Closing Bell: The Brooklyn Bridge on Two Wheels

There is no higher right of way or "ultimate"right of way.

Bike lanes are bike lanes and pedestrian walkways are for pedestrians and bike paths are for bikes. If you were strolling down one of those green path bikeways a traffic cop has every right to give you a ticket. Similarly If you bike on the pedestrian side you also hav every right to have a ticket.

Tourist cluelessness I can forgive but I'd wager 75% of those who walk on a bike path -know- its designated for bikes. They just assume "ultimate" right of way, thus negating the effectiveness of the systems design.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 4:21 PM

They were out there this morning stenciling on top of the same worn out diagrams of a bicyclist and a pedestrian. I ride over the bridge a few times a week and usually have to ring my bell at folks to get out of the Bike lane, mostly clueless tourists (can't blame them as it's not too clearly marked)

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 4:50 PM

Have some freaking sense already. I can't think of a more annoying class of person than a zealous biker. Now that spring is here, I just can't wait to clothesline one of you obnoxious idiots. You wanna do 40, on an 8 ft wide walkway PACKED with pedestrains (most clueless tourists to boot)? Tell you what, the Manhattan Bridge is just a few blocks away on either side, and you get your own pedestrian free enclosed lane. Embrace your inner Lance over there. And I love the hypocrisy - I have yet to see a biker stop at the stop line on the Brooklyn side near the stairs.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 4:53 PM

Easy solution: paint it that obnoxious green thats covering the rest of the city bike lanes.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 4:58 PM

What is the speed limit on the bike path on the bridge? 10 mph? 15?

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 5:09 PM

I used to try to ride across the Brooklyn Bridge but unless it's very early it's not worth it for me. I get too frustrated with pedestrians who do not pay attention to the fact that the walkway is actually split in half and that one side is reserved for bikes.

To be honest, I kind of question the thinking that went into this design for a mixed use path on one of America's most famous landmarks. The split path on both the Manhattan and Williamsburg bridges is much better.

I feel kind of bad getting pissed at people who aren't paying attention because they're trying to take a photo of their family's vacation, you know? I try not to be the kind of overzealous biker that others have already alluded to in their comments.

So.. I favor the Manhattan Bridge. However, I see a lot of pedestrians in the bike path there! Is the pedestrian path closed or something? I keep looking across the bridge as much as I safely can when I ride it and I have yet to see anyone walking on that side.

cheers, jacqui

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 5:19 PM

bikes are vehicles, they should be on the road

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 5:29 PM

Doesn't look to me like the biker in the clip is respecting the line.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 5:32 PM

A: you CAN go 40 on the bridge... though thats truly an asshole speed, im certain ive gotten up to around 30.. which is also assholish, however i slow down long in advance, and i dont yell at people busy enjoying a freaking WORLD MONUMENT. The greatest sense of entitlement comes from the wanna-be spandex wearing bikers who are so far from being pro, but still have a 2 pound bike and a skin suit.

B: Right of way is always with the vulnerable, even if theyre totally retarded, if it went to trial the only difference is any penalties would be hugely reduced if you could proove you did everything right.. works the same with cars here, you cant just run down a jay-walker cause theyre outside the lines.

C: Bikes are NOT motorized vehicles, and do not "belong" on the street. They do belong seperated from pedestrians as much as is possible, but only a NON bike riding asshole thinks bike riding is less of a hazard with cars.

D: What one should do in the mixed use conduits is move at a decent clip respective of the crowdedness (haul ass if no-ones around), slow down long before approaching gawkers and dont barrell at people yelling incoherantly.

E: better lane marking would be great, however its the BROOKLYN FREAKING BRIDGE PEOPLE, use the manhatten if you think your so super special you need to be segmented from reality.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:27 PM

Providing separate clearly marked lanes for bikers and pedestrians would be the best scenario. However, pedestrians have the right of way. Yes, jaywalkers can be issued a summons but bikers are technically supposed to obey VTL (vehicular traffic law.) If a biker hits a pedestrian, the law is in favor of the pedestrian. Even if the pedestrian is an a**hole.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:44 PM

Why should pedestrians only have use of half the walk? Bicyclists should get off and walk when it is congested. Let's be glad we still have tourists.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:45 PM

I used to ride over the Brooklyn Bridge all the time, but I came to the same conclusion as many here that it's not worth the stress and the loss of speed. I take the Manhattan now, which is so much better (but getting off on the Manhattan sucks big time if you're headed north as there's always a cop standing there waiting to catch you going the wrong way up to Bowery).

And Brooklynnative - you sounds like a jerk, and you give cycling a bad name. I wouldn't wish getting clotheslined on you, but I doubt I'd be too upset if you were.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:46 PM

Bikers who want to maim pedestrians should stick to the Manhattan Bridge when the Brooklyn Bridge is crowded.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:47 PM

Hal, what kind of beaucratic crap is this?

