better consistency with bike availability for the am and pm commutes. In the a.m. there are barely any bikes available before 7:30am by NY Penn, but the bikes magically appear just after rush hour (just in time for tourist). In the pm rush hour the converse is true, the bike docks are packed until around 7pm when they magically disappear again. Surely there has to be a better way to accommodate the members/daily commuters and get the tourist $.
2
It always amazes me that we in North America always feels we have to "reinvent the wheel" when dealing with new types of transport infrastructure. The fact that the Dutch have bicycle travel completely figured out seems to be overlooked or discounted by the burgers of our cities generally, and New York particularly.
7
This now passes for reporting in the New York Times:
Daniel Kayton, a real estate broker, walked alongside a bike lane on First Avenue all the way from the East Village to Harlem last year to conduct an informal survey of whether it had harmed businesses and endangered pedestrians. The answer was a resounding yes, he said. “You’re turning Manhattan upside down and inside out to accommodate a handful of bicyclists and activists,” he said. “Ride your bikes, enjoy your life, but leave the rest of us alone.”?
One real estate broker does an "informal survey" and opines that the bike lane has harmed businesses and pedestrians. So there.
Daniel Kayton, a real estate broker, walked alongside a bike lane on First Avenue all the way from the East Village to Harlem last year to conduct an informal survey of whether it had harmed businesses and endangered pedestrians. The answer was a resounding yes, he said. “You’re turning Manhattan upside down and inside out to accommodate a handful of bicyclists and activists,” he said. “Ride your bikes, enjoy your life, but leave the rest of us alone.”?
One real estate broker does an "informal survey" and opines that the bike lane has harmed businesses and pedestrians. So there.
1
It wasn't represented as anything but a personal opinion. You didn't take it seriously. Why think anyone else would?
Because not all readers are as smart as you or I
:)
:)
1
"conducting an informal survey" on the entire length of First Avenue purports itself to be more than just some guy's opinion. It implies some weight of fact, and therefore should have come with evidence, if there is indeed any.
1
I've ridden a bike in NYC for 40+ years and still do. I am also a driver and pedestrian. We need some regulation of bikers (e.g., impound bikes of riders who go the wrong way on bike lanes or streets; fines); motorized bikes need to be licensed, required to have lights and travel with motorized cars; more street agents should be assigned to warn or fine jaywalking and serious traffic violations - not randomly but in situations where someone could get hurt - as well as an education campaign; we need more protected bike lanes and fewer cars (congestion pricing and parking stickers for residents; the limits on parking spots in office and residential buildings need to be significantly raised so more cars get off the streets); black cars need to dispatched with an Uber like system so they are not double parked (often in bike lanes) with engines idling; and the city should establish a user-generated data base of dangerous drivers that the police need to monitor.
11
The only thing the driver of an automobile, cyclist or pedestrian will respect is imminent contact with a truck.
Want proof? Carry around a $5 airhorn to help prevent collisions, as I have done. Better that than a blood stain, whether yours or theirs.
Want proof? Carry around a $5 airhorn to help prevent collisions, as I have done. Better that than a blood stain, whether yours or theirs.
Given the sorry state of the NYC subway system it won't be long until rickshaw drivers will be in short supply.
1
I am for more bikes than cars. However, if you stand on the corner of W.72 and CPW between 5 and 7PM you will see 75% of bikers going through red lights. They weave in and out of pedestrians crossing CPW with some yelling at the walkers to move. When I have visitors from out of town asking about crime I reassure them that is less a problem than selfish bikers. When the established laws, rules don't matter we have chaos. The police should set up at W.72 and CPW and start handing out tickets.
7
You couldn't PAY me to ride a bike in NYC! Unlike Amsterdam, bike lanes are not clearly separated and NYC drivers (especially cabs) are too aggressive and disrespectful of bike lanes. Add to that, NYC bikers are just as rude and disrespectful - they never stop at a red light and give you the finger if you point that out. New Yorkers - and I mean BOTH bikers and drivers - need to learn manners and consideration for others before I will even consider riding a bike here.
4
So of course deBlasio has excused the NYPD from ticketing cars in bike lanes (vs letting the NYPD go all out to ticket cyclists as much as it can get away with).
I walk and I ride. There are many more pedestrians who walk in the streets; in the bike lanes; who step out into traffic (both bicycle and auto/taxi/etc vehicles); who bury their heads in their phones and don't look where they are going, than the scofflaw cyclists so demonized.
Most of the time people co exist nicely.
I have waited for space to make a turn while riding, turned in a safe manner impeding no one and been screamed at.
I have called out to people walking the wrong way in the street and in the bike lane...and been cursed at by men and women. Doubt this? Go to 8th Avenue in Manhattan late afternoon and count the people walking as I described. EVERY DAY.
Pedestrians walk as if entitled constantly...against the light...against the flow of traffic...everywhere.
There needs to be a great deal of educatin' and it is not only cyclists who need be schooled.
Most of the time people co exist nicely.
I have waited for space to make a turn while riding, turned in a safe manner impeding no one and been screamed at.
I have called out to people walking the wrong way in the street and in the bike lane...and been cursed at by men and women. Doubt this? Go to 8th Avenue in Manhattan late afternoon and count the people walking as I described. EVERY DAY.
Pedestrians walk as if entitled constantly...against the light...against the flow of traffic...everywhere.
There needs to be a great deal of educatin' and it is not only cyclists who need be schooled.
9
Wow. Leave it to the New York Times to somehow imply that cycling is destructive to city life. That photo in the middle of the article with a guy popping a wheely with the bikes laying in the street. I mean come on. With more cycling, there is: Less space needed for huge roads and parking spaces, Less pollution, less loud honking horns, more physical fitness for residents. The reality is that nyc needs more people to opt for cycling. The trains are a mess, and cars are just not a practical way to get your average nyc resident from point a to point b.
4
Um, also confirmed that yes the bike lane adjacent to the Westside Highway is in fact bi-directional, meaning that's yet another photo accompanying this article which shows bicyclists breaking the law--absent any mention of the law breaking by the Times.
1
Love bikes, used to ride everywhere, but quit after the 3rd time I was hit (stopped at a light, on a sunny day, in a big red parka, by a man who said he never saw me). I ended up in the hospital with a head injury on Christmas Eve, he went home. That said, the number of cyclists on the sidewalk, going the wrong way on one-way streets, blowing through lights is a pestilence to pedestrians.
6
As a recent transplant to Manhattan,
As a recent transplant to Manhattan, I travel the city by the oldest carbon free method available - I WALK - Now will mayor DeBlasio and others in charge PLEASE protect me from the cyclists who ignore traffic lights, use the sidewalks and the delivery services whose motorized bikes may be illegal and but are concerned with prompt service and have no compunction about entering a dense group of walkers risking injury if not worse to them.
Automobiles seem like a minor hazard compared to the reckless conduct of these folks. How many bicycle deaths (of prominent individuals, most likely) before this conduct is reined in? Pedestrians vote too.
As a recent transplant to Manhattan, I travel the city by the oldest carbon free method available - I WALK - Now will mayor DeBlasio and others in charge PLEASE protect me from the cyclists who ignore traffic lights, use the sidewalks and the delivery services whose motorized bikes may be illegal and but are concerned with prompt service and have no compunction about entering a dense group of walkers risking injury if not worse to them.
Automobiles seem like a minor hazard compared to the reckless conduct of these folks. How many bicycle deaths (of prominent individuals, most likely) before this conduct is reined in? Pedestrians vote too.
9
I wholeheartedly agree! I always wait on the sidewalk for the red light and wait for the cars to come to a full stop. Then I need to look at the bike lanes to decide whether a bicyclist will decide to stop at the light or will go through it. I think those riding bikes in a congested city like NY, should receive a permit in order to be accountable for traffic laws, violations and accidents.
6
It is very cheap and easy for any Mayor to pander to the urban-ecological vote by painting some lines in the street and call that a "bike lane". No plans or studies, no real separation between motorized traffic and bicycles and of course a total disregard for pedestrians. We are not cool enough.
1
The Citi Bike PR people must be in constant contact with the NY Times.
5
May I remind you of this video by Casey Neistat? :)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ&index=1&list=PLTHOlL...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzE-IMaegzQ&index=1&list=PLTHOlL...
Spent a year without a car, commuting and in addition taking up to 900-mile. trips by bike, cycling over 10,000 mi. that year in the 1990s. Discovered there are always a few drivers of cars and pick-up trucks who are best described as "bicycle predators"--evil characters who go out of their way to intimidate and even kill or injure cyclists. For some strange reason the sight of a cyclist on "their" road sends such predators into fits of rage. With such an uneven vehicle-to-bicycle weight ratio, these demented drivers--almost always fairly young (under 40) and male--pose a criminal menace to cyclists. Because they are obviously cowards who target relatively defenseless victims as their prey, bicycle predators are most dangerous when they are least likely to be observed by other drivers, cyclists or pedestrians who might serve as witness to their criminal deeds.
Any cyclist who rides a lot of street miles will testify to the existence of this treacherous sub-species of humanoids. There is no doubt they are responsible for many dead cyclists in any given year, particularly in those incidents where there are no witnesses. For this reason where there are no witnesses to a bicycle-vehicle encounter resulting in injury or death, and especially if it involves hit-and-run, when a driver is identified he should be tried for murder and required to overcome a presumption of guilt.
Any cyclist who rides a lot of street miles will testify to the existence of this treacherous sub-species of humanoids. There is no doubt they are responsible for many dead cyclists in any given year, particularly in those incidents where there are no witnesses. For this reason where there are no witnesses to a bicycle-vehicle encounter resulting in injury or death, and especially if it involves hit-and-run, when a driver is identified he should be tried for murder and required to overcome a presumption of guilt.
1
My problem with bicyclists in Manhattan, is that they make it more difficult for pedestrians to cross the street. I patiently wait for the car traffic to stop at the red light before crossing the street. At that time, I am more in danger of being hit by a bicyclist who doesn't think the red light applies to them. Perhaps those who prefer to ride bicycles in NYC traffic should receive some kind of permits that make them accountable for possible traffic offenses and/or accidents.
5
Bike riders make better drivers, and drivers make better bike riders. I cannot speak to pedestrians as they are simply unpredictable, and best kept at great distance from one's trajectory regardless of mode of transportation.
1
For all the Amsterdam lovers in this comment section, if cyclists there were behaving like most of the cyclist here behave, they would face fines and even jail time. I guess NYC cyclists want all the fun and none of the responsibilities.
8
I don't see a single admirer of Amsterdam. Personally I think they've messed up on balance. Pedestrians are at the bottom of the totem pole.
If you had the same cycling infrastructure as Amsterdam people would "behave".
Crossing streets as a pedestrian, even when you have the right-of-way, is often perilous in NYC and, in too many cases, traffic police exercise their authority and their "ignorance" to encourage flow of vehicles and treat pedestrians as an impediment.
Now that cyclists have joined the mix en masse (and with the sanction of the latest City Administration), there is no place left that offers any safety to pedestrians. Cyclists ride on the sidewalks; they zoom through crowded crosswalks; they ride against traffic; they generally act as if they have some moral superiority and sanctioned right to ignore the laws and ride roughshod over everyone.
Because New York police will not enforce even the simplest traffic laws as they apply to cars, trucks and buses, it is no wonder they ignore the gross violations of the majority of City cyclists.
Frankly, I think bicycles should be banned --- at least within Manhattan --- between the hours of 6AM and 9PM, with huge fines for violations.
Now that cyclists have joined the mix en masse (and with the sanction of the latest City Administration), there is no place left that offers any safety to pedestrians. Cyclists ride on the sidewalks; they zoom through crowded crosswalks; they ride against traffic; they generally act as if they have some moral superiority and sanctioned right to ignore the laws and ride roughshod over everyone.
Because New York police will not enforce even the simplest traffic laws as they apply to cars, trucks and buses, it is no wonder they ignore the gross violations of the majority of City cyclists.
Frankly, I think bicycles should be banned --- at least within Manhattan --- between the hours of 6AM and 9PM, with huge fines for violations.
9
It's great that NYC wishes to encourage cycling; but as many others have already said, the city's continuing failure to educate cyclists about the rules of the road, or to enforce those rules against cyclists who flout them, endangers everyone: cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers. This isn't a trivial issue. Riding on the sidewalk; riding the wrong way in bike lanes and in the main roadway; speeding through red lights when there are pedestrians in the crosswalk; etc., etc. A public information campaign could be conducted effectively with relatively little effort; and traffic cops could certainly enforce the VTL where cyclists are concerned. Clearly, the city lacks the political will to do either.
