Comments on: Open Thread: How Was Your Commute This Morning? http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 12 Mar 2010 22:41:47 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: sertitoulfult http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-202061 sertitoulfult Sat, 13 Feb 2010 16:39:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-202061 Hi Guys, Legitimate regsitered here. I must assent to admitting that this forum is chagrined it ooks truthful cool. I promise I will fancy this. Myself Craig from Houston. I make out the internet and public networking sites and ofcourse the worn out gold forums. I own a only one sites too. Some of which are below. Its casual as a matter of fact to make sites and pull down some money. If you are interested you can PM me or notify here and I resolution try to help. Hi Guys,
Legitimate regsitered here. I must assent to admitting that this forum is chagrined it ooks truthful cool. I promise I will fancy this.

Myself Craig from Houston. I make out the internet and public networking sites and ofcourse the worn out gold forums.

I own a only one sites too. Some of which are below. Its casual as a matter of fact to make sites and pull down some money. If you are interested you can PM me or notify here and I resolution try to help.

]]> By: Dave http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35316 Dave Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:54:32 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35316 Steve, how are they surmountable? I ride as much as I can to work but in the summer months I usually leave home earlier to get out while it is still cool, so I'm not too sweaty when I get to work. There is a gym at work with showers, but unfortunately, it is only open in the evenings. I think this will be changing soon, providing an obvious solution. But what can others do? Steve, how are they surmountable? I ride as much as I can to work but in the summer months I usually leave home earlier to get out while it is still cool, so I'm not too sweaty when I get to work.

There is a gym at work with showers, but unfortunately, it is only open in the evenings. I think this will be changing soon, providing an obvious solution. But what can others do?

]]> By: steve http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35315 steve Fri, 10 Aug 2007 12:47:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35315 Along with the usual reasons people don't bicycle (danger, lack of perking, aversion to exercise), people don't bicycle to work b/c they fear arriving at work sweaty/disheveled, and fear being perceived as "fringe.". These last two barriers are very surmountable, people who do bike to work can help remove the stigma. Along with the usual reasons people don't bicycle (danger, lack of perking, aversion to exercise), people don't bicycle to work b/c they fear arriving at work sweaty/disheveled, and fear being perceived as "fringe.". These last two barriers are very surmountable, people who do bike to work can help remove the stigma.

]]> By: P http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35313 P Fri, 10 Aug 2007 03:28:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35313 Yeah, it's unlikely that we're going to get large percentages of people going more than 5 miles each way. Unfortunately, New York is a huge and centralized city with much of the workforce living more than 5 miles away from work- perhaps the distance you can go in a bit over a 1/2 hour. On the bright side- Harlem and Sunnyside are each 5 miles from Midtown while Sunset Park and Bushwick are 5 miles from Lower Manhattan. There's no question there is growth potential for bicycle commuting. This doesn't even consider the non-Manhattan employment centers. Yeah, it's unlikely that we're going to get large percentages of people going more than 5 miles each way. Unfortunately, New York is a huge and centralized city with much of the workforce living more than 5 miles away from work- perhaps the distance you can go in a bit over a 1/2 hour.

On the bright side- Harlem and Sunnyside are each 5 miles from Midtown while Sunset Park and Bushwick are 5 miles from Lower Manhattan. There's no question there is growth potential for bicycle commuting. This doesn't even consider the non-Manhattan employment centers.

]]> By: Fendergal http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35303 Fendergal Fri, 10 Aug 2007 00:18:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35303 Most people I know think that 15 miles is really far. And depending on one's commute, it could be a pretty unpleasant distance. Of course, a coworker who lives in Bed Stuy said to me on Wednesday, "I wish I had a bike." But as a longtime bike commuter, I like having the choice between the train and the bike. Some days, I don't want to ride. I have a lot to carry, it's snowing, my legs are tired, I'm sick, whatever. But, over the years, I'm always much more satisfied riding than taking the train. And that's having been caught in snowstorms and thunderstorms, slipping on slabs of ice, getting knocked down by another cyclist, you name it. Most people I know think that 15 miles is really far. And depending on one's commute, it could be a pretty unpleasant distance. Of course, a coworker who lives in Bed Stuy said to me on Wednesday, "I wish I had a bike."

But as a longtime bike commuter, I like having the choice between the train and the bike. Some days, I don't want to ride. I have a lot to carry, it's snowing, my legs are tired, I'm sick, whatever. But, over the years, I'm always much more satisfied riding than taking the train. And that's having been caught in snowstorms and thunderstorms, slipping on slabs of ice, getting knocked down by another cyclist, you name it.

