Closing Bell: Curb Cuts for the Stroller Mafia?

10 points for not saying "cobblestones" but minus 20 points for missing "belgian BLOCKS"

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:14 PM

Yeah I'd put this up there as a close #3 in priorities after world peace and global warming...

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:15 PM

Oh, yeah, let's get rid of all the attractive old school Brooklyn character and lay down some asphalt/cement when it's more convenient for Mr. Brownstoner. That seems consistent with everything we've ever read here about what a shame it is to not salvage every piece of every house/building put in place before 1950.

Pick up the damn stroller or don't have a kid.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:25 PM

You always comment that its the "stroller mafia," but I know of a few folks who have wheelchairs and scooters who are unable to navigate these corners. It's far worse for these folks, that people like me, who are physically able to lift the stroller over the curb.

Without being too PC, can you not this for the future.

Thx

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:25 PM

I agree- can you imagine the city actually making curb cuts so that disabled people can wheel across intersections - those lazy cripples in their wheelchairs, they should just WALK across the street or stay home!!!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:29 PM

Why would anyone disapprove of curb cuts at corner/intersections?? - I can think of absolutely no reason (again not referring to curb cuts mid-block for parking cars)

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:30 PM

Also points off for not capitalizing "Belgian."

Bottom line, as cool as this detail is, it is not compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and will, I presumably, be corrected sometime in the next few years pursuant to a settlement reached between the City and the Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association (or whatever they changed their name to.)

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 4:36 PM

The only reason they are hard to navigate is that they are spaced too far apart.. from generations of unscrupulous contractors taking them home for their patios. If they were packed as close together as they were originally, you could navigate them just fine in something like a stroller.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:09 PM

Forget people being comfortable, orginal details must be preserved!!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:15 PM

Can't we restore these details to their original condition so that disabled citizens can use them AND outlaw strollers? Frankly I don't see a downside.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:21 PM

Or we could lock all the disabled away like they did in the old days when these beautiful homes and sidewalks were built. Oh wait, maybe everything from the past isn't better?

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:38 PM

4:25-right on!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:48 PM

I agree with 5:21. Ban strollers, make the curbcuts, then ballbat 5:21 until paralyzed, then show him the sweet curb cut for his wheelchair. Fucktard.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 5:50 PM

Rehab = douche pursuing solo douchery.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 6:39 PM

Ban strollers in the booklyn. Push those fuckers to the suburbs!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 7:37 PM

Ban the Shakers!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 7:54 PM

Shake the banners!

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 8:40 PM

It is one of the ironies of parenthood that my baby and I are often competing with disabled people for scarce resources. On the plus side, it has definitely raised my awareness about how hard it is to be disabled in NYC.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 9:21 PM

The whole block is a hazard to the entire community. There are huge potholes and dangerous obstructions on Dekalb.

Strange how this was made into another stroller debate. The whole park side of Dekalb is a freakin mess. It is totally possible for the city to install curb cuts (as required by federal law) while preserving these type of cobblestones.

Anyone remember the condition of Central Park West in the 80s vs. how it looks now?

Probably not, since most of you fake, wannabe New Yorkers moved here around 1997. If you didn't spend your childhood in the 5 boroughs, you are a tourist. Enjoy your bus ride home to Pennsyltucky when it just gets 'too tough' for you to stay here.

Posted by: guest at February 4, 2008 9:45 PM

There's a curb at south portland and at Washington Place. How many curbs do you need -- and I mean that for both leg-able and leg-disabled people. Can't you wait one block before crossing? Do you really have to cross every 80 feet? Cause when you're walking along a longer street, you do in fact have to walk for a thousand feet before crossing -- doesn't seem to kill anyone.

As far as the baby pushers. Irksome thing, that stroller invention. Like I always say, try this rule of thumb for the betterment of all civilization: if the kid's too small to be walking on his own, carry it -- does wonders for the child's psychological peace of mind, as well as for the rest of the world's. When the kid gets too big to be carried, that's your cue to get it to walk -- does wonders for the kid's physical well-being, as well as for ours.

Nature - such a simple, marvelous mechanism. Why are we always trying to convenience ourselves to death?

Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 1:27 AM

9:45, being raised on the Upper West Side (as I'm assuming you were), you're about as "real" a New Yorker as someone from Westchester you spoiled, overindulged, pampered pussy.

Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 9:22 AM

It's amazing how people with ZERO experience being disabled or caring for a baby 24/7 nonetheless have so much expert advice on the subject. All those whiny disabled people and parents must be full of crap, while 1:27 is a sole and pure font of wisdom.

I invite 1:27 to carry a 15 pound sack of gravel around after waking 3x a night for a couple weeks. Then I invite him to break his own foot (aw heck, I'll break it for him!) and enjoy the constant extra strolling at 1/3 speed to find a safe way to cross the street. THEN, my 1:27 friend, I'd like to hear your honest, informed perspective. Do I hear a whining sound?

Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 10:04 AM

It is amazing how stupid people are - the anti-stroller crowd is a prime example of this.

Do you know F^cking annoying it would be if all those kids (with 10 inch legs) got out of their strollers and started walking?? Walking down the sidewalk would be like walking behind a tour group from Iowa, except slower.

Strollers are actually Gods gift to the pedestrian

Posted by: guest at February 5, 2008 10:47 AM