6
Until the NYPD is prepared to enforce existing laws on ALL VEHICLES (including bicycles), all biking outside of approved bicycle lanes should be banned. If a car is driven on the sidewalk, the driver is summoned. If a car is driven thru a red light, the driver is summoned. If a car is purposefully driven the wrong way down MULTIPLE STREETS, the driver is summoned. Yet bicyclists do all of these things (and far worse) with impunity. Most people who are have mobility problems or are visually impaired routinely have close calls (or worse) with bicyclists who are flouting existing laws. And when a collision does occur, the bicyclist typically gets up, dusts themselves off, and goes on their merry way without so much as an apology. That's called "leaving an accident", and it is a crime. The next time I see a bicycle delivery person creating havoc on the sidewalk, I fully expect to intervene, and watch out when that happens. It's not going to be a pretty sight for both the cyclist and their bike.
8
Mr. Gera:
This is not to defend the illegal actions of a cyclists, but an explanation of why the police rightfully focus their attention on unsafe and illegal driving. The damage that can be done by a 2 ton car, 53' tractor trailer or a NYC bus that goes through a red light or makes a left turn or travels at high speed into pedestrians is far greater than the damage that can be done by a cyclist. All drivers (including cyclists) should obey the law, but the potential impact of illegal or unsafe driving of a car or truck is exponentially greater than the damage that a cycle can do.
Here are some facts for you:
From 2002 through 2016, 2345 pedestrians were struck and killed by motor vehicles in NYC. Over the same period 10 pedestrians were struck and killed by cyclists. That's a total of 2355 too many deaths, but over 99.5% were caused by vehicles.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/nycdot-pedestrian-fatalities-b...
This is not to defend the illegal actions of a cyclists, but an explanation of why the police rightfully focus their attention on unsafe and illegal driving. The damage that can be done by a 2 ton car, 53' tractor trailer or a NYC bus that goes through a red light or makes a left turn or travels at high speed into pedestrians is far greater than the damage that can be done by a cyclist. All drivers (including cyclists) should obey the law, but the potential impact of illegal or unsafe driving of a car or truck is exponentially greater than the damage that a cycle can do.
Here are some facts for you:
From 2002 through 2016, 2345 pedestrians were struck and killed by motor vehicles in NYC. Over the same period 10 pedestrians were struck and killed by cyclists. That's a total of 2355 too many deaths, but over 99.5% were caused by vehicles.
http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/nycdot-pedestrian-fatalities-b...
2
The article claims "biking remains perilous" but then cites just one fatality. How many people would have to die in auto accidents before your coverage claimed that riding in a car remains perilous?
3
As an ex bike messinger from the early 70's (proud Can Carrerier) I can tell you unequivocally that it is the duty of all bikers to take it amongst themselves to teach manners and to correct inappropriate behavior
when it comes to pedestrians, taxis and limo drivers. I must say NYC bus drivers definitely have their act together. Ride hard.
when it comes to pedestrians, taxis and limo drivers. I must say NYC bus drivers definitely have their act together. Ride hard.
3
I wish I could enjoy riding in New York City more. Yesterday I tried to cycle from First Avenue over to Central Park, but I had to turn around because the cross town streets at 77th and 78th streets -- designated as crosstown routes -- were so horribly potholed, and with crevices and obstacles -- made a simple ride absolutely hazardous. Trying to dodge these road dangers made me a target for the cars also trying to use the road. If a street is going to be designated for bike usage -- make it safe for riders to use. I'm taking my bike to the Jersey shore instead.
4
There should be a tailpipe pollution tax.That way,there would be incentives for drivers to buy electric or start biking themselves.No one should be forced to breathe others' pollution without some compensation.
3
Yes!
1
Lots of bike hating going on in these comments! As a cyclist AND a pedestrian, I see both sides. Yes, pedestrians should have the right of way, but they should also not wander down the center of the bike lane looking at their cell phones, or step out into an intersection without looking for a bike in the same way they would a car.
Cyclists should yield to pedestrians when they have the right of way (and not curse at them, as I've witnessed numerous times), and should also ride where a pedestrian should be expected to look out for them - in a bike lane / street going the correct direction. Not on a sidewalk. I will admit to doing these bad behaviors on occasion (like to get to a Citi Bike station or to avoid a cobbled street), and when I do I go extra slow and give pedestrians extra space because I know I'm not where I should be.
When it comes to running red lights .... pedestrians jay walk all the time. Bikes aren't cars, and I think should be permitted to go through red lights after stopping / slowing and using caution - and giving peds in the cross walk the right of way.
Cyclists should yield to pedestrians when they have the right of way (and not curse at them, as I've witnessed numerous times), and should also ride where a pedestrian should be expected to look out for them - in a bike lane / street going the correct direction. Not on a sidewalk. I will admit to doing these bad behaviors on occasion (like to get to a Citi Bike station or to avoid a cobbled street), and when I do I go extra slow and give pedestrians extra space because I know I'm not where I should be.
When it comes to running red lights .... pedestrians jay walk all the time. Bikes aren't cars, and I think should be permitted to go through red lights after stopping / slowing and using caution - and giving peds in the cross walk the right of way.
15
One thing that would help improve improve cyclists obeying the law would be to write laws that recognize they aren't just another type of car. Idaho has done this and it has reduced both accidents and improved compliance.
5
When I have the right-of-way to cross in my pedestrian lane, I should not HAVE to look out for either a bike or a car (and, at least.cars are only coming from one direction --- bikers go in any direction they find most convenient).
I appreciate your highlighted courtesy, although, in fact, the law requires you to walk the bike (not ride it) if you find you must intrude on sidewalks (or progress in the opposite direction of traffic).
Red lights are red lights. I vehemently disagree with your "cycle-centric" reinterpretation of law. When a pedestrian violates that law, they place themselves at danger; when a cyclist does so --- because if they are watching for anything, it will be for cars with the right-of-way --- he/she is endangering vulnerable pedestrians (and does not care, because I have NEVER heard/seen a cyclist apologize for a near-miss or stop when they have knocked someone down).
I appreciate your highlighted courtesy, although, in fact, the law requires you to walk the bike (not ride it) if you find you must intrude on sidewalks (or progress in the opposite direction of traffic).
Red lights are red lights. I vehemently disagree with your "cycle-centric" reinterpretation of law. When a pedestrian violates that law, they place themselves at danger; when a cyclist does so --- because if they are watching for anything, it will be for cars with the right-of-way --- he/she is endangering vulnerable pedestrians (and does not care, because I have NEVER heard/seen a cyclist apologize for a near-miss or stop when they have knocked someone down).
4
If you are a pedestrian struck down by a cyclist, you will feel as if it were "just another type of car".
The same laws apply to pedestrians; "special" laws for cyclists is no answer.
The entire State of Idaho has only the same population as the (residential) population of Manhattan. In the daytime, Manhattan has twice the active population of all of Idaho. Meanwhile, Idaho's population is dispersed over 84,000 sq. miles, whereas Manhattan's is condensed into 23 sq. miles. Any contention that laws that govern cycling in Idaho are comparable to those necessary in Manhattan is untenable.
The same laws apply to pedestrians; "special" laws for cyclists is no answer.
The entire State of Idaho has only the same population as the (residential) population of Manhattan. In the daytime, Manhattan has twice the active population of all of Idaho. Meanwhile, Idaho's population is dispersed over 84,000 sq. miles, whereas Manhattan's is condensed into 23 sq. miles. Any contention that laws that govern cycling in Idaho are comparable to those necessary in Manhattan is untenable.
1
I rarely see a bicyclist stop for a red light except in heavily trafficked areas. I see bikes going the opposite direction in the bike lanes and against traffic on non-bike lane avenues. On the sidewalk as well. If you want a bike friendly city, then start by obeying traffic laws. And by the way, wear a helmet!
6
I see so many cars running red lights and using cell phones.Much worse for the biker,in a crash with a car.
3
If you want people to bike in an orderly fashion, build high quality bike infrastructure! Before and after studies show compliance improves when things like bike lanes and bike signals are installed.
And, by the way, especially when biking is safe, riding without a helmet is just fine, and it's not gonna help you any if someone hits another part of your body anyway.
And, by the way, especially when biking is safe, riding without a helmet is just fine, and it's not gonna help you any if someone hits another part of your body anyway.
3
It is not our (non-cyclists') responsibility to "build high quality [sic] bike infrastructure" to ensure that "people bike in an orderly fashion". It is the responsibility of cyclists "to bike in an orderly fashion" in the first place. Then, maybe, those of us who live ur lives on foot, in wheelchairs, and with canes, crutches and walkers with be interested in assisting you.
Bike signals? There are some around the City; but cyclists ignore them as well as the standard signals. Urban cyclists, in general, have a culture of privilege and self-righteousness that means they honestly believe that the laws do not apply to them.
Bike signals? There are some around the City; but cyclists ignore them as well as the standard signals. Urban cyclists, in general, have a culture of privilege and self-righteousness that means they honestly believe that the laws do not apply to them.
4
Cycling is great for many reasons. Walking is great for equal reasons except you don't need a vehicle.
Many people can't ride because of age (either too old or too young) health, balance and other health that would prohibit safe biking.
I think if all the cyclists were on the subways they would be even more of a mess. Take note that during snow storms,rainy flood soaked, or very frigid days the subways are extremely over crowded.
It is time to make as small a ecological footprint in an over crowded city.
And while I am on the subject, how about a campaign to bring the Sound Down? That is the number one complaint to 311.
Cyclists need to be educated, licensed and courteous. I am starting a safe defensive walking program to let them know that the cowboy like atmosphere that they THINK exists for cyclists has to be stopped for their safety and that of pedestrians.
Many people can't ride because of age (either too old or too young) health, balance and other health that would prohibit safe biking.
I think if all the cyclists were on the subways they would be even more of a mess. Take note that during snow storms,rainy flood soaked, or very frigid days the subways are extremely over crowded.
It is time to make as small a ecological footprint in an over crowded city.
And while I am on the subject, how about a campaign to bring the Sound Down? That is the number one complaint to 311.
Cyclists need to be educated, licensed and courteous. I am starting a safe defensive walking program to let them know that the cowboy like atmosphere that they THINK exists for cyclists has to be stopped for their safety and that of pedestrians.
1
We're watching all this from Hoboken, too, where there's a steady increase of users in our bike share program and cyclists who commute to the PATH for work. Mayor Zimmer has done amazing work to create more bike lanes and safer streets and she knows the personal cost of a hit and run. Except for a few, our City Council bends over backwards to the drivers who want to keep their $15/yr on-street parking and who fight vigorously against bike lanes even though motorists win when there are more cyclists and less cars on the road. Safe streets advocates also lost the municipal battle to have the main street redev incorporate a protected bike lane even though it would advantage local businesses the most. Another recent example of the backwardness: a City Councilman complained of the "hot mess" on the main street where 4 bump-outs were being added at a busy intersection. He claimed that 4 rather than 2 was "extreme." The bump-outs were added upon recommended by traffic-safety engineers.
1
Why does it matter that the cyclist that was killed was riding a bike from the bike share program? It's not like the bike killed him. He was just riding a bicycle that was provided by the corporate naming rights john's bike share program. Of course the bank probably does not want that association but only the ones of folks signing up for memberships.
And as someone mentioned,WEAR A HELMET every time you get on a bike. You buckle up with the seatbelt when you get in a motor vehicle, right? Ok, if you don't, don't blame me when your injuries in a crash are more severe than if you had been buckled up. Same with the helmet, you only have one head, treat it right.
And it seems that nyc is not the only place where the bike share bikes are plastered with corporate logos. The Windy City's bikes have at least one logo on them. I wasn't able to find out what divvy really means or how it's tied to the insurance behemoth.
For those of you who are wondering where you can go on a bike tour, go and check out adventure cycling association's bike routes. I can vouch for their Trans America Bicycle Trail, as I have already ridden it once (as well as on a previous trip, where I just did half of the 4500 or miles).
And as someone mentioned,WEAR A HELMET every time you get on a bike. You buckle up with the seatbelt when you get in a motor vehicle, right? Ok, if you don't, don't blame me when your injuries in a crash are more severe than if you had been buckled up. Same with the helmet, you only have one head, treat it right.
And it seems that nyc is not the only place where the bike share bikes are plastered with corporate logos. The Windy City's bikes have at least one logo on them. I wasn't able to find out what divvy really means or how it's tied to the insurance behemoth.
For those of you who are wondering where you can go on a bike tour, go and check out adventure cycling association's bike routes. I can vouch for their Trans America Bicycle Trail, as I have already ridden it once (as well as on a previous trip, where I just did half of the 4500 or miles).
1
Increasingly, cyclists in the city AND in the suburbs believe that they own the road. In my town, they ride down the road right in the middle, competing with motorized vehicles for the same space. And heaven forbid if you should expect that they should yield to cars, or move over to the curb if they cannot maintain the posted speed limit. You'll get the middle finger, or you'll just be ignored by the cyclist as he or she continues on their merry traffic obstructing way.
5
The entitlement oozes in this comment.
Firstly, a motorist and a cyclist are road users. Motorists don't own the road, period, no discussion.
Secondly, Blocking positions are taught in driver's education to ensure the safety of the 2 wheeled road user against dangerous overtaking.
