Warnings to Cyclists Near the Bridge
There have been a number of tragic bicycle fatalities in Brooklyn this week, and the danger of the intersections near the Brooklyn Bridge has once again been highlighted. But rather than focus on traffic calming and the like — or, okay, maybe in addition to it — Streetsblog reports that the NYPD is asking bicyclists…
There have been a number of tragic bicycle fatalities in Brooklyn this week, and the danger of the intersections near the Brooklyn Bridge has once again been highlighted. But rather than focus on traffic calming and the like — or, okay, maybe in addition to it — Streetsblog reports that the NYPD is asking bicyclists to dismount at the base of the bridge. Well, maybe not asking. “A uniformed officer told me that I was supposed to dismount and walk to the point where the path ends, and where we were then standing,” says their tipster. “I pointed her to the bicycle symbol painted on the ground about 10 feet from where we were and she pointed up to a sign about 30 feet away and explained that from that point to the end, bikers were to dismount and that C class summonses were going to be handed out shortly and that she was providing a warning.” Is the NYPD providing protection for bikers or is it a continuation of the culture war of cops-against-bicyclists?
NYPD Issuing Warnings to Brooklyn Bridge Cyclists [Streetsblog]
Why not take a lane on the roadway away from drivers and make it a two way for bicyclists? You can alternate which side based on rush hours by using a bklyn bound lane in the morning and switch it to manhattan bound lane in the afternoon. Maybe we start with just doing this during summer months when the bridge is entirely packed with pedestrians. As I’ve seen posted many times before, bicycles are vehicles, should therefore should have a piece of the road and shound’t be expected to share pathways with pedestrians.
i’m a biker, the brooklyn bridge has become a too crowded. bikers need to yield to pedestrians, otherwise go to the designated lanes on the manhattan bridge. its that simple.
Beau, you’re not wrong. I really like riding on the BK bridge when it’s not crowded, but when it’s packed with pedestrians (many of whom are non-English speaking visitors) it’s more than a recipe for disaster.
I hate to say it, because I love biking–but I would advocate removing the bike lane entirely from the Brooklyn bridge for the simple reason that it has become a huge tourist attraction and is full of people who dart unpredictably and pose for pictures oblivious to the fact that they are blocking the footpath/bike path. Tourists view the footpath as an observation deck and do not see it as a legitimate commuter viaduct since for most of them, biking or walking to and from work is not part of their reality. The situation is dangerous for all involved and has become more so with NY’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination. The Manhattan bridge bike lane is not that far away–and it is empty. And the North side is dedicated to cyclists so there are no pedestrians.
fsrq is right.
I totally agree with Northsloperenter and fsrq. I am all for cycling but frequently see bikers blaze through red lights without a helmet. There really is a need for accommodations from both the vehicle and cycling sides.
The Bridge is a disaster waiting to happen – the bikers think they own the bridge and ride at alarming speed, inches from pedestrians – many of who are tourists – who dont always realize the importance of not straying into the bike lane.
I have said this before – I will have zero sympathy for the ‘biking community’ until they start to respect the rules and safety of others. Sure they are often the victims of aggressive and stupid automobile drivers – but the arrogance with which they conduct themselves undermines the call for a more bike friendly culture.
Very few bicyclists understand that the pedestrian has the right of way.
I think bicyclists absolutely should walk their bikes across all dangerous traffic areas. It is the only way they can be safe.
I think the whole idea that bikes and cars can share roadways in the city is tragically stupid.
You can blame car drivers all you want, but the real problem is visibility and reaction time. Bikes are hard to see and move quickly and erratically which makes it very difficult for vehicles on crowded streets to maintain safe distances from them.
I don’t drive much, but for about 3 weeks was driving a bit on 5th Avenue and Flatbush and just about every single day I saw a bicyclist do something that made me cringe for their safety. Sometimes with a child behind them in a child seat.
It seems these people don’t know the things about biking in the street that I learned when I was 12 years old (e.g., obey traffic laws, remember cars are much bigger than you, never assume the other guy will be rational, don’t run over little old ladies crossing the street)>
I think bike lanes are one of the worst ideas this city has had in a long time. The right lane of just about every city street *must* be used for double parking for deliveries etc. and that is just not compatible with a safe bike lane.
If the city is serious about encouraging bicycling as a legitimate alternate commuting option then they must designate entire roads as “car free” or the bike lanes must somehow be physically separated from the auto lanes.
Honestly, I know there are 1,000,000 reasons why bicycling is awesome and cars suck, but the truth is that cars aren’t going away, bicycling is only great for healthy people in good weather, and when bikes and cars collide bikes always lose no matter who is right and who is wrong.