Closing Bell: Bike Slope
Seems like bike lanes are being added to Brooklyn every day. Last week, a few Slope streets got new ones, including Sackett and Lincoln.
Seems like bike lanes are being added to Brooklyn every day. Last week, a few Slope streets got new ones, including Sackett and Lincoln.
The problem here is not lanes or cars vs. bikes. Everyone just automatically assumes they don’t need to be aware of anything because they have some kind of right of way. I guess this is some kind of Liberal Socialist principal I just don’t get. Silly me, I always look before I cross a street even when the light is green, same applies when I am driving. I don’t automatically assume the person crossing the street is looking at me. I encounter so many people who just walk or drive or do whatever they do without looking in any direction. Even the parents with kids. Pedestrians, Bikers, Drivers, WAKE UP!!!
Speaking as a pedestrian, we get badly damaged by bike riders and cars. But while there are drivers who break the rules, there’s no question that they know they are breaking the law and there is plenty of vitriol for them.
But bike riders on the whole seem to really not be aware that they are supposed to follow the same rules. I’ve seen too many act as though cars and pedestrians are supposed to watch out for them when they ride the wrong way down a street, or zip in front of a car making a turn. And they seem to forget that a fast moving bike is a lot more difficult to see than a car. Sometimes they seem to come out of nowhere. And riding on the sidewalk? Sorry- but I’ve been nearly hit several times by some one who simply expected pedestrians to move out of their way because they were on a bike and going too fast to maneuver. I’ve seen people hit by them, or feet run over. As it was I thought bikes weren’t allowed on the sidewalks.
I happen think bikes are wonderful. I wish the city were more bike friendly, but until they also follow the laws they make the streets more dangerous. (and no- I don’t have a car). And until they use common sense they put themselves in danger. On Sunday I watched a father and 2 young daughters in the bike lane. Father in front, girls on bikes behind. Isn’t it kind of stupid to not be behind, watching them? and shouldn’t they be wearing helmets????
this is good news. all the haters go comment in the “house of the day” post and argue about the value of the house, how much the renovations will cost, etc.
not only do bike lanes promote a healthy lifestyle, improve the environment, and create traffic calming…they encourage bikers to obey laws. the lanes will keep bikers in the lanes and out of the way of pedestrians.
how about some positive perspective for once, people?!
During alternate side parking, they’ll all park in the bike lane. In fact, any time a driver wants to double park on these blocks, he’ll park in the bike lane. How about those “bike lanes” on Vanderbilt? Great parking!
Painting lines on the street does nothing to change the habits of the idiotic drivers of this Borough. The city should put up REAL bike lanes–the ones with barricades so the cars can’t get in there.
LOL! The comment killer, blah blah blah
The lines are suggestions! Expecially when I double park on top of those bike lanes or sit on top of them waiting to make a right turn. Don’t get me wrong, I won’t drive over them down the street if I don’t have to just like Bikers won’t ride the sidewalk. Bottom line you idiots, use some damn commom sense and don’t expect a bike lane to all of a sudden make everyone behave differently.
Here’s what I don’t get when I see all these posts about “I nearly got hit by some jerk on a bike”, or “Someone I know got hit by some *** on a bike”, or “these idiots on bikes don’t follow traffic rules”, etc.
Every day, I walk down the street, and I see cars run red lights, crowd & nearly hit pedestrians when making turns, speed recklessly down the street (In fact, I hear one right now), run red lights, so on, and so forth. Where’s all the outrage and vitriol for that? Are you making empty threats about pulling drivers out of cars and beating on them too?
Yes, there are bikers who don’t respect the rules of the road. But enough with the pot calling the kettle black.
but truth be told, a lot of bikers don’t obey the traffic rules. If you want to have bike lanes, you should obey the rules of the road and remember pedestrians have the right of way. Almost getting knocked down by a bike rider is not rare and nearly everyone I know has a tale of some bike rider who acted like he/she didn’t have to obey the lights and almost caused an accident.
so many hateful, angry people on this blog.
it’s really disturbing.
if i see you smack someone, i’ll smack you myself.
you deserve more than that.