Thirdly , that posted speed is a maximum, not a minimum. Minimums apply to limited access highways, not city streets.
If anyone wonders why a cyclist maintains a blocking position, this comment should clear it up.
Firstly, a motorist and a cyclist are road users. Motorists don't own the road, period, no discussion.
Secondly, Blocking positions are taught in driver's education to ensure the safety of the 2 wheeled road user against dangerous overtaking.
Thirdly , that posted speed is a maximum, not a minimum. Minimums apply to limited access highways, not city streets.
If anyone wonders why a cyclist maintains a blocking position, this comment should clear it up.
9
Cyclists should be licensed. The blatant disregard of traffic laws (going through red lights, riding on sidewalks, riding the wrong way in bike lanes) has made pedestrians more at risk than ever. This happens all over the city and these violations are met with impunity. It should not be without a penalty, as the pedestrians the cyclists hit are left high and dry as the perpetrator rides off without the threat of a 'hit and run' penalty.
22
If they leave the scene of the accident is still a hit and run. However, finding them is another issue. Completely agree with you with the licensing of these people.
2
Fact is motor vehicles kill, and nothing else. Almost the only way another road user is killed by a pedestrian or cyclist is if an automobile is involved.
Pedestrian and cyclist behaviour don't impact mortality rates. The only factor that changes mortality rates is how well drivers obey the law, and more than obey the law, behave as if any error by themselves or anyone else could cost a life. You can imagine any scenario you like, the numbers are in.
It may be galling to you but it doesn't matter if pedestrians or cyclist break the rules, as a matter of fact. The more bicycles there are the safer the streets. That's what the evidence shows. So make them register perhaps, but only to give them a tax credit for saving the city millions.
And drivers can chill out and take it easy behind the wheel or stay off the road with their lethal weapon.
Pedestrian and cyclist behaviour don't impact mortality rates. The only factor that changes mortality rates is how well drivers obey the law, and more than obey the law, behave as if any error by themselves or anyone else could cost a life. You can imagine any scenario you like, the numbers are in.
It may be galling to you but it doesn't matter if pedestrians or cyclist break the rules, as a matter of fact. The more bicycles there are the safer the streets. That's what the evidence shows. So make them register perhaps, but only to give them a tax credit for saving the city millions.
And drivers can chill out and take it easy behind the wheel or stay off the road with their lethal weapon.
2
As one of your pictures shows, a lot of bicyclists think that the sidewalks are bike lanes. Unfortunately, there is essentially no one to enforce the law regarding this as traffic cops say it isn't their duty to do so so unless you find a real police officer at the time it is occurring, you're out of luck if you're hit by a bicycle on the sidewalk as, unlike with licensed cars, there is no way to identify who hit you.
4
Here in DC we are building out the infrastructure as well. We also get static from drivers, but the pretty obvious truth is that our cities are no longer able to function on the 'each person in his own car' model. It's too expensive in money, space, and aggravation. Compared to walking, cycling expands the distances you can travel easily by many times.
4
Is the best the NYT can do to try to ensure a 'balanced report' to quote the unsubstantiated one-man survey findings of a realtor who, according to his realtor profile, used to be in the restaurant business, doesn't bike and obviously has an anti-bike agenda?
If there are sound reasons for not promoting urban cycling, then cite the published research in the peer reviewed journals
If not, then please don't try to Donald Trump us.
If there are sound reasons for not promoting urban cycling, then cite the published research in the peer reviewed journals
If not, then please don't try to Donald Trump us.
3
Biking NYC's streets is fun! Let's make it safer
5
The USA still has a long way to go. Portland leads the nation, with over four times as many bike commuters per capita as New York. Let's keep working on this.
4
Until Liberals decide its to dangerous to ride a bike and try to force everybody to walk...
1
I find it odd or perhaps reprehensible that the fact that 18 cyclists were killed last year in our city is buried at the end of this panegyric to cycling as though it's the cost of progress. I'm not opposed to bicycles but surely its dangers must be made more apparent.
2
By their very nature, bicycles are less dangerous than cars. A human being atop a 15 lb vehicle with a top speed of 30 mph can cause a lot less damage than a human being in a 2,000 lb vehicle with a top speed over 100 mph. I do have a car in NYC, and I bike when I can to work. Thanks to Robert Moses, a hundred other city officials and the concerted efforts of the oil/automobile industries, our city is organized very well for cars. Pedestrians, bicyclists and others have been disadvantaged for decades, whatever small steps we're taking towards making bicyclists more welcome on the streets are long overdue.
7
Rhode Island, though having relatively few bicyclists and very little on-road bike infrastructure, nevertheless has seen persistent anti-bike pushback, even blocking expansion of some of our wonderful off-road bicycle paths.
I think one reason for the fierce anti-bike advocacy is that bike opponents know in their hearts that bicyclists have a superior lifestyle - healthier, less polluting, less expensive - so its a psychological defense to react in anger when they they want to persist in their unhealthy polluting ways.
I think one reason for the fierce anti-bike advocacy is that bike opponents know in their hearts that bicyclists have a superior lifestyle - healthier, less polluting, less expensive - so its a psychological defense to react in anger when they they want to persist in their unhealthy polluting ways.
4
The Dept of Transportation needs to do more than just expand bike lanes and Citi Bike stations. One-way bike lanes need to be clearly marked as one-way. Cyclists need to be reminded to observe red lights and direction of traffic, and to stay off sidewalks. If the problem is tourists (doubtful!), post reminders at Citi Bike stations. If the problem is delivery cyclists, notify restaurants that their deliverers must obey these laws.
I live on a one-way street with a bike lane, around the corner from a one-way avenue with a protected bike lane. The Chinese restaurant on my block has constant deliveries; their personnel only use the sidewalk, to the peril of the many little kids and elderly who live here. I'm not even sure these delivery guys, who don't seem to speak English, even know they are doing something wrong.
Around the corner, the protected bike lane is more hazardous to pedestrians than the cars. Bikes whiz by in both directions, through red lights, in both the car lanes and the bike lane; we have to hesitate and look both ways once for each segment.
Cycling is good for the city and the riders. Members of my family are enthusiastic cyclists. But the development of a cycling culture should have included more emphasis on the bike riders' awareness of traffic rules. It is not too late. Police enforcement, and citations of businesses whose delivery personnel violate rules wouldn't hurt.
I live on a one-way street with a bike lane, around the corner from a one-way avenue with a protected bike lane. The Chinese restaurant on my block has constant deliveries; their personnel only use the sidewalk, to the peril of the many little kids and elderly who live here. I'm not even sure these delivery guys, who don't seem to speak English, even know they are doing something wrong.
Around the corner, the protected bike lane is more hazardous to pedestrians than the cars. Bikes whiz by in both directions, through red lights, in both the car lanes and the bike lane; we have to hesitate and look both ways once for each segment.
Cycling is good for the city and the riders. Members of my family are enthusiastic cyclists. But the development of a cycling culture should have included more emphasis on the bike riders' awareness of traffic rules. It is not too late. Police enforcement, and citations of businesses whose delivery personnel violate rules wouldn't hurt.
11
I would like to see more biking in NYC but only if we make changes that treat bikes like cars because bikes are VEHICLES. I want bikes to be an inexpensive mode of transportation but unless changes are made to have license plates on bikes so that just like a car they can be identified on a camera or by police you are always going to have a huge majority of rule breakers because as of now they can't be caught. Also because you don't need a license to ride a bike we don't force people to learn the rules of the road and require them to know those rules before going out. I have almost been hit as a pedestrian by bikers more times than I can count (multiple times per week) that are running red lights, riding on sidewalks, stunt riding, you name it.
5
Better still, classify pedestrians by law as two-legged vehicles and force all pedestrians to have rego plates on them at all times. I can't count the number of times that I've been assaulted, mugged and attacked by pedestrians over the years. Now, if they'd just had plates on them, then it would have made it so much easier to report them to the cops.
3
What is consistently missing from these bike use articles is the other infrastructure: social infrastructure. That's what Northern European nations have created with their strict liability (motorist held liable for collisions regardless of right of way issues to encourage them to pay attention), automated traffic law enforcement, extensive training requirements for licensing and such. The physical infrastructure actually wouldn't work without those social infrastructure features.
In the US, one small city did once implement part of that formula Zero-tolerance traffic enforcement was a central feature of the then Bicycling Capital of the World (Davis, CA) in the 1970's and early 1980's. This resulted in a bike modal share that, while never actually counted, was clearly on the order of 70% or higher. When the city abandoned traffic law enforcement, Davis dropped almost to the lousy bike use typical of the US.
Imagine how undesirable driving would be if you got a citation for every violation and lost your license after just a few of them?
In the US, one small city did once implement part of that formula Zero-tolerance traffic enforcement was a central feature of the then Bicycling Capital of the World (Davis, CA) in the 1970's and early 1980's. This resulted in a bike modal share that, while never actually counted, was clearly on the order of 70% or higher. When the city abandoned traffic law enforcement, Davis dropped almost to the lousy bike use typical of the US.
Imagine how undesirable driving would be if you got a citation for every violation and lost your license after just a few of them?
3
I am a weekend bike rider in NYC. And because I ride, I am more AWARE of bikers when I walk and when I drive! I can anticipate bikers coming through the bike lane as I would expect cars to drive through car lane. Bike lane is not extension of sidewalk, a lane to linger or check your phone. If you treat it as separate entity, it works and it is here to stay! Also common sense in all of us..if you are driving behind out of the state driver and you know there is complicated exit coming up (you know it because you live here)...you would slow down, giving visiting driver time to make correct choice and wish them well. If you see tourist bikers on wrong direction at the park or on sidewalk, give them few minutes to figure it out. Appreciate that they love the city as much as we do instead of just sitting it out and watching. Bikers, you are not on RACE on public space, don't take yourself so seriously. You are only important because you are part of our share society and you've contributed something to create a beautiful harmony.
13
Although not a New Yorker, I see the same trend there, where I live. I wish one could still be able to ride a horse, a horse-driven carriage and a motorcycle with a sidecar.
1
There are basically two cohorts of people that bike.
The professionals (mostly white) that use it to keep in shape and working class people such as food delivery, etc.
I mention this because if it was not for Michael Bloomberg and his disdain for cars and his professional health background he would not have considered bike lanes for his fellow white professionals to bike around NYC.
NYC for years has had the need to have bike lanes ... as the MTA fares increase and subway lines do not run to areas of NYC not yet gentrified.
Soon the real question, if successful, is who has the right of way of bikes - the professional class that could take the subway to work or the working masses that need to bike out of necessity - current and future. And will the city planners focus on areas like South Queens, most of the Bronx where riding a bike is dangerous rather than bike lanes and Citi Bike drop off/pick up sports in Park Slope, Upper East Side.
Many in South Queens, the Bronx etc would love to ride a bike to and from a subway - but it is unsafe and bike storage is an issue (nothing like getting off the train and your bike is gone or parts stolen).
To be truly transform NYC we need to address all of NYC not just the needs of the professional class that uses the bike as an option.
The professionals (mostly white) that use it to keep in shape and working class people such as food delivery, etc.
I mention this because if it was not for Michael Bloomberg and his disdain for cars and his professional health background he would not have considered bike lanes for his fellow white professionals to bike around NYC.
NYC for years has had the need to have bike lanes ... as the MTA fares increase and subway lines do not run to areas of NYC not yet gentrified.
Soon the real question, if successful, is who has the right of way of bikes - the professional class that could take the subway to work or the working masses that need to bike out of necessity - current and future. And will the city planners focus on areas like South Queens, most of the Bronx where riding a bike is dangerous rather than bike lanes and Citi Bike drop off/pick up sports in Park Slope, Upper East Side.
Many in South Queens, the Bronx etc would love to ride a bike to and from a subway - but it is unsafe and bike storage is an issue (nothing like getting off the train and your bike is gone or parts stolen).
To be truly transform NYC we need to address all of NYC not just the needs of the professional class that uses the bike as an option.
9
Bloomberg was so far removed from reality that is was / is downright frightening. He wants NYC to be another Paris, not going to happen. Too many cars, trucks esp. for deliveries. This from a man who rode the subways for photo ops or basically one stop or take his jet to any one of his many residences around the world. And to make things better sold NYC out to his rich developer friends like de blasio is doing. Like I said Bloomie is completely out of step with the rest of us working poor.
May I remind anybody that NYC used to be a great city for walking, and walking is far more ecological that biking?
Try strolling leisurely in the sidewalk now.
Try strolling leisurely in the sidewalk now.
11
I all for less cars on the streets. But between cars taxis trucks small room for error for me to ride in traffic.
2
My favorite place to ride a bicycle is in downtown SF, between the cabs and the like. However, UBER and LYFT drivers are horrible. But the cabbies and the trucks never imperil me.
Let's move NYC cycling to the next level so children and older adults can cycle safely, and we can reach 2,000,000 daily bike trips. I know people in their 70s who split their years in Belgium and the US; the former they always bike, but in the US they never bike. Time to change this in NYC.
