I cycle through Prospect Park most days, commuting to work. Getting into the park by bike is really dangerous at rush hour. The entrance approaches at all the traffic circles at the park edges need to be redesigned. But the dangers of rush hour traffic aren't only to entering cyclists. I enter the park from Grand Army Plaza, during the early evening while cars are still permitted. When the traffic lights change there’s a rush of cars through, then a longish time during which no cars enter. During this no-traffic time pedestrians wander all over the park entrance road. The road just inside the park is hidden from view of entering traffic, and people at this after work time seem unaware that with the changing lights cars will again come speeding through. There tend to be a lot of people around this space - it seems to be a gathering place for after work running and cycling groups. It’s only a matter of time before an unwary pedestrian gets hit by a car. I look forward to the car free trial - hopefully it will encourage the permanent banning of cars from the park.
I cycle through Prospect Park most days, commuting to work. Getting into the park by bike is really dangerous at rush hour. The entrance approaches at all the traffic circles at the park edges need to be redesigned. But the dangers of rush hour traffic aren't only to entering cyclists. I enter the park from Grand Army Plaza, during the early evening while cars are still permitted. When the traffic lights change there’s a rush of cars through, then a longish time during which no cars enter. During this no-traffic time pedestrians wander all over the park entrance road. The road just inside the park is hidden from view of entering traffic, and people at this after work time seem unaware that with the changing lights cars will again come speeding through. There tend to be a lot of people around this space - it seems to be a gathering place for after work running and cycling groups. It’s only a matter of time before an unwary pedestrian gets hit by a car. I look forward to the car free trial - hopefully it will encourage the permanent banning of cars from the park.
Posted by: bikecommuter at October 3, 2008 2:38 PM in response to Car-Free Prospect Park? Blech!