]]> By: johnprolly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35293 johnprolly Thu, 09 Aug 2007 20:27:52 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35293 Mine was the same as it is every morning. Minus the 1000 people on the bridge who acted like they were on a Nazi death march. Pedestrians walking 10 abreast, flailing their arms about, screaming and swatting their purses at cyclists. It was an annoyance to say the least. I ride into work everyday and with a 10 commute from Greenpoint to Nolita, I can't complain. It takes 45 minutes by train to get from door to door. I still don't understand why MORE people don't just ride their bike everyday to work. At most, the average person's commute can't be more than 15 miles round trip. Mine was the same as it is every morning. Minus the 1000 people on the bridge who acted like they were on a Nazi death march.

Pedestrians walking 10 abreast, flailing their arms about, screaming and swatting their purses at cyclists. It was an annoyance to say the least.

I ride into work everyday and with a 10 commute from Greenpoint to Nolita, I can't complain. It takes 45 minutes by train to get from door to door.

I still don't understand why MORE people don't just ride their bike everyday to work. At most, the average person's commute can't be more than 15 miles round trip.

]]> By: usq http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35257 usq Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:36:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35257 And, subways as hybrid-human electric transit are ridiculous! And, subways as hybrid-human electric transit are ridiculous!

]]> By: usq http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35256 usq Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:32:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35256 Global warming is real and the current strategy is adaption and mitigation whether it's large corporations, governments, or elected officials. It's obvious that the MTA like so many others will have to reinvent itself much like Microsoft the emergence of the internet. Global warming is real and the current strategy is adaption and mitigation whether it's large corporations, governments, or elected officials. It's obvious that the MTA like so many others will have to reinvent itself much like Microsoft the emergence of the internet.

]]> By: Gwin http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35254 Gwin Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:25:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35254 Offgrid: correct me if I'm wrong, but did you say you "normally" ride the wrong way up streets? Neither that nor riding on the sidewalks are good biking etiquette (or legal) under *any* circumstances. Offgrid: correct me if I'm wrong, but did you say you "normally" ride the wrong way up streets? Neither that nor riding on the sidewalks are good biking etiquette (or legal) under *any* circumstances.

]]> By: John Hunka http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35248 John Hunka Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:39:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35248 Re: "Freak storms are just that, freak. Designing for this type of event would add hundreds of millions of dollars in cost to the system." This was not necessarily a "freak" event. Scientists predict that rainstorms are becoming more intense as a result of global warming. If global warming really intensified this storm, storms of this magnitude could become common in the near future. Thus, maybe its time for the MTA to start installing a lot more pumps as soon as possible. Re: "Freak storms are just that, freak. Designing for this type of event would add hundreds of millions of dollars in cost to the system." This was not necessarily a "freak" event. Scientists predict that rainstorms are becoming more intense as a result of global warming. If global warming really intensified this storm, storms of this magnitude could become common in the near future. Thus, maybe its time for the MTA to start installing a lot more pumps as soon as possible.

]]> By: jeremy http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35247 jeremy Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:08:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35247 So I was doored twice and got a flat avoiding a ups truck making a u-turn into me. So I was doored twice and got a flat avoiding a ups truck making a u-turn into me.

]]> By: Marcus http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35246 Marcus Thu, 09 Aug 2007 08:38:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35246 I know most of the complaints about the MTA were about how the disruption was handleds service-wise, but just a note about it's root cause from an engineering perspective. Several posts mentioned this as another symptom of poor infrastructure maintenance, but I don't really think that is the case (the MTA already pumps millions of gallons of ground water out on dry days). Pumps and sewers are designed to accept certain volumes, and those are usually arrived at from design codes. Freak storms are just that, freak. Designing for this type of event would add hundreds of millions of dollars in cost to the system. I think in events like this we all need to freak out a little less, chill at home for a couple of hours while they pump the system out and then go to work. It's one day out of how many years of your life? I know most of the complaints about the MTA were about how the disruption was handleds service-wise, but just a note about it's root cause from an engineering perspective.

Several posts mentioned this as another symptom of poor infrastructure maintenance, but I don't really think that is the case (the MTA already pumps millions of gallons of ground water out on dry days). Pumps and sewers are designed to accept certain volumes, and those are usually arrived at from design codes. Freak storms are just that, freak. Designing for this type of event would add hundreds of millions of dollars in cost to the system. I think in events like this we all need to freak out a little less, chill at home for a couple of hours while they pump the system out and then go to work. It's one day out of how many years of your life?