NYC's Protected Bike Lanes (PBLs) need more protection and width, especially at intersections. Put the lanes on raised curb like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, and put an end to mixing zones (aka "bullying zones"). Make PBLs the standard on all major avenues and streets, so a true cycling network exists as big as the motorist network.
One-way PBLs on avenues are an artifact of motorist engineering, and just silly for cycling. (Imagine if sidewalks were one-way.) Time to make all major avenue PBLs wider and two-way.
Key side-streets need to replace parking lanes with PBLs, and all streets without PBLs need speed humps to lower motorist speeds to <20mph. (20mph is the threshold when people hit by motorists start dying at increasingly higher rates).
Trottenberg is right; we have limited space on our streets. So end free parking in the city to dis-incentivize car storage and increase turnover in spaces, and implement MOVE-NY Fair Toll Plan to discourage people from driving into the city. (For many, it costs more to take regional rail than to drive & park on-street.) Restrict delivery trucks to low-traffic times, and encourage bicycle delivery.
NYC's Protected Bike Lanes (PBLs) need more protection and width, especially at intersections. Put the lanes on raised curb like Copenhagen and Amsterdam, and put an end to mixing zones (aka "bullying zones"). Make PBLs the standard on all major avenues and streets, so a true cycling network exists as big as the motorist network.
One-way PBLs on avenues are an artifact of motorist engineering, and just silly for cycling. (Imagine if sidewalks were one-way.) Time to make all major avenue PBLs wider and two-way.
Key side-streets need to replace parking lanes with PBLs, and all streets without PBLs need speed humps to lower motorist speeds to <20mph. (20mph is the threshold when people hit by motorists start dying at increasingly higher rates).
Trottenberg is right; we have limited space on our streets. So end free parking in the city to dis-incentivize car storage and increase turnover in spaces, and implement MOVE-NY Fair Toll Plan to discourage people from driving into the city. (For many, it costs more to take regional rail than to drive & park on-street.) Restrict delivery trucks to low-traffic times, and encourage bicycle delivery.
23
I actually hate separated, elevated biking lane from the cycling perspective, like they put on Sherbourne in Toronto.
Say, you have a nice family that rides a nice, family bike with the kid in the trailer. Problem is, they ride sloooooowly, and create a sort of a traffic jam. On a regular lane, it's possible to overtake them, but on the elevated lane, you need to be extra cautious not to get hit by a car - or not to lose balance when jumping back and forth over this barrier.
Secondly, as it turns out, those nice, separated bike lanes do a really good job of keeping cars out - to the point that it's impossible to snow plow them. As a result, they are sporadically cleaned for long stretches, and you know what's even better than going back and forth on a bike over an elevated barrier? Going over an elevated barrier with snow and ice on it!
I biked for a good decade and a half in Toronto before moving to suburbs, and for what it's worth, all these bike lanes are for people who actually don't commute by bike, but more like weekend cyclists who'd do it for fun on weekends. Quite often, they are bad drivers - not in a sense that they are slow, but in a sense that they like "bike driving" skills and create bad traffic, and, if anything, I'd rather have bike roots on small streets with stop sign traffic and no elevated or separated bike lanes on major roads: they only slow me down.
Say, you have a nice family that rides a nice, family bike with the kid in the trailer. Problem is, they ride sloooooowly, and create a sort of a traffic jam. On a regular lane, it's possible to overtake them, but on the elevated lane, you need to be extra cautious not to get hit by a car - or not to lose balance when jumping back and forth over this barrier.
Secondly, as it turns out, those nice, separated bike lanes do a really good job of keeping cars out - to the point that it's impossible to snow plow them. As a result, they are sporadically cleaned for long stretches, and you know what's even better than going back and forth on a bike over an elevated barrier? Going over an elevated barrier with snow and ice on it!
I biked for a good decade and a half in Toronto before moving to suburbs, and for what it's worth, all these bike lanes are for people who actually don't commute by bike, but more like weekend cyclists who'd do it for fun on weekends. Quite often, they are bad drivers - not in a sense that they are slow, but in a sense that they like "bike driving" skills and create bad traffic, and, if anything, I'd rather have bike roots on small streets with stop sign traffic and no elevated or separated bike lanes on major roads: they only slow me down.
1
Kids in Palo Alto, California ride about twenty five on their smaller bicycles to school. The Bay Area wants to charge bicyclists a toll fare to cross the Golden Gate Bridge. Harrump.
- Cyclist must be identifiable and insured
- Cyclists must obey traffic laws
- Sidewalks are for pedestrians
- Cyclists must obey traffic laws
- Sidewalks are for pedestrians
20
-Pedestrians must obey traffic laws
-Buses must obey traffic laws
-Buses must obey traffic laws
3
I'd sure love to see all motorists obey traffic laws and all carry adequate insurance Shall we ban driving because most of the motoring public refuses to obey the law?
When someone is killed by a cyclist, it's a man-bites-dog story because it is so rare (one per year or less), but motorists slaughter over 100 Americans each and every day while sending another 10,000 to hospitals. And then there's that whole pubic health thing from sedentary lifestyles and the fact that the foul emissions from cars kills another 150 Americans each day. I believe I would rather face hordes of scofflaw cyclists than our current car-caused roadway nightmare.
When someone is killed by a cyclist, it's a man-bites-dog story because it is so rare (one per year or less), but motorists slaughter over 100 Americans each and every day while sending another 10,000 to hospitals. And then there's that whole pubic health thing from sedentary lifestyles and the fact that the foul emissions from cars kills another 150 Americans each day. I believe I would rather face hordes of scofflaw cyclists than our current car-caused roadway nightmare.
6
^^^ Amen to that S.G. But the first two will never happen.
1
NYC is starting to resemble Portland, Seattle, Montreal, or Vancouver--and a few other N. American cities that have really embraced the bicycle; its a long way to Copenhagen or Amsterdam, but its a really good start.
11
Bike lanes are fine for 1/3 of the year and for the relatively young and physically fit. For the rest of the year and the rest of us they are more than a nuisance. They have robbed us of a great deal of needed travel space in the streets, cause mischief on the sidewalks and are a traffic hazard. Fine for Amsterdam, perhaps but a misguided policy for New York. It was imposed upon us by a paternalistic Mayor who never rides a bike, but is limousined wherever he needs to go.
11
I ride all year round, except in snow and heavy rain. Not one single lane of traffic has been removed to accommodate a bike lane. Single lanes were narrowed or shoulder/parking space reclaimed. And I'm not sure how sidewalks are more dangerous - I don't see how a cyclist would ride on the sidewalk if there's a bike lane available. Traffic is gridlocked most of the week, parking is scarce or insanely expensive, mass transit capacity is at the breaking point, and NYC is too big for people to walk where they need to go. Either we accommodate more cyclists or the city stops moving, literally.
9
"They have robbed us of a great deal of needed travel space in the streets."
I'd argue that streets were "robbed" at the beginning of the last century, when they were converted from public spaces to spaces where only motorists were welcome. From that perspective, creating space in the street for bicycles and other forms of transportation is a small step toward returning the streets those from whom it was robbed.
I'd argue that streets were "robbed" at the beginning of the last century, when they were converted from public spaces to spaces where only motorists were welcome. From that perspective, creating space in the street for bicycles and other forms of transportation is a small step toward returning the streets those from whom it was robbed.
5
Cycling helps keep you fit. Cycling helps you get fit.
Jeanne Calment, the world's oldest person, who died at the age of 122, cycled regularly until she was a hundred.
'The French had their own theories about why she lived so long, noting that she used to eat more than two pounds of chocolate a week, treat her skin with olive oil, drank port wine and rode a bicycle until she was 100.'
https://www.supercentenarian.com/oldest/jeanne-calment.html
Jeanne Calment, the world's oldest person, who died at the age of 122, cycled regularly until she was a hundred.
'The French had their own theories about why she lived so long, noting that she used to eat more than two pounds of chocolate a week, treat her skin with olive oil, drank port wine and rode a bicycle until she was 100.'
https://www.supercentenarian.com/oldest/jeanne-calment.html
1
Traffic rules aren't perfect and don't model the real world. That's because they are meant to be simple to follow by reflex in a split second, to ensure that automobiles don't kill everyone else.
The consequence is that despite the "neutral" language they undeniably favour automobile road use to the detriment of every other user. As with much of human endeavour, this lopsided equation has means those rules are routinely flouted by ALL road users from pedestrians to cyclists to motor vehicles of all sizes (and lethality).
To recap, rules have the (ostensible) goal of saving lives and make no mistake, automobiles kill, while in all but the rarest of occasions, cyclists and pedestrians don't. In that environment, bigger is better and might is right on the road. This explicit mortal threat is internalised by drivers in the form of entitlement to the road. Mild transgressions of traffice rules by any user can lead to grievous injury or death.
But what happens when the "rules "don't apply? No one gets to have that sense of entitlement. Drivers slow down, behave predictably, and are more aware of their surroundings. And fewer people are killed and injured. Period.
And that is exactly whay happens when cyclists flood the roadways. plummet not just for cyclists, but for pedestrians as well.
Regardless of cyclist behaviour that is what the evidence shows each and every time another. Better automobile driving means fewer deaths, simply because deaths are caused by motor vehicles.
The consequence is that despite the "neutral" language they undeniably favour automobile road use to the detriment of every other user. As with much of human endeavour, this lopsided equation has means those rules are routinely flouted by ALL road users from pedestrians to cyclists to motor vehicles of all sizes (and lethality).
To recap, rules have the (ostensible) goal of saving lives and make no mistake, automobiles kill, while in all but the rarest of occasions, cyclists and pedestrians don't. In that environment, bigger is better and might is right on the road. This explicit mortal threat is internalised by drivers in the form of entitlement to the road. Mild transgressions of traffice rules by any user can lead to grievous injury or death.
But what happens when the "rules "don't apply? No one gets to have that sense of entitlement. Drivers slow down, behave predictably, and are more aware of their surroundings. And fewer people are killed and injured. Period.
And that is exactly whay happens when cyclists flood the roadways. plummet not just for cyclists, but for pedestrians as well.
Regardless of cyclist behaviour that is what the evidence shows each and every time another. Better automobile driving means fewer deaths, simply because deaths are caused by motor vehicles.
12
Shut up, Woody Allen.
10
Urban biking is great. Only way to bring order to aggressive cycling is to ticket bikers. It's humiliating to be "pulled over" on a bike, but a hefty fine will get any cyclist's attention as it did mine...Second, you are all beautiful people with great hair, but won't you please wear a helmet when biking in the USA (or anywhere)!
6
They do in California. I have been in Court over it.
The big dumbness of most bicyclists in California who do not read the Bicycle Laws is that the Bicycle is a DEVICE, not a moving vehicle, and therefore, a moving violation or what ever violation made by the bicyclists cannot be marked on a ticket for motor vehicles. So, you don't give your California Driver's License to a police officer, you give them a passport. All keen and educated bicyclists in California know this one. Otherwise your bicycling record will adversely affect your motor vehicle record when it cannot.
The big dumbness of most bicyclists in California who do not read the Bicycle Laws is that the Bicycle is a DEVICE, not a moving vehicle, and therefore, a moving violation or what ever violation made by the bicyclists cannot be marked on a ticket for motor vehicles. So, you don't give your California Driver's License to a police officer, you give them a passport. All keen and educated bicyclists in California know this one. Otherwise your bicycling record will adversely affect your motor vehicle record when it cannot.
shame upon anyone who criticizes bikers without first criticizing the dirtier, louder, more dangerous, lazy, petrol dependent, space occupying, road rage-raucous-honk obsessed, speeding scofflaws behind the wheels of NYC's cabs and cars and freight. Woody Allen, you disappoint me. Daniel Kayton, you do NOT surprise me.
40
Um, this is an article about BIKING.
2
I've ridden bicycles in cities all over the world and have a few observations: Once you have large numbers of women riding bicycles, you know you have a reasonable, and reasonably safe, bike lane system. Second, when a system is safe and popular, it attracts riders who are less aggressive and more likely to obey traffic laws. Third, these two characteristics will encourage more riders and more public support.
19
Thanks for reporting on this important topic. I bike commute with my 3 year old son in Brooklyn and am always amazed by two things: how safe it is (compared to 5 years ago riding solo) and how dangerous it is. We've come a long way, but there is still so far to go.
It's not safe to ride with a child and won't be until we stop relying on the good will of drivers to keep us safe. We need protected infrastructure. Why not make Bergen Street just for bikes? We need big changes.
It's always amazing to me that parking and traffic congestion take priority over the actual lives of the people on bicycles. How can we be so callous?
It's not safe to ride with a child and won't be until we stop relying on the good will of drivers to keep us safe. We need protected infrastructure. Why not make Bergen Street just for bikes? We need big changes.
It's always amazing to me that parking and traffic congestion take priority over the actual lives of the people on bicycles. How can we be so callous?
