Closing Bell: The Brooklyn Bridge on Two Wheels
This video nicely captures a ride on the Brooklyn Bridge, though it doesn’t really document the tension that often exists between cyclists and pedestrians.
This video nicely captures a ride on the Brooklyn Bridge, though it doesn’t really document the tension that often exists between cyclists and pedestrians.
All of these arguments are settled here:
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trafrule.pdf
Settle down and look it up.
Bikers who want to maim pedestrians should stick to the Manhattan Bridge when the Brooklyn Bridge is crowded.
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.
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.
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.
6:27, I take offense, when I yell at the tourists in the bike lane I’m always coherent.
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.
I don’t have a speedometer but I was once cycling on the downhill part towards Manhattan and I was going so fast my eyes started tearing and I lost a contact. Seriously.
Brooklynnative, I call BS on your claim of 40MPH on the bridge, or probably anywhere in NYC.
There definitely needs to be better line signage!