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 6:50 PM

Hal - I just read through that document, and I have to say it didn't help much in terms of bridges. I did find out, though, that you can ride a bike on the sidewalk if the tire is smaller than 26 inches, and you're a pre-teen... hmmmm - much scheming to do.

Posted by: guest at April 17, 2008 7:55 PM

It's not just the Brooklyn Bridge, Bikers in NYC are infamous for running red lights, riding on sidewalks, gunning it through crosswalks, going the wrong way on one way streets, etc. And then they get all santomonious about the Brooklyn Bridge lanes? Give me a f'n break. I'm a 200+ pound wall of meat, and I'll hurt you just as bad as you hurt me in a colision. Plus, I'll sue. Wanna go?

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 9:05 AM

The Brooklyn Bridge pathway has become too big of a tourist and walking destination that either bikes need to be banned or walked over the bridge.
There is no way all those walkers can stay in pedestrian lane.

PS - I see plenty of bikers on the pedestrian only path on Manhattan bridge which is usually no big deal except when they insist on speeding thru.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 9:24 AM

Biff, I thot that was your thing?

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 10:41 AM

I only weigh 170 and I've been plowed into TWICE in my life by ASSHOLE bikers who ran red lights as I crossed the street with MY green. Both times, I was lucky to escape with only bruises--but what struck me is that BOTH TIMES, the ASSHOLE biker got up and began to flip shit at me for "causing" the accident because I hadn't looked to see if some POS bicyclist was flying through a red before crossing the street.

And get this: one of the morons who ran into me was riding AGAINST TRAFFIC, making him a double-dipped asshole. There's plenty more like him out there. So spare me, you whining bikers, about the asshole pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge. Take a look in the mirror.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 11:17 AM

Oh, these biker v. ped arguments get so tiresome. Peds need to be aware of their surroundings and not wander out into the street or into the bike lane without looking. Bikers need to yield to everyone who has the right of way. Plenty of assholes on both sides (and don't forget about the ones in the cars) but that doesn't mean every biker that runs a red light is a menace to society.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 11:50 AM

Hey Biff, my insult obviously werked.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 11:59 AM

Reality is there are way to many pedestrians on Brooklyn Bridge for the pedestrian lane.
The pathway is a tourist mecca and can no longer be used a a bicycle thoroughfare.
Ban the bikes from the bridge or walk them over. Or use the bike only pathway on Manhattan bridge (instead of the pedestrian only one that they seem to prefer).

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 12:11 PM

I give it right back - the second I see a biker even touch the line I scream at them "STAY ON YOUR SIDE!!!". Does wonders for anger management. Kinda like smacking the trunk of a car when one cuts you off at a crosswalk.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 12:15 PM

I get tired of hearing lump all cyclists into one group. Granted, 10% of cyclists are total a-holes, but at least 10% of pedestrians are a-holes, but nobody is stupid enough to say all pedestrians suck, so don't try the same lame argument on cyclists.

As an aside, Biff is a loser.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 12:21 PM

"Reality is there are way to many pedestrians on Brooklyn Bridge for the pedestrian lane."

There are way too many cars on it too. Maybe we should ban pedestrians so we can have another car lane?

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 12:46 PM

No bikes on the Brooklyn Bridge 9am-9pm.

And stick to the bike (uptown) side of the Manhattan Bridge. The train noise is so loud there that pedestrians can't hear you coming up behind them.

And what is so wrong with not having to constantly be aware of moving bile's when you or out for a walk?

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 3:02 PM

Does anyone know what city agency to contact with complaints about the bridge and the unfortunate cyclist/pedestrian conundrum? David Yassky? The Department of Transportation? Its really gotten out of hand now that spring is here. I saw a near miss this morning on my walk over from Brooklyn. Its time that cyclists were banned from the Brooklyn Bridge, especially considering the reasonable alternative of the dedicated Manhattan Bridge lane.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 3:41 PM

"faded insults don't count"? Count towards what?? Are you 12? Please don't tell the teacher on us, or worse have your dad come try to beat up our dads.

Why does taking the time to register mean you have "guts"? It's just as easy and brainless to insult someone if you're registered. Everyone is trackable anyway, so stop being such a dork.

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 4:05 PM

3:02 and 3:41 - I ride my bike on the bridge and think banning bicycles is unnecessary; at the same time, I do think there needs to be some changes. Maybe enforced speed limits? (10 mph max). Or maybe bikes have to be walked over the bridge from 8-10 am and 4-6 pm? You can't really ride very quickly during those times anyway, which is why I ride the Manhattan at rush hours (as do most reasonable cyclists)

Posted by: guest at April 18, 2008 4:10 PM