32
I too would bicycle if the city would enforce the traffic laws, specifically aggressive taxi drivers. The State Legislature needs to toughen the laws so when a taxi murders a pedestrian in a crosswalk or a bicyclist in the bike lane, they get more than a "failure to yield" ticket
5
Riding last week's annual RAGBRAI (Bike Across Iowa), I kept meeting up with Brooklyn bikers. So glad there's a vibrant bicycling culture in heavily urbanized NYC. So glad folks were able and inclined to spend a week wheels on the ground here in fly-over country.
2
As a former Elected Bicycle Commissioner to one of California's most densely bicycled municiaplities, whose Commission was one step higher than most Town Council Committees, and who became a Vice Chair of that Commission ( eight commissioners in all) and who assisted in the advocacy for bicycle lanes and safety in SF County through petition, not Critical Mass, and who attends transportation bicycle meetings,
JUST ONE THING.. WHERE IS YOUR HELMET!!!!
I have one gig issue, Without a head helmet that is secure, and fit, and won't move up across a forehead to expose the frontal lobes of the bike rider's brain upon collision, Bicycle riding any where in Urban or off road mountains is perilous.
Every time I see a photograph of people wheeling bicycles in an urban environment I become depressed.
In Sacramento's downtown, one square mile, each and every corner and sidewalk and cross walk has a record of a pedestrian and or bicycle death.
WEAR YOUR BICYCLE HELMET. BUY A GOOD BICYCLE HELMET. REMOVE THE PLASTIC VISOR.
JUST ONE THING.. WHERE IS YOUR HELMET!!!!
I have one gig issue, Without a head helmet that is secure, and fit, and won't move up across a forehead to expose the frontal lobes of the bike rider's brain upon collision, Bicycle riding any where in Urban or off road mountains is perilous.
Every time I see a photograph of people wheeling bicycles in an urban environment I become depressed.
In Sacramento's downtown, one square mile, each and every corner and sidewalk and cross walk has a record of a pedestrian and or bicycle death.
WEAR YOUR BICYCLE HELMET. BUY A GOOD BICYCLE HELMET. REMOVE THE PLASTIC VISOR.
6
Helmets are a factor in 2% of biking accidents. They protect you if you fall on your head, sometimes, and that's it. I wear a helmet myself and I also recommend them, but this obsession with helmets* clouds the issue. Over-aggressive and distracted drivers and insufficient cycling infrastructure are far more dangerous than a piece of foam on your head.
(* every news item about a cycling accident seems obliged to mention if the rider was wearing a helmet. This includes the tragedy in June where the cyclist was pulled under a bus. Not sure what helmet is available that can withstand the weight of a bus.)
(* every news item about a cycling accident seems obliged to mention if the rider was wearing a helmet. This includes the tragedy in June where the cyclist was pulled under a bus. Not sure what helmet is available that can withstand the weight of a bus.)
5
Helmets are dumb, they provide a false sense of security, and reduces bike participation, the more bikes the safer it is, so bike participation trumps.
1
Anyone who maintains the notion that bicycle helmets worn whenever and whereever bicycling occurs is unnecessary has not seen the aftermath of a bicycle and moving vehicle collision, met a person who is permanently brain impaired, stood over an athlete who was in a coma for a month and a half, or met any number of professional bicyclists who know that without a helmet on her or his head, death from the slightest fall will result in serious trauma and or death.
1
I am an avid cyclist in New York City. This city *does* have a bad cycling culture. But it also has a bad pedestrian culture and a bad driver culture. This last one is the culture that gets more people killed and maimed.
This city also has a bad subway riding culture. Why do all of these groups of people act so ashamedly? It is because New Yorkers (and our visitors from New Jersey) do not respect each other. New Yorkers each individually believe their own time is most valuable and each individually believe they are always innocent in their actions. ("Nobody will care if I blow this red light." "Honking will definitely make this traffic go faster." "I really need to respond to this text while crossing the street." And on and on and on).
Despite living in one of the densely populated places on earth, New Yorkers do not think about the people immediately around them. They don't think how their impulse action might affect the people crossing the street or who have to push their way through the blocked subway car doors.
The problem isn't bikes vs. pedestrians vs. cars. The problem is respect and lack thereof.
This city also has a bad subway riding culture. Why do all of these groups of people act so ashamedly? It is because New Yorkers (and our visitors from New Jersey) do not respect each other. New Yorkers each individually believe their own time is most valuable and each individually believe they are always innocent in their actions. ("Nobody will care if I blow this red light." "Honking will definitely make this traffic go faster." "I really need to respond to this text while crossing the street." And on and on and on).
Despite living in one of the densely populated places on earth, New Yorkers do not think about the people immediately around them. They don't think how their impulse action might affect the people crossing the street or who have to push their way through the blocked subway car doors.
The problem isn't bikes vs. pedestrians vs. cars. The problem is respect and lack thereof.
89
Cars traveling at 20 MPH the wrong way on one way streets are common?
This is sure what you've implied, but it's a fiction.
Thing about pedestrians, and it's a law of nature, they have less momentum than bicycles in motion.
"Despite living in one of the densely populated places on earth, New Yorkers do not think about the people immediately around them."
Yes, you've demonstrated this quality quite clearly with the invention about cars speeding the wrong way down one way streets, the way bicycles do with great frequency.
This is sure what you've implied, but it's a fiction.
Thing about pedestrians, and it's a law of nature, they have less momentum than bicycles in motion.
"Despite living in one of the densely populated places on earth, New Yorkers do not think about the people immediately around them."
Yes, you've demonstrated this quality quite clearly with the invention about cars speeding the wrong way down one way streets, the way bicycles do with great frequency.
Bike paths, like nature paths (especially when combined) are one of the few things that are the difference between a liveable city and the crowded, polluted, impersonal mega trash dumps that are becoming the urban world. Hopefully, we will, as a society, start to reduce our population to make our cities, country and world more liveable and clean. In the mean time, I hope the New Yorkers will get: helmets, lights and dingers to make their commutes safer for everybody.
3
Bikes are here to stay. Get use to it.
10
Follow the rules of the road..........and get used to them.
(1) cars are the real killer. bikes don't kill pedestrians. cars kill them by the hundred every year.
(2) free on-street parking is the biggest joke in public policy.
(2) free on-street parking is the biggest joke in public policy.
31
It would be nice if Citibike advocated to their members additional safety tips. Each day we all watch riders with headphones on both ears where Citibike riders are oblivious to state road rules. Such a missed opportunity by Ctibike to put up PSA signs at kiosks, and educate riders of the laws. Additionally, after you dock an email telling you NOT to wear ear buds in both ears, and a discount for a helmet would be nice or coupon.
4
As usual, I rode a Citi Bike from midtown to the West side this morning, typically a 12 minute trip. I stopped for every red light. I braked for 8 pedestrians who decided to cross mid-block, against the light, often ignoring my warning bell. Sure there are some jerk cyclists out there, but there are many more pedestrians who make the street dangerous for the cyclists and drivers.
50
NYC pedestrian culture is noticeably unique when you travel to other cities where pedestrians obey the law. I was in Portland OR a few years back and saw people standing on the corner waiting for the light to change and there were NO cars on any streets. It felt really awkward to NOT j-walk!
1
I am always stunned to see a cyclist stop at a red light--far more don't than do--which makes getting across the street (in the crosswalk, with the light) a hazard to this 71-year-old woman.
Thing about pedestrians in motion, they have a lot less momentum than you do while in motion on a bicycle. Not a physical law you can set aside.
I'm glad you obey the bicycle laws, doesn't mean that about 1/3 of bicyclists don't frequently endanger pedestrians in NYC.
I'm glad you obey the bicycle laws, doesn't mean that about 1/3 of bicyclists don't frequently endanger pedestrians in NYC.
A few daredevil cyclists still insist on running red lights and texting while riding (no hands on handlebars, both hands on phone). You probably do need wide lanes for bikes to account for people swinging their car doors open, but losing a car lane for bikes probably increases car travel times and with it car pollution. I also wonder if fire and ambulance response times are up because cars can't pull off to the right.
There's definitely an anti-car message being sent when bike racks are place in the street in what once were parking spaces, which forces cars to circle the block more times and increases pollution.
There's definitely an anti-car message being sent when bike racks are place in the street in what once were parking spaces, which forces cars to circle the block more times and increases pollution.
While you're not wrong about less parking causing potentially more emissions in the short run, the argument you seem to be making ("making parking easier, and therefore making it easier for people to drive reduces emissions") breaks down pretty quickly.
3
No. I'm saying you can increase the number of bike racks without decreasing the number of parking spots. The emissions thing is a minor point. Putting bike racks in the street sends an anti car message. If you're going to tell me subtly and unsubtly that you don't want me to drive to your neighborhood to shop, then I won't go to your neighborhood. No problem. And good luck to the merchants there. And taking up parking spots in densely packed residential neighborhoods is just plain rude.
I don't understand the hostility from car and truck drivers. I drive primarily these days, but for every bike on the road there is one less car and that means less congestion for me. Drivers who are against bikes is just another one of the many current instances of people against their own best interests. I am flummoxed.
13
If the efforts to make bicycling easier and safer in New York continue, the following things will happen: bicycling will explode in popularity, New York's air will be become cleaner, the streets will become quieter and safer, and New Yorkers will become happier and healthier. Car drivers will continue to whine and moan the entire time and even manage to beat back some of the progress, but it will all be in vain as more and more people realize the benefits.
11
Much of the traffic in NYC comes from commercial - delivery, construction, service etc vehicles.
There has been a big increase in traffic due to e-commerce - instead of people walking to a store, people get stuff delivered by truck (Amazon, Fresh Direct etc)
There has been a big increase in traffic due to e-commerce - instead of people walking to a store, people get stuff delivered by truck (Amazon, Fresh Direct etc)
4
Interesting....
I ride Citibikes for almost all my errands in good weather and I like that not only is it good for the environment but also it takes me there more quickly relative to walking and to cabs but with less aggravation, at a lower cost cost and I get some cardio to boot. At night or when I can't be sweaty then I take a Lyft. When I am really in a rush and give it time I take the subway. If I have a heavy bag and I see a yellow cab with its light on then I would take a cab. I might take the bus if I am bringing visitors from overseas who have time to kill and we all want to see some sights. I use Amtrak or Trailways bus to go out of town by myself (I don't like driving long distances). If my hubby joins me we drive in the car. So you see every mode of transportation is useful.
Ms Winnie Hu, it might be an interesting subject to investigate: why does Citibike charge so much (I believe $9.00 for a 24-hour period; and my annual fee is being raised to about $200 from $75 last year). We were in Paris last month. Their Velib bikes cost one euro for a 24-hour period and something like 7 euros for a weekly pass. So of course we opted for the weekly pass even though we went away for a 48-hour period. Even with some instances when we were late returning my bike, my total charge for the whole week was only 12 euros. Do the very wealthy totally subsidize their services like public transportation? If so let us adopt France's taxation system!
I ride Citibikes for almost all my errands in good weather and I like that not only is it good for the environment but also it takes me there more quickly relative to walking and to cabs but with less aggravation, at a lower cost cost and I get some cardio to boot. At night or when I can't be sweaty then I take a Lyft. When I am really in a rush and give it time I take the subway. If I have a heavy bag and I see a yellow cab with its light on then I would take a cab. I might take the bus if I am bringing visitors from overseas who have time to kill and we all want to see some sights. I use Amtrak or Trailways bus to go out of town by myself (I don't like driving long distances). If my hubby joins me we drive in the car. So you see every mode of transportation is useful.
Ms Winnie Hu, it might be an interesting subject to investigate: why does Citibike charge so much (I believe $9.00 for a 24-hour period; and my annual fee is being raised to about $200 from $75 last year). We were in Paris last month. Their Velib bikes cost one euro for a 24-hour period and something like 7 euros for a weekly pass. So of course we opted for the weekly pass even though we went away for a 48-hour period. Even with some instances when we were late returning my bike, my total charge for the whole week was only 12 euros. Do the very wealthy totally subsidize their services like public transportation? If so let us adopt France's taxation system!
2
Interesting discussion about transportation choices and usage.
Would be interesting for the NY Times to report on this as well.
Are cyclists also using Uber, Lyft etc? Subway? Etc.
Would be interesting for the NY Times to report on this as well.
Are cyclists also using Uber, Lyft etc? Subway? Etc.
It's pretty telling that this article came out in the middle of summer; however, winter bike lanes tell a different story.
1
When will bike riders be required to register their vehicles so they can be identified, and get insurance for them!
4
When literally every single roadway and bridge crossing statewide has a protected bike lane. When bicyclists can travel anyway safely in all towns and country roads. Then let's talk about registration. But by the time that happens, many decades from now, bike share will be more commonplace than ownership, thus replacing the need entirely for registering and insurance.
7
When people on bikes are killing and maiming Americans at a similar rate to that which people in cars are, then and only then should we consider some sort of mandatory insurance and registration scheme. Considering the relative energies involved, I'm not even sure that's possible.
