Bikes and Bodies on the Brooklyn Bridge
In the weekend New York Times, Robert Sullivan tackles the nightmare that we all know and many avoid: the Brooklyn Bridge elevated path. Designated half pedestrian walkway, half bike lane, the white line separating the two is never enough. Tourists often wander across the line with cameras glued to their faces, unaware of the cyclists…
In the weekend New York Times, Robert Sullivan tackles the nightmare that we all know and many avoid: the Brooklyn Bridge elevated path. Designated half pedestrian walkway, half bike lane, the white line separating the two is never enough. Tourists often wander across the line with cameras glued to their faces, unaware of the cyclists zooming towards them; and cyclists, well, sometimes they zoom too much. Sullivan’s solution: instead of signs and bollards, just separate the two—give bicyclists a protected lane on the lower level, among the cars. This suggestion will surely sound unpleasant to many bicyclists: they will lack the scenic views of the upper level and it sounds like a bad deal for anyone who enjoys breathing oxygen. Sullivan resisted the idea as well, but argues that “if we bicyclists cede the Brooklyn Bridge walkway, then it might be a step toward winning the public’s respect. Then, just maybe, pedestrians would call a truce and recognize that their real enemy is the car …” It’s a respectable argument, one definitely worth mulling over, but we still voted no on the Gothamist poll asking whether bikes should be banned from the upper level (64 percent said yes at the time of writing this post).
Bicyclists vs. Pedestrians: An Armistice [NY Times]
Vote: Ban Bikes from the Brooklyn Bridge Walkway? [Gothamist]
“(riding fast and angry and scared)”
yeah, I feel comfortable with you controlling 200+ pounds of flesh and metal speeding past me…
tybur6
“#1) If a pedestrian wanders in front of you in the street, honking is not illegal because blowing a horn for emergencies is perfectly legal…
#2) If I’m driving my car at 25 mph and a person steps off the sidewalk in front of me… they are crushed. I’m not at fault. This tends to be the sort of situation on the Brooklyn Bridge. They just step into the bike lane all of a sudden.
#3) I do yield for the pedestrian exit, so perhaps I’m one of the few? But the fact is, pedestrians are ALSO supposed to yield…”
#1 – yes,but if you gratuitously blow it to somehow “punish” the pedestrian it is a violation – and frankly in many of the bike/ped confrontations, true the ped stepped “over the line” but the biker creates such a scene yelling, and screaming that it is beyond just “warning”
#2 No, if a pedestrian jumps out into the roadway, you have to try to avoid them or stop – if you dont and it can be determined that you could have then it is very likely that you will be found liable civilly and in extreme cases – criminally. Again many of the confrontations on the bridge appear to me to be closer to this scenario (ie. the walkway lane is packed with people, people are often stepping “over the line” to pass and otherwise walk, and ignoring these OBVIOUS hazzards, bikers are traveling at extremely high rates of speed. A pedestrian stepping “over the line” does not alleviate the bikers (or motorists) obligations for reasonableness and due care – and the judgement will be looked at in light most favorable to the most vulnerable (in this case – the pedestrian)
#3 No Pedestrian has right of way – only the biker is “supposed” to yield
BIKE SPEED LIMIT ON BB OF 10MPH.
USE ONLY FOR TOURISM.
maybe we can solve the budget deficit with a few cops handing out tix to bikers…
there is not enough room for a physical barrier.
if you want to go fast go to the manhattan br. we will have to sacrifice bikers in downtown who will have an extra mile of pedalling pleasure.
brought to you by a brooklyn bridge biker (riding fast and angry and scared)
orestes — I was talking about the intended use of the BRIDGE, not the little upper deck thing.
As Benson pointed out, originally there was a trolley, one traffic lane in each direction for wagons, and lots of space for pedestrians walking and pushing their own wagons.
The biggest factor for bicycle riders when it comes to staying safe is predictability. Cars on the Brooklyn Bridge road would be far safer because the tourists are completely unpredictable. You never know what they are going to do.
Cars are mostly predictable, 80-90% of the time, a cyclist knows what cars are going to do before they do it, leaving you to deal with other issues such parked cars opening doors, potholes, pedestrians etc.
As far as walking over the bridge with bikes, I invite rail commuters to get out of the train car, walk for a mile, and then get back in the train car on their way to work. Sounds like fun doesn’t it?
@CarrollGardens. You’ll know him when you hear him! And certainly when you feel him. Mirrored sunglasses, biker shorts, crash helmet. I’ve been elbowed by him once and one time witnessed him come up behind an extremely startled female jogger and physically grab her by the shoulders, and push her over to the pedestrian side of the walkway. He clearly seems to relish the confrontation because he skates like he’s trying to set some kind of record in spite of all the tourist traffic. He invariably leaves a bunch of people yelling at him in his wake–but he comes up on you so fast and is by you so fast that he never gets the beating he deserves. A real hit-and-run kind of guy. I just have to wonder what he’s so angry about!
I agree with tybur6. and a couple others.
1. Bridge is for commuters, not tourists; they should learn to be respectful of the place they’re visiting. IF they don’t show respect for this city and its inhabitants, why should we show them any? It’s so dangerous to have to avoid some idiot stepping into the path of your bike – chances are the bicyclist will steer away from the chump and end up hurting themselves.
2. Traffic, according to new research and observation (as opposed to old assumptions), is safer when diverse modes of transportation are forced to mix, and when less external regulation like traffic lights is imposed, because people have to be alert, use their brains, and engage in their environment — ie take responsibility for their actions. The results, at least in europe, where they’ve been replacing classic light-controlled intersections with open squares and roundabouts with no regulation or lanes, show staggering decreases in accidents. Turns out, people can regulate themselves way better when asked to use their own brains and eyes. GEt over yourself and cooperate. Not every traffic/pedestrian/bike problem can or should be solved by some DOT person running around with a paint roller. Sometimes we just have to TRY A LITTLE HARDER.
3. Seems to me that this “nightmare” is really just some dude’s aversion to bad manners. This is NYC!!!!! What’s next, the Statue of Liberty needs to be polished and cleaned of that ugly “green” gook?
4. Dirty Hipster, Manhattan bridge doesn’t exit anywhere near Brooklyn bridge on the manhattan side. What are you talking about, take the other bridge? Yeah people can take Queensboro too, but it doesn’t make actual SENSE.
Why shouldn’t bicyclists simply walk their bikes over the bridge? If they want to move more quickly there is always the Manhattan Bridge. I am of the school that pedestrians always have the right of way. In this case, there is simply not enough room to accommodate bikes and pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge- so bicyclists should dismount. The bridge promenade is a great outdoor location to stroll and enjoy the view.
Tyburg- your analysis of the intended users of the bridge is way off. I have not researched this, but I would bet good money that the intended purpose of the upper deck was always to transport pedestrians. It is bikers who are more likely the unintended users.
Oh Man Benson!!! Bring Back the Brooklyn Bridge Trolley!! If it had a bike “car” like some trolleys in Europe and I would even be tempted to look for a job in Manhattan!! Yippeee! Down with cars, Up with Trolleys!