PPW Bike Lanes Still Controversial
Surprise! The Prospect Park bike lanes are still stirring up controversy. Today the Brooklyn Paper reports that this PPW Bike Lane Survey started by Council members Steve Levin and Brad Lander got 800 responses on its first day. While the city has been analyzing traffic speed and accidents after the lane was put in, it…
Surprise! The Prospect Park bike lanes are still stirring up controversy. Today the Brooklyn Paper reports that this PPW Bike Lane Survey started by Council members Steve Levin and Brad Lander got 800 responses on its first day. While the city has been analyzing traffic speed and accidents after the lane was put in, it wants community feedback before deciding whether or not to make the bike lane permanent. Questions deal with safety and design modifications. (One question asks if the bike lanes should be more compatible with the historic character of PPW.) In the meantime, rival bike lane protests are planned for this Thursday morning – supporters will be at GAP with protesters at PPW and Carroll Street. Uh oh!
Survey Says PPW Bike Lane Still Very Controversial [BK Paper]
We go now to Tel Aviv, Israel, where our intrepid reporter Benson is live on the scene.
“Benson, do they have bike lanes in Tel Aviv?”
Benson reports: “No they do not. It is a city totally turned over to cars. Mr. B would not approve. Back to you, Jill”
I was driving with a friend in the car who is from the Netherlands.
I have gotten used to carefully negotiating the roads with cyclists coming from every direction in a frightening and disorderly way. (as a pedestrian too). I am voiced my concerns here about safety. Repeatedly.
HOWEVER, this Dutch friend, unprompted by me, went on a rant from the passenger seat. “What is with these people she exclaimed (on Vanderbilt and Atlantic).” Cyclists were weaving in and out of traffic against traffic against the light. She said to me, in Netherlands everybody bikes, drivers are used to dealing with bicyclists, it is part of life. BUT HERE?? The cyclists flout the rules, LOOK AT THIS!! she was yelling as I calmly avoided the cyclists who were riding everywhere. Also, unprompted from me (god how I loved this) she said “People here are riding bikes that are either too big or too small for them and do not have physical control of the bikes.” I have observed this myself, with people doing the “wooble” tipping the bike from side to side as their ass goes up and down and sideways in an uncontrolled way. Compounded by the fact that they do not obey the rules.
The above does not apply to everyone. But enough people to be a safety hazard.
For cyclists:
Obey the rules. Learn how to ride a bike. Get a bike that fits you. If you are a wobbly out of shape person, stay out of traffic. And NYPD, ENFORCE THE RULES. Give tickets. I decided to put my money where my mouth is on this and give my input to the DOT, NYPD and my elected officials.
that’s right ishtar. but I guess it’s much easier to rant on anonymous blog forums.
Nope, I need to get out there one day this week. I love Mexican and California style Mexican food.
I didn’t know my face talking, but whatevs! $1 would seem like a lot if you paid $.05 for a chocolate bar at one point in your life.
I think the street looks lovely with that bike lane right there. I like how it slows down traffic at the start of PPW at Union. I used to fear for my life right there. Those cars came flying off of GAP. Now they’re forced to slow down.
ishtar….did you see the new Mexican lunch truck on 55th St yet??????
ishtar, I’ve actually walked every now and then so shut your face!!!!!
So what you’re saying lincoln, is that people living in this general area should have gone to the CB meetings to express their opposition and maybe propose alternatives? Sounds more than reasonable and logical.
Ride a bike, dibs!