4
I've always been a bike rider, I believe that they more bikes on the road the safer every one is. I'm also a Citibike member, even though my neighborhood in Queens has no docks. I use it once in a while and it's always really convenient.
My issue is that it's ancient technology, having been in China recently, I became a fan of Mobike, their bikes are GPS and app enabled, and they're very convenient, I follow them on social media, and they're spreading all over the world (recently in the UK, and Italy). I hope we welcome this company to compete with Citibike. This city needs a flexible share bike system, and the dock system is outdated.
My issue is that it's ancient technology, having been in China recently, I became a fan of Mobike, their bikes are GPS and app enabled, and they're very convenient, I follow them on social media, and they're spreading all over the world (recently in the UK, and Italy). I hope we welcome this company to compete with Citibike. This city needs a flexible share bike system, and the dock system is outdated.
4
It's interesting how the complaints against bicyclists/bike lanes cite transgressions that for eons were the purview of the daily battle between automobiles and pedestrians. In the absence of bikes, peds and drivers would be campaigning against stroller terrorism.
In the past year, I have met with three pedestrians IN a bike lane. Two ran out between parked vehicles and rather hit me. The other wandered into the 1st Ave lane with his head up his smart phone and in an effort to avoid I crashed and suffered scrapes and contusions. The guy was fine but stunned. In all these cases the pedestrians admitted fault, apologized, and we all moved on to our next NYC moment.
We can ALL do better! EVERYONE has to be smarter, considerate and aware of their surroundings. But the fact remains that the weight displacement of a bike vs. a car starts at about a ton. Had I been a vehicle those individuals at fault would be in the ER or worse, the morgue.
In the past year, I have met with three pedestrians IN a bike lane. Two ran out between parked vehicles and rather hit me. The other wandered into the 1st Ave lane with his head up his smart phone and in an effort to avoid I crashed and suffered scrapes and contusions. The guy was fine but stunned. In all these cases the pedestrians admitted fault, apologized, and we all moved on to our next NYC moment.
We can ALL do better! EVERYONE has to be smarter, considerate and aware of their surroundings. But the fact remains that the weight displacement of a bike vs. a car starts at about a ton. Had I been a vehicle those individuals at fault would be in the ER or worse, the morgue.
28
My wife and I have put off buying a car because of the proliferation of bike lanes. It makes it easy to go grocery shopping, take our two kids to school and activities, get to work and just get around in general. When we do need a car, we use Zipcar. The only word I can use to describe this is "freedom." We save tons of money, never have to waste time searching for parking, see more of the city than we ever thought was possible, and even get a little exercise.
The city should keep encouraging the growth of cycling and other car-free transportation options. It might encourage people who move here that they don't need a car for day-to-day life.
The city should keep encouraging the growth of cycling and other car-free transportation options. It might encourage people who move here that they don't need a car for day-to-day life.
34
I've noticed that tourists are a big problem - biking on the sidewalks and walking in the bike lanes.
12
Cyclists also bike in crosswalks. There needs to be an ongoing public information campaign about rules of the road.
1
The police have to ticket that. In the snooty areas of the Bay Area ie Palo Alto, people take the bicycle lanes on the roads when all that does is expose them to death.
A pedestrian in California law (Highway and Safety) is not the intended user of the road.
Until the Police issue tickets, all you have are class wars.
A pedestrian in California law (Highway and Safety) is not the intended user of the road.
Until the Police issue tickets, all you have are class wars.
I sure miss my bike. I had one for 25 years (I lived in NYC for 28). Most of the time it was a custom fit Bianchi Road bike my ex-wife helped me with a lot when purchasing (she is an engineer)/ I had front (and rear, if need be) saddle bags; 4 total. (3) water holders (I used "Arctic Ice" containers with holders, which keep the water ice cold for hours,plus loads of other amenities.
It would have lasted a lifetime for me; however, I was forced to sell almost everything I owned last year. The business I co-founded and later owned had a 40% drop in gross in 2010; this after over 2 decades of growth.
We shrank the company, but I ultimately failed to keep it going, and was forced to sell out in 2015.
Like everyone else, but especially fellow New York City dwellers, on 9/11, I watched the entire tragedy from the rooftop of my building on Forsyth Street. (this is located in lower Manhattan). My new bride and I had just recently moved form a tiny apartment in a fabulous neighborhood (I had lived there over a decade) in Soho. It was rent stabilized ($400+ change when I moved in in the late 1980's and still only $485/month in 2000 when we let it go to get a larger apartment in Bay Terrace, Bayside, Queens so we could have children.
My point is, millions of others were on foot, walking over bridges. Thank god I had my Bianchi; I rode it 12+ miles home. I rode it on a regular basis then. *Note: This was years before "Citi Bikes" appeared. Please excuse all my digressions.
It would have lasted a lifetime for me; however, I was forced to sell almost everything I owned last year. The business I co-founded and later owned had a 40% drop in gross in 2010; this after over 2 decades of growth.
We shrank the company, but I ultimately failed to keep it going, and was forced to sell out in 2015.
Like everyone else, but especially fellow New York City dwellers, on 9/11, I watched the entire tragedy from the rooftop of my building on Forsyth Street. (this is located in lower Manhattan). My new bride and I had just recently moved form a tiny apartment in a fabulous neighborhood (I had lived there over a decade) in Soho. It was rent stabilized ($400+ change when I moved in in the late 1980's and still only $485/month in 2000 when we let it go to get a larger apartment in Bay Terrace, Bayside, Queens so we could have children.
My point is, millions of others were on foot, walking over bridges. Thank god I had my Bianchi; I rode it 12+ miles home. I rode it on a regular basis then. *Note: This was years before "Citi Bikes" appeared. Please excuse all my digressions.
1
Stop population growth, quit encouraging more people to move to the city. Uncontrolled growth is unsustainable.
Southern California suffers similar problems with developers and constriction companies making money while taxpayers have to pay for infrastructure improvements.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8895...
Southern California suffers similar problems with developers and constriction companies making money while taxpayers have to pay for infrastructure improvements.
http://www.sacbee.com/news/politics-government/capitol-alert/article8895...
5
Among the benefits of cycling cited in this article are convenience and efficiency. As a woman who rides a bicycle for daily transportation in New York City, these benefits top my list. You can get more done in less time and with greater freedom (not to mention a welcome endorphin boost) when you're untethered from crowded subways or from sitting in traffic. Those are the advantages of cycling in the city that I'd most like to convey to other women who might be thinking about adding "life in the bike lane" to their day.
8
1. Citibike is insane expensive (espcially given the free advertising they get). How can Paris offer Velib for 29Euros a year while Citibike wants $169?
2. Bikers have made Manhattan much more dangerous to walk in. It would be fine if bikers used the lanes taxpayers have provided, but far too many do not. And those that do are more often than not going the wrong way and/or fail to stop at red lights. This city sorely needs more ticketing of bike riders.
2. Bikers have made Manhattan much more dangerous to walk in. It would be fine if bikers used the lanes taxpayers have provided, but far too many do not. And those that do are more often than not going the wrong way and/or fail to stop at red lights. This city sorely needs more ticketing of bike riders.
10
Those using bikes or walking already face an implicit death penalty for infractions, on top of the threat of injury or death for the infractions by others who are using cars. Ticketing will not help anything and demonstrably has no impact, only discouraging useful measures. What is known to reduce behaviors like jumping red lights or salmoning is improved bike and pedestrian infrastructure.
1
Citibike is way too cheap for yearly subscribers (less than 50 cents per day) and too expensive $(12 per day) for the occasional casual rider! If the subway was priced like that it would have to shut down in weeks!
Ticket jaywalkers, too, and you'll balance the city's budget in six months.
1
What? No mention of Minneapolis, and our Greenway bike highway? For shame! We have all the same drama here. 30-year-old bike paths that are 18 inches wide from the curb won't cut it anymore. There are too many of us.
If you want bike traffic to obey the law, make legal lanes all over the city. That's the argument in Minneapolis (voted a year or so ago as America's #1 Biking City). Bikers from NYC -- come visit! Our downtown has decent lanes and we have tons of trails within the city limits.
If you want bike traffic to obey the law, make legal lanes all over the city. That's the argument in Minneapolis (voted a year or so ago as America's #1 Biking City). Bikers from NYC -- come visit! Our downtown has decent lanes and we have tons of trails within the city limits.
3
NYC bike commuter here - coming to visit Minneapolis' bike routes for the 30 mile bike tour in September. Can't wait. Host more bike tours and events to get more bike tourism to you fantastic city.
1
[[Valerius Minneapolis
What? No mention of Minneapolis, and our Greenway bike highway?]]
Look at the top of the page...the story is in the NY/Region section of the site. It's not a national story.
What? No mention of Minneapolis, and our Greenway bike highway?]]
Look at the top of the page...the story is in the NY/Region section of the site. It's not a national story.
1
New bike commuter here...the big dangers I have seen occur when e-bikes use bike lanes (especially on the bridges and protected lanes) and those bike rental outfits whose shops on 9th Ave. clog the bike lanes with tourists who have no idea what they are doing. These folks have not studied their route to get to Central Park, they ride the wrong way up the streets, and once they get into the park after riding them through the pedestrian zones in Columbus Circle, they either go the wrong way on the park frives or ride them on the pedestrian paths there. In short, most of the non cyclists are non-commuters.
As for Amsterdam and other European cities, you better know where the bike lanes are, because the cyclists there expect pedestrians to stay out of their lanes. It's great to get around as a cyclist, but they do 'play for keeps.'
As for Amsterdam and other European cities, you better know where the bike lanes are, because the cyclists there expect pedestrians to stay out of their lanes. It's great to get around as a cyclist, but they do 'play for keeps.'
3
Amsterdam and the Netherlands' well established history of cycling is born of both economic necessity and a flat (though windy) country.
I love Amsterdam. I've been a couple of dozen times (no I don't smoke weed) and although visiting by bicycle is dream, adapting to cyclists there is no better than to motorised traffic elsewhere : a scourge.
The demonstrated safety benefits of shared road use are not principally a feat of engineering ie road barriers separating users. It is comes from tearing down the sense of entitlement of all road users.
The Netherlands flouts this empirically demonstrated principle and hence is hardly an exportable model to modern traditionally non cycling countries. NYC and Paris are more fitting.
I love Amsterdam. I've been a couple of dozen times (no I don't smoke weed) and although visiting by bicycle is dream, adapting to cyclists there is no better than to motorised traffic elsewhere : a scourge.
The demonstrated safety benefits of shared road use are not principally a feat of engineering ie road barriers separating users. It is comes from tearing down the sense of entitlement of all road users.
The Netherlands flouts this empirically demonstrated principle and hence is hardly an exportable model to modern traditionally non cycling countries. NYC and Paris are more fitting.
4
Simple math, the more people that ride bikes instead of cars in cities the cleaner and quieter the cities will be. Plus, the people will be healthier and health care costs will go down. It's a win-win.
26
I am all for biking but many bikers in NYC simply do not comply with rules and are a real safety hazard to other bikers, pedestrians and even cars! They don't obey stop signs, they don't use the bike paths, they ride on the sidewalk, etc. I have been nearly run down and then cursed out by bikers on several occasions. They want the "respect" that drivers get but don't want to comply with the rules.
11
True, better policing makes better neighbors (thank you Robert Frost).
1
This happens in every City - SF and Sacramento. The other tragic side is that here in California Bicyclists have killed innocent pedestrians even in a crowd. They have been prosecuted for homicide.
Your comment implies that drivers comply with the rules, or at least that they comply better than bikers.
If that is true, why do bikers kill zero people per year, but drivers kill over 200?
Here's the thing: nobody follows all of the rules all of the time. Drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. But only one of these groups actually kill people when the rules are broken, and that's drivers. Focus your disdain on them.
If that is true, why do bikers kill zero people per year, but drivers kill over 200?
Here's the thing: nobody follows all of the rules all of the time. Drivers, bikers, and pedestrians. But only one of these groups actually kill people when the rules are broken, and that's drivers. Focus your disdain on them.
1
If there has been such an increase in bike lanes,why are there seemingly even more bikers on the sidewalks? Don't get me wrong: I love to bike. I bike in the countryside and go on biking vacations. But I don't think that biking has solved any transportation problems. Rather I think it has added to the chaos. New York used to be a great walking city. Now it has become dangerous for pedestrians. There are people biking on the sidewalks, some weaving in and out, some on motorized bikes, some with a bike lane just a few feet away. And if sidewalks are no longer safe, crossing the street is a free for all. No longer is the threat from cars. You have to look both ways because bikers do not respect any laxly enforced rules about going in the direction of traffic(one way bike lanes), or yielding the right of way. Often after they have just barely missed running you over, they yell at you for getting in their way. This situation is dangerous, stressful and detracts from the quality of life in the city. It should not be terrifying to walk on the sidewalk and cross the street. And all I hear is how great and forward thinking this is. To me this is government sponsored urban terrorism.
