Closing Bell: Don't Be a Jerk
Over the past four year, 250 miles of bike lanes have been added to New York City Streets. Today, both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal look at what comes next. New York Times reports on the growing backlash against the lanes and says PPW could prove to be New York’s “biggest challenge.”…
Over the past four year, 250 miles of bike lanes have been added to New York City Streets. Today, both the New York Times and Wall Street Journal look at what comes next. New York Times reports on the growing backlash against the lanes and says PPW could prove to be New York’s “biggest challenge.” A supporter was quoted at the PPW rally saying, We don’t want to be out here having to advocate for something that’s already done, But here we are. Wall Street Journal shifts the focus to changing the habits of cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists as infrastructure changes. Next year the DOT plans to plans to increase awareness and outreach to alert New Yorkers to the rules of the road, including a “Don’t Be a Jerk” campaign. Although there are plans to increase police monitoring of both motorists and bicycles, a recent grant of $150,000 can only do so much. “Cycling advocates say a lack of enforcement breeds contempt for the law,” quotes the article, saying that lawlessness is easy to find in New York, but also that bicyclists are riding less aggressively in protected bike lanes.
Bike Lane Growth in NY Brings Backlash [NY Times]
Cycling’s New Rules of the Road [WSJ]
Sorry typo – meant:
Not sure where I said bikers (as a group) are “less than human” but I will say – if they are human – they ought to start acting like it.
denton – the accident with the 7yr old happened at the END of the boardwalk where there is a STOP SIGN because pedestrians must cross the bike lane – not that you’d ever seen a bicyclist stop there.
Further just like a car has a larger obligation to the pedestrian (and cyclist) – because as you said – it is 2tons of metal…a biker should have greater responsibility to the pedestrian as well….but that moral equation doesnt seem to enter into the mind of the BB bike riders who ride a 20-40mph on a narrow pathway, which is not wide enough for pedestrians, and is filled with people who are likely unfamiliar with the rules. Seems the only concession made to that dangerous reality is bikers yelling and cursing at everyone (funny in a way cause a huge % of the pedestrians likely dont even speak english)
Not sure where are said bikers (as a group) are “less than human” but I will say – if they are human – they ought to start acting like it.
Denton, agreed, but a cyclist zooming the wrong way down a one way street can easily kill a pedestrian (if not themselves) just as easily as a car. Again, common sense.
“Have you EVER seen a biker stop at a light and then STAY there for the FULL cycle? As opposed to the usual, slow down and then dart through when they can or stop (if they must) and then dart through?
Have you ever seen a biker NOT take every opportunity to yell at every other road user in the most aggressive manner…who died and made them the moral authority – oh thats right …they are green.
Have you ever seen a SINGLE bike rider stop at the stop signs at either end of the Brooklyn Bridge? (yes there are stop signs) – 7yr old hit this weekend btw
Have you ever seen a bike rider not lane split in traffic?
Have you ever seen a biker not make a right on red, or not split right through pedestrians crossing when the peds have the light?
There are so many examples of Bike riders just acting like the most entitled bunch of asses…and yet – if they get hit…oh my god – here comes a white bike PERMANENTLY chained to some street sign.
HA! WOW, SO TRUE – you are my hero
“Aggressive drivers are just as bad as cyclists blowing through red lights or a pedestrian jay walking across a busy Ave.”
No, actually they’re worse. They’re worse cuz they are wrapped in two tons of sheet metal, so when they hit something, like a person, or a cyclist, the results are often fatal.
fsrq, I’m sorry you feel that a dead cyclist is less than human and ‘ghost bikes’ annoy you. And the 7yo who was hit by a cyclist… it has not been stated who’s fault that was. But given what I see on the BB (and I walk it most days) I’d bet it was the family crossing into the cyclist’s space and not the other way around.
No dirty_hipster – I wanted to account for that, so lately I made a concerted effort to watch all bikers…guess what – not ONE stayed at a red light unless they were absolutely forced to by traffic. Seriously not one (lets say over a 4 week period)
btw I acknowledge my observation does not science make.
New York will never work as a bicycling city such as Copenhagen or Amsterdam. NYC is far more busy and aggressive than most cities. Half the population ignores the rules here, on bikes and in cars and on foot. It’s a formula for continued failure.
Doesn’t matter if it’s bikes, cars or pedestrians – you only notice the assholes.
Room for all types of transportation. Aggressive drivers are just as bad as cyclists blowing through red lights or a pedestrian jay walking across a busy Ave. Common sense is all it takes.
It’s when folks feel a sense of entitlement, of one form of transportation over the other, that rubs me the wrong way.
And the funniest experience I have had to date, driving in my car ( I like bikes too and MOSTLY walk, like most Nyers) down 9th Street towards 5th Ave and a cyclist is riding the wrong way up the block against traffic AND THERE WAS AN OPEN BIKE LANE! And I got a dirty look for honking. Guess I’ll hit him next time.
Again, common sense is all it takes.