I am a born and raised New Yorker, but more importantly I am a life long New York biker and I just wanted to share an infuriating experience I had tonight as a pedestrian. I am very aware of the Brooklyn bridge biker/pedestrian conflict. As I began to walk across the bridge at dusk, I received a phone call and due to this and the beautiful city skyline I accidentally drifted into the bike lane. I was COMPLETELY at fault for being in the lane and it was very much an accident, but as soon as I realized my mistake a man wearing very tight spandex highlighting parts of his body no one should ever see, began screaming at me to get out of the way.
He was definitely riding at a speed of 40 mph or higher and due to his lack of a headlight and his speed he only became visible to me at the very last moment. I was in a panic and since there was only one other woman within 200 ft of me I figured the best thing to do was move to the right so he could ride around me as fast as possible. There was plenty of room for him to safely avoid me. After he passed I noticed the woman was yelling and when I got closer to her she screamed at me “ YOU’RE SO FUCKING STUPID YOU’RE SO FUCKING STUPID GET OUT OF THE BIKE LANE”. This woman is obviously insane and miserable, but as a biker myself the whole experience effected me deeply. I ride a bike path to work everyday where I deal with pedestrians/tourists having no regard for the fact that they are in fact walking in a bike lane, and you know what I DEAL WITH IT. As a biker I know it is my responsibility to make the safety of pedestrians my number one priority since I am the one on two wheels. I would like to know exactly what entitles this spandex gentleman to ownership of the Brooklyn Bridge? I don't remember John Roebling telling him he could have it and go as fast as he wants.
If you’re going to bike in New York City you’re going to have to deal with the fact that other people live here too and the people/bikers make mistakes, if you don’t like it then take the bus. As a biker it offends me that men & people like the woman continue to bring so much unnecessary negativity to biking. If you can’t take it then get the hell out of this city.
I am a born and raised New Yorker, but more importantly I am a life long New York biker and I just wanted to share an infuriating experience I had tonight as a pedestrian. I am very aware of the Brooklyn bridge biker/pedestrian conflict. As I began to walk across the bridge at dusk, I received a phone call and due to this and the beautiful city skyline I accidentally drifted into the bike lane. I was COMPLETELY at fault for being in the lane and it was very much an accident, but as soon as I realized my mistake a man wearing very tight spandex highlighting parts of his body no one should ever see, began screaming at me to get out of the way.
He was definitely riding at a speed of 40 mph or higher and due to his lack of a headlight and his speed he only became visible to me at the very last moment. I was in a panic and since there was only one other woman within 200 ft of me I figured the best thing to do was move to the right so he could ride around me as fast as possible. There was plenty of room for him to safely avoid me. After he passed I noticed the woman was yelling and when I got closer to her she screamed at me “ YOU’RE SO FUCKING STUPID YOU’RE SO FUCKING STUPID GET OUT OF THE BIKE LANE”. This woman is obviously insane and miserable, but as a biker myself the whole experience effected me deeply. I ride a bike path to work everyday where I deal with pedestrians/tourists having no regard for the fact that they are in fact walking in a bike lane, and you know what I DEAL WITH IT. As a biker I know it is my responsibility to make the safety of pedestrians my number one priority since I am the one on two wheels. I would like to know exactly what entitles this spandex gentleman to ownership of the Brooklyn Bridge? I don't remember John Roebling telling him he could have it and go as fast as he wants.
If you’re going to bike in New York City you’re going to have to deal with the fact that other people live here too and the people/bikers make mistakes, if you don’t like it then take the bus. As a biker it offends me that men & people like the woman continue to bring so much unnecessary negativity to biking. If you can’t take it then get the hell out of this city.
Posted by: pipercleo at July 30, 2008 11:46 PM in response to Closing Bell: The Brooklyn Bridge on Two Wheels