17
The cyclists I see on sidewalks are 99% delivery guys. I'm not sure how you ever get them to stop but through heavy ticketing.
3
Michael, I've been complaining about this for weeks now to no avail. My little girl was hit by a woman who left her bleeding and screaming in pain. We were strolling in the park and I was careful before now I'm purely paranoid.
8
You had a legal right to arrest the bicyclist, until an officer came to make a Police arrest. The Bicyclist committed an aggravated assault with his or her bicycle. She committed a felony by hitting and running.
A bicycle in the motor vehicle code of California is a device, that must obey the rules of the motor vehicle code when and where possible.
Generally, the maximum speed the bicyclist can travel in a park or on a trail is five miles per hour.
A bicycle in the motor vehicle code of California is a device, that must obey the rules of the motor vehicle code when and where possible.
Generally, the maximum speed the bicyclist can travel in a park or on a trail is five miles per hour.
1
Cyclists are not scofflaws. Traffic laws were written to exclude cyclists from the road in an era of automobile hegemony.
Has it occured to you to ask yourself why cyclists "flout" traffic laws?
The question is not spurious, and as with many seemingly cut and dried (and entirely artificial) conflicts in the US, the conditioned response apparent in your comment has roots in competing interests going a long way back. In the 1920s the automobile industry managed a propaganda coup against all other road users, getting "jaywalking" outlawed (see www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26073797)
What we now know is that mixed use makes roadways safer for everyone, including pedestrians. In densely built up areas, when automobiles are forced to share the road instead of the automobile as undisputed king everyone wins. The road safety numbers are confirmed with every brave new initiative.
I personally experienced the introduction of city bikes (Velibs) in Paris and although the tension was palpable for about one month, automobiles soon adapted and traffic flowed. Drivers paid more attention to their surroundings. I know I definitely felt safer, and the numbers are there to prove it. Those numbers even gave authorities the reassurance to allow cyclists to ride against traffic on marked one way streets, and even officially allow cyclists to cruise through stops/red lights under certain conditions!!!
These are not whimsical fantasy but data driving policy.
We're coming full circle, thankfully.
Has it occured to you to ask yourself why cyclists "flout" traffic laws?
The question is not spurious, and as with many seemingly cut and dried (and entirely artificial) conflicts in the US, the conditioned response apparent in your comment has roots in competing interests going a long way back. In the 1920s the automobile industry managed a propaganda coup against all other road users, getting "jaywalking" outlawed (see www.bbc.com/news/magazine-26073797)
What we now know is that mixed use makes roadways safer for everyone, including pedestrians. In densely built up areas, when automobiles are forced to share the road instead of the automobile as undisputed king everyone wins. The road safety numbers are confirmed with every brave new initiative.
I personally experienced the introduction of city bikes (Velibs) in Paris and although the tension was palpable for about one month, automobiles soon adapted and traffic flowed. Drivers paid more attention to their surroundings. I know I definitely felt safer, and the numbers are there to prove it. Those numbers even gave authorities the reassurance to allow cyclists to ride against traffic on marked one way streets, and even officially allow cyclists to cruise through stops/red lights under certain conditions!!!
These are not whimsical fantasy but data driving policy.
We're coming full circle, thankfully.
59
Very good point, the roads are public, meaning that it belongs to everyone, we should all reclaim the streets since they're ours.
2
True, but New Yorkers are too selfish and rude so this will never happen here. And I say this as a native New Yorker!
New Yorkers appear to be totally unregulated. Period. A crazy looking bunch.
Where I live in Valencia, Spain bikers have increased dramatically along with the infrastructure that makes riding safer. We now have a mayor who is a bike commuter so things are changing even more rapidly. We hear the same negative arguments against cycling as those falsehoods reported in this piece: bikers are lawless punks and they hurt business. The truth is that when you take away cars humans pour in to fill the void. By limiting cars Stockholm cut childhood asthma rates almost 50%. We should be thinking cyclists.
19
What about job losses caused by cyclists, like in Stockholm's case what about respiratory therapists jobs?
1
they need to go the way of the dinosaur if we can reduce pollution, shouldn't we? You want more people to provide cancer treatment too?
1
It's always so nice to see an adult riding a bicycle on a sidewalk, just like in the Times' photo. SARCASM.
Now if the photo caption noted this illegal behavior and made mention of how infuriating it is to pedestrians on anything like a normally busy sidewalk, then the photo would have some validity as reporting--not lifestlye marketing.
Also regarding the photo showing bicycle riders on the Westside Highway, that caption needs a tweak. It should read something like "in the bike lane adjacent to the Westside Highway".
Now if the photo caption noted this illegal behavior and made mention of how infuriating it is to pedestrians on anything like a normally busy sidewalk, then the photo would have some validity as reporting--not lifestlye marketing.
Also regarding the photo showing bicycle riders on the Westside Highway, that caption needs a tweak. It should read something like "in the bike lane adjacent to the Westside Highway".
6
Our species, as a rule, hates change. I know many people who I would normally consider smart or compassionate, but who are utterly intractable when it comes to encouraging biking as a healthy and clean form of travel. Robert Moses and his ilk really worked magic on them, and now they are simply unable to consider a life without their car. Furthermore, they can't consider a life in which their car doesn't take primacy over all other forms of transportation (including walking). They shriek their hatred of bikers who take up "their" space. And I've realized that they are as unable to change their minds about this as they are able to change their political or religious affiliations; logic has no place for them in this debate.
8
Biking is great until you come across someone who thinks they are training for the Tour de France. I was nearly run down by an overzealous biker who then cursed me out. He was in a pedestrian path. I hope his chain fell off.
I can't see it becoming a regular mode of transportation, try carrying grocery bags or cleaning, now imagine that in a snow storm. No thank you.
And these bikers? They want to be respected as a vehicle? Then obey the damn traffic laws and stop on a red, don't speed and please be careful of pedestrians we count too!
I can't see it becoming a regular mode of transportation, try carrying grocery bags or cleaning, now imagine that in a snow storm. No thank you.
And these bikers? They want to be respected as a vehicle? Then obey the damn traffic laws and stop on a red, don't speed and please be careful of pedestrians we count too!
21
Speeding is pretty hard to do on a bike given that the speed limit in NYC is 25mph. Have to be pretty fit to do that. I'd be more worried about all the cars that speed.
3
Don't throw stones, it's hard to find any car drivers who DON'T go over the speed limit. So complaining about bikers breaking traffic laws is hypocritical.
2
Bicyclists are responsible for all of their conduct, bar none.
In California we have bicycle laws - the only ones that are not acted upon are the requirements for very ultra safe bicycle storage.
In California we have bicycle laws - the only ones that are not acted upon are the requirements for very ultra safe bicycle storage.
Using Citibike to get to work saves me about $1,000 and about 4,000 minutes compared to using the MTA (based on real data, every other month, for my first two years). It probably marginally improves my health too.
4
Riding a bike in an American city requires navigating between infrastructure that is sometimes designed for a bike and most often designed for a car. The fact that people who ride bikes have to sometimes break traffic laws should come as no surprise. Eventually as trafic infastructure becomes fully supportive of bicycle trafic I believe you will see far fewer instances of bad behavior by people who ride bikes (on the side walk, against traffic flow, etc...) in the meantime cyclists are going to continue doing their best to navigate disjointed systems. Give them a break.
5
As we have become a country that does not seem to remember history of any kind, let me remind you what brought us bike lanes in NYC. As a biker who has been commuting with bike for 40 years, I remember the days before bike lanes. It was dangerous. It took Critical Mass, a precursor to Transportation Alternatives, I believe, to begin the process. This political action was where bikers would gather at various destinations often inscribed on streets at 7pm the last Friday of every month and take over the streets. We were risking arrest so that we could bring our demands as tax payers to the streets. This is a city, we all have to share the infrastructure. Cars are fine, but they have to share the streets with us bikers. And that includes commuters, kids having fun being outside, the people delivering your dinner, and joy riders too!
4
A Adler: As one who lives in the city and remembers those asinine "protests" of bikers riding in the traffic, there are still way too many bikers using the traffic lanes instead of the bike lanes. How about using what you "protested" for?
2
How about the drivers and cops who parks in the bike lane? Have you notice how many pedestrians are on the bike lane on 8th Ave? It's a never ending saga. Everyone thinks they're entitle. The worst is when drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians all have their head down looking at their phones.
It was nearly five (5) years ago I gave my car away and have been commuting by bicycle ever since. If it rains I take my time and carefully don rain gear. Does it work? Mostly!
The amount of money I've saved by not having an automobile is quite a bit - in fact, it's a great deal. So far . . . so good!
The amount of money I've saved by not having an automobile is quite a bit - in fact, it's a great deal. So far . . . so good!
4
As someone who bike commuted in NYC in the bad old days (1980s), the current situation is a great improvement to the streets overall. It's unfortunate that few statistics were cited to support all of the negative sentiments expressed. Sure there are some growing pains and I agree that more regulation of cyclists (and cars and pedestrians) is needed.
By the way, if NYC is looking for a model for biking - no need to cross the Atlantic, just drive 6 hours north and see what they have done in Montreal. In many trips there and cycling around much, I have found the cyclists to be far better behaved than in NYC, and the infrastructure is excellent.
By the way, if NYC is looking for a model for biking - no need to cross the Atlantic, just drive 6 hours north and see what they have done in Montreal. In many trips there and cycling around much, I have found the cyclists to be far better behaved than in NYC, and the infrastructure is excellent.
1
Biking is fine. BUT, New York bikers appear to be totally unregulated. They do not stop for traffic lights or stop signs. They consistently ride opposite to traffic and generally disregard any traffic rules.
4
This weekend in NYC a cab driver killed an 80 year old in a crosswalk (driver arrested), a mother and her baby were injured when two cabs collided, a man plowed a van into six pedestrians (driver arrested), and a driver injured four people and fled (still at large).
Despite the outcry about lawbreaking cyclists, tens of thousands have been added to NYC traffic and they still cause a tiny fraction of the trouble drivers do.
I think it's crystal clear who and what we need to focus on to make our streets safer.
Despite the outcry about lawbreaking cyclists, tens of thousands have been added to NYC traffic and they still cause a tiny fraction of the trouble drivers do.
I think it's crystal clear who and what we need to focus on to make our streets safer.
34
Cranky people love to ignore the facts about cycling. Cyclists pose very little threat to pedestrians when you look at the data. Woody Allan doesn't like facts
1
Car drivers consistently break speed limits. In fact, other than a few grandmothers I hardly know anyone who doesn't go over the speed limit when they drive.
3
Cycling is great but Woody Allan is probably right on this one. If the city doesn't regulate it, and stop cyclers from endangering pedestrians it would become a nightmare.
10
We can’t continue to accommodate a lot of the GROWTH with cars,” she said. “We need to turn to the most efficient modes, that is, transit, cycling and walking. Our street capacity is fixed.” Polly Trottenberg
We are overstuffed with cars and the transit system is above capacity and bikers at an all time high. Why are we pursuing population growth in the city with no clear Transportation plan? Oh yeah right the real estate industry are big political contributors. No amount of bike lanes is going to fix it we actually need a plan.
We are overstuffed with cars and the transit system is above capacity and bikers at an all time high. Why are we pursuing population growth in the city with no clear Transportation plan? Oh yeah right the real estate industry are big political contributors. No amount of bike lanes is going to fix it we actually need a plan.
3
NYC bikers are out of control. I love and support the idea of less cars more bikes. However, that is not the case in this densely populated city. We just have more of everything. My daughter was hit by a speeding cyclist who just took off and left her crying in pain on the ground with a nasty laceration. We were walking in Riverside Park and she was speeding because she was late for work. We have not been back to that area of the park since. It is just too risky and dangerous. Unfortunately, people in this city become heatless and need to be able to follow rules. We need to implement speed limits and be better able to keep track of a cyclist in case of a hit and run. I've heard of the idea of having license plates put in. Most likely we'll never find that nasty woman who hit my daughter because there is just no way to keep track of her.
18
New York City cyclists think it's cool to wear black anytime day or night. With their black bikes and black attire they zoom in and out of traffic at night. Cool or fool.
2
Not me! I like wearing fluorescent yellow and a yellow helmet! Maximum visibility!
Proud to be a New Yorker!
Ubiquitous? Doesn't that mean you see them everywhere? Not in upper Manhattan!
1
Biking is a often a much faster way to get around a city, when you consider parking. With bikes you can often park right at the entrance to the place you are going and you don't have to search hard for a parking place. Traffic jams are never really a problem so the time it takes you from point A to point B is much more predictable than driving a car.
3
This article seems less like journalism than a soft sell on bikes and bike lanes. Of course, lots of people are willing to utilize bike lanes on beautiful summer days. But lots of expensive changes to street to favor bikes have been made, but are not used much of the year: when weather gets cold and there's more precipitation. Moreover, here in Queens, lots of parking has been usurped to make these bike lanes possible, yet use other than on nice days is nearly imperceptible.
These changes that DiBlasio is pushing through with his Vision Zero program have impacted car-owning working class Queens residents, who use those cars to commute to jobs not easily reachable via transit. Bike to work? Too far, and it requires a shower and a change once you arrive. Often caring for elderly relatives requires a car: you can't take an infirm person on the subway nor put her on a bike for a doctor's appointment. Increasingly, Vision Zero is looking like zero cars for working class Queens residents, unless we pony up the monthly parking fee.
These changes that DiBlasio is pushing through with his Vision Zero program have impacted car-owning working class Queens residents, who use those cars to commute to jobs not easily reachable via transit. Bike to work? Too far, and it requires a shower and a change once you arrive. Often caring for elderly relatives requires a car: you can't take an infirm person on the subway nor put her on a bike for a doctor's appointment. Increasingly, Vision Zero is looking like zero cars for working class Queens residents, unless we pony up the monthly parking fee.
7
In theory, biking is wonderful, and it works very well in cities, mostly in Europe, where bike riding is regulated along with driving a car, driving a truck, crossing the street as a pedestrian, etc. Unfortunately, bike riding in New York has been allowed to flourish as if the city were Dodge City with everyone on his horse--or bike in this case--riding exactly the way he or she wishes. The system does NOT work as presently constituted. Motorized bicycles go the wrong way in bike lanes, on sidewalks and down the avenues. Bikers blithely run red lights in front of police officers. Granted, pedestrians must learn to stay out of the bike lanes and should be fined or warned for impeding bikers, but the cycling situation is out of control and dangerous. There is no concern for senior citizens trying to dodge cyclists or those who are visually or hearing impaired. We should be promoting bike riding in New York, but it must be done responsibly as it is in Amsterdam and many other cities, and that means there must be clear rules and everyone must abide by them. Ferries and biking are wonderful transportation options, and Mayor DeBlasio should be applauded for promoting them, but his failure to enforce laws related to bike riding is a serious mistake. I, and others, will vote against him if he does not take steps to control the situation.
18
Of course it should be noted as well that auto and pedestrian laws are flouted just as much as bike laws in this city; cars run red lights, stop in crosswalks, ignore lane markings; pedestrians jaywalk constantly, cross against lights, walk into streets between cars without looking at anything other than their smartphones.
Saying bikes alone are the traffic problem is short-sighted. ALL are complicit in NYC.
Saying bikes alone are the traffic problem is short-sighted. ALL are complicit in NYC.
10
Get a bike! Ride it!
All the laws for cars, cyclists and pedestrians should be enforced. Jaywalking is a menace.
Munich, Germany has a huge bike culture, managed so much better than NYC. No surprise, there are rules, and licenses required, but also bike lanes on sidewalks, where pedestrians are not allowed. Keeps bikes away from the cars. I would be interested to see a comparison of NYC with Munich, to see what we can learn from them. I bet there is quite a bit.
8
I have lived in Jersey City for the past six years now where bicycle riding on the streets is about 30 years behind NYC. I am often the only bike on the street. I did live in Brooklyn, Carroll Gardens, in the 90s and 2000s and I commuted to mid-town Manhattan on my bike during what can only be called the wild west days for cyclists. I recently returned to Brooklyn and had one comment for my companion, too many bikes. If you thought cars were a danger/impedance to a cyclist, other cyclists are worse, particularly the casual rider. The day is coming when the city will have to deal with this problem as well.
11
Considering that cars kill over a dozen cyclists every year, while cyclist/cyclist accidents almost never result in fatality, your comment that 'If you thought cars were a danger/impedance to a cyclist, other cyclists are worse, particularly the casual rider' is hyperbolic in the extreme, and an irresponsible and tone deaf reading of the true dangers that cyclists face in the city.
3
and I hope they deal with it by offering the cyclists more separated bike paths to use so that they don't have to cram into the one safe path in the neighborhood
How many of the New Yorkers who bike to work or elsewhere would otherwise be in cars? The idea that bikes replace cars on our streets is a fantasy, I suspect. And cars generally can be counted on to stop for red lights, but it's the rare bike that does. Bikers have made the UWS more unsafe than ever for pedestrians.
22
My alternative to Citibike is taxi, Lyft or Uber -- all cars. As for cars stopping at red lights, that is a fantasy. Just witness the thousand deaths and injuries to pedestrians each month, most of whom are hit by motorists while crossing with the light.
3
Again, I disagree. Most bicyclist respect traffic laws. They are the rule. The exceptions are the people you are writing about.
No city comes close to Amsterdam, which has traffic signals and all other traffic laws just for bicyclists.
As I replied above, I rode my bike for years living in Manhattan; later, Queens, which is a 25 mile, round trip commute.
Yes I/we save a lot on carbon emissions, riding bicycles in the city (that means Manhattan, for the rest of the USA). So many people across our now hideous suburban strip mall America are fat, dumb and happy couch potatoes; addicted to Oprah, the Kardashians and daytime TV; then get in their gas guzzling carbon spewing huge SUV's and pickup trucks. Best of all, it's great exercise and fun. When I lived in Soho, before and after 9/11, a great bicycle, walking or running paths (a wide one) with excellent landscaping was built and runs all the way from the tip of The Battery at the bottom tip Manhattan, all the way well up into the Bronx.
Thank you anyway; I'll take my bicycle.
No city comes close to Amsterdam, which has traffic signals and all other traffic laws just for bicyclists.
As I replied above, I rode my bike for years living in Manhattan; later, Queens, which is a 25 mile, round trip commute.
Yes I/we save a lot on carbon emissions, riding bicycles in the city (that means Manhattan, for the rest of the USA). So many people across our now hideous suburban strip mall America are fat, dumb and happy couch potatoes; addicted to Oprah, the Kardashians and daytime TV; then get in their gas guzzling carbon spewing huge SUV's and pickup trucks. Best of all, it's great exercise and fun. When I lived in Soho, before and after 9/11, a great bicycle, walking or running paths (a wide one) with excellent landscaping was built and runs all the way from the tip of The Battery at the bottom tip Manhattan, all the way well up into the Bronx.
Thank you anyway; I'll take my bicycle.
Uber/Lyft drivers... don't even get me started how they have made walking and biking more dangerous. That's a related but separate issue that has been written on before, but not getting any better, because the police have bigger fish to fry.
Bicycling is akin to owning an electric car. There is limited range but it's good enough for 99% of everyday needs (ok, maybe not for carrying more than a couple of supermarket bags). In a city as congested as NY, the infrastructure needed to increase bike ridership pales in comparison to that needed for 4 wheeled vehicles. Bicycling is good for the environment, our general health and generally, the need for added infrastructure.
49
For 5 years, I biked 15 miles round trip commuting to downtown Phoenix. On the way in I had to carry clean clothes to go with my suits that hung in a locker. On arrival, I needed to take a shower. And on hot days, I kept sweating even after the shower. I am a runner and all the red lights and the need for extra care in traffic pretty much negated any exercise benefit. I like the idea of not being an automobile commuter. But the main benefit of the ride in was that it was my cup of coffee. It got me going for the day. The ride home was pretty much jump on the bike and go. That was the best part. And when I got home to the kids I was in a good mood. For me, biking was more about a healthy attitude than a healthy body.
15
Thanks for reporting on this subject. One qualm: why quote the real estate agent regarding his informal survey? He cites no evidence for his conclusion and without evidence, I don't see how he contributes meaningfully to the conversation. Numbers comparing the rate of accidents between cars/peds and bikes/peds as well as pre-bike lane business income/post-bike lane business income should have been cited.
81
I think a more accurate reporting of that would be "man who once walked 5 miles dislikes bike lanes."
Actual studies have found that bike lanes increase traffic to stores on those streets. To your point, there's no way an actual study would support his "findings," so there's no reason he should be included at all.
Actual studies have found that bike lanes increase traffic to stores on those streets. To your point, there's no way an actual study would support his "findings," so there's no reason he should be included at all.
55
Because the author of the article is trying to imply falsely that there is a perception amongst residents that cycling is bad for the city. Just quote random people saying things that "balance" the article, regardless of the facts. Speaking of facts, did you know cars spew poisonous exhaust into the air that damage resident's quality of life?
I agree. I was going to say the same thing. An Upper East Side real estate agent representing buyers and sellers from, and living in, a neighborhood that has been fighting bike lanes for years is not an objective researcher. What were his research methods? His evidence? Is he going to publish them? Why not quote me? "Liz, a healthcare worker from Brooklyn who commutes daily into Manhattan, has noted in her journeys up and down First and Second Avenues from the East Village to East Harlem and back notes vehicles, unobservant pedestrians, pallets of store supplies, dumpsters, construction sites and more impeding workers. shoppers and students, making it harder for them to get around safely and contribute to the local economy."
1
As an "early adopter" in Brooklyn in 1971, a charter member of Transportation Alternatives, and a participant in the very first American Youth Hostels Five-Boro Bike Tour, this news story comes as both deeply satisfying and largely unsurprising. Bike-friendly streets is the only thing on my long agenda of things that need doing that President Trump has (so far) failed to try to thwart. I hope I can assume he won't read this article. Please don't tweet it.
36
Trump is working on it. His proposed budget "strips funds from TIGER grant programs that have launched many of our favorite infrastructure projects, like Atlanta’s Beltline Trail, Chicago’s bikeshare system, and protected bike lanes in Boston; Washington, DC; and other US cities of all sizes."
http://www.bicycling.com/culture/trumps-proposed-federal-budget-is-bad-f...
http://www.bicycling.com/culture/trumps-proposed-federal-budget-is-bad-f...
2
I doubt DT has any sway on bicycle issues, unless he starts riding a bike to set an example, but he doesn't believe in exercise
Look to Europe and other places; problems facing NYC have already been solved elsewhere. Vacation in Basel, Amsterdam, Munich, Paris; take the best solutions and apply them here. This approach will also work for national health insurance.
78
Amen! Will Americans ever wake up and learn from the rest of the world? I doubt it.
3
Very true, health care system, no trash cans actually reduce litter, subway systems, high speed rail, all these things are much better in other advanced countries.
Munich ? That city has been ruined by the war on cars. Here are some video warnings what happens when you let the bike zealots loose. The people of Munich have no one to blame but themselves. New Yorkers be forewarned
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLzNM_rzDSme6P4gvpkVIVGEo1ta2TFMeS&...
https://m.youtube.com/watch?list=PLzNM_rzDSme6P4gvpkVIVGEo1ta2TFMeS&...
Unfortunately, more often than not, NYC cyclists disregard traffic laws - including going through red lights, going the wrong way, cutting in front of pedestrians, and cutting in front/slowing buses.
In DC and Minneapolis, cyclists seem to respect pedestrians - but in NYC cyclists are dangerous for pedestrians.
In DC and Minneapolis, cyclists seem to respect pedestrians - but in NYC cyclists are dangerous for pedestrians.
46
I agree the bikers are perilous for pedestrians and also for drivers. As a driver in NYC respecting the traffic laws I have had many close calls with almost hitting bikers that are not respecting traffic laws, most recently going across 6th avenue in the village, when a biker decided to run a red light on 6th avenue and I missed him by a hair. NYC needs to do an extensive PR campaign on how bikers must respect traffic laws to protect themselves and others using the roads and then back it up by giving tickets to bikers.
7
Agreed. I have never seen a policeman stop a cyclist for these infractions. Cyclists have made NY treacherous for pedestrians and drivers. They also pontificate on dangerous drivers. When is the police department going to start to regulate bicycles?
1
I would love to see the data that cycling is dangerous for pedestrians. Most cyclists are aware that the one facing the greatest danger in any kind of accident - whether it is with a pedestrian or car - is the cyclist. I fully respect pedestrians (in fact, all cyclists are pedestrians as well), and I suspect the argument that cyclists put pedestrians at risk is more about anger with rule-breaking than any actualized risk.
1
Wonderful but please remove the absolutely unused bike lanes on Staten island. No one uses them, particularly the bike lanes on North & South Railroad Avenues. This is a spread out borough of families that must drive everywhere. The bike lanes eat up road space in a borough with a limited arterial road network. Bicycling is great exercise. Many Staten Islanders own bikes and ride on the residential side streets.
3
Nobody uses them because there aren't enough of them and they don't connect. I would ride my bike to visit family on the South Shore but once you're off Hylan Blvd there's no safe route.
4
Pedestrians are quick to complain, but few think twice about standing in traffic rather than waiting on the corner for the light. That forces bikers to veer into traffic and in front of speeding vehicles. Some people routinely walk in protected bike lanes, or, worse, use them for cigarette breaks or cell phone conversations. You'll see this all the time on 8th or 1st Avenues, even in neighborhoods with plenty of sidewalk space.
I don't hear bikers honking their horns out of hair-trigger impatience. They don't have woofers that set off car alarms. They are not generating noise pollution or toxic exhaust. Yet they still get vilified by pedestrians, ticketed by police, and struck down with impunity. Other than that, New York City is a true cycling Mecca.