]]> By: offgrid http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35243 offgrid Thu, 09 Aug 2007 04:57:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35243 I don't commute, I just ride an ATB a lot between the West Village and the Battery. I rode today in--hands down--the worst traffic I've seen in five or six years cycling downtown. Drivers were crazed. Riders were crazed. I was crazed, riding sidewalks (albeit at walking speed) between Canal Street and Battery Park City (past cops on foot who sensibly ignored me) when not riding the wrong way on streets I ride other days, 'most every day, pretty much obeying traffic laws. At Varick and Franklin I managed not to get my legs severed above the knee only thanks to the kindness of crazed drivers. This was not a proud day for me or for NYC. South Cove wasn't even where I'd had in mind to go but, after stopping for a while to watch the folks who were getting ready to load the Moondance Diner on a flatbed, reportedly headed for Wyoming, scratch their heads, going the opposite direction from where I'd intended suited the day's dynamic. One more lower Manhattan low-rise block about to claw the clouds. Marvelous big old ailanthus in the middle of that block. Trinity Real Estate's remorseless frenzy to rid downtown of every last vestige of funky charm differs from Trump's impulses only in the fig leaf of charity Trinity applies to its gentrification. The block where Trump's first downtown monstrosity is rising also used to have a great tree, but someone else murdered it before he got the chance. Somehow, the weirdest part of the day was having missed the cloudburst that brought down the subways. I went to bed on any old hot summer night and slept through a meteorological event whose nasty effects I easily might not even have noticed. I don't commute, I just ride an ATB a lot between the West
Village and the Battery. I rode today in--hands down--the
worst traffic I've seen in five or six years cycling downtown.

Drivers were crazed. Riders were crazed. I was crazed,
riding sidewalks (albeit at walking speed) between Canal
Street and Battery Park City (past cops on foot who
sensibly ignored me) when not riding the wrong way on
streets I ride other days, 'most every day, pretty much
obeying traffic laws. At Varick and Franklin I managed
not to get my legs severed above the knee only thanks
to the kindness of crazed drivers. This was not a proud
day for me or for NYC.

South Cove wasn't even where I'd had in mind to go but, after
stopping for a while to watch the folks who were getting
ready to load the Moondance Diner on a flatbed, reportedly
headed for Wyoming, scratch their heads, going the opposite
direction from where I'd intended suited the day's dynamic.

One more lower Manhattan low-rise block about to claw the
clouds. Marvelous big old ailanthus in the middle of that
block. Trinity Real Estate's remorseless frenzy to rid
downtown of every last vestige of funky charm differs from
Trump's impulses only in the fig leaf of charity Trinity
applies to its gentrification. The block where Trump's first
downtown monstrosity is rising also used to have a great
tree, but someone else murdered it before he got the chance.

Somehow, the weirdest part of the day was having missed the
cloudburst that brought down the subways. I went to bed on
any old hot summer night and slept through a meteorological
event whose nasty effects I easily might not even have noticed.

]]> By: Greg http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35240 Greg Thu, 09 Aug 2007 03:34:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35240 Biked in an did not even realize anything had happened until co-workers started texting to say they would be in late. Biked in an did not even realize anything had happened until co-workers started texting to say they would be in late.

]]> By: Abbath http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35236 Abbath Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:34:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35236 I rode my bike from Park Slope. I yelled at pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge. Just like every day, duh! I rode my bike from Park Slope. I yelled at pedestrians on the Brooklyn Bridge. Just like every day, duh!

]]> By: Tuna Loaf http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35232 Tuna Loaf Thu, 09 Aug 2007 02:11:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35232 Rode on a bus from Harlem to Canal Street. Took 2 hours. As far as I can tell, that's not an unusual speed for a Manhattan bus. We need an effective traffic management plan in this city, and a coordinated plan for transit emergencies such as today's. Being on a packed full bus that had to yield to merging single occupant vehicles, and seeing masses of people turned away from bus entry was pretty frustrating. If the subway fails, implementation and enforcement of bus priority on all major NYC avenues should be of primary importance. Rode on a bus from Harlem to Canal Street. Took 2 hours. As far as I can tell, that's not an unusual speed for a Manhattan bus.

We need an effective traffic management plan in this city, and a coordinated plan for transit emergencies such as today's. Being on a packed full bus that had to yield to merging single occupant vehicles, and seeing masses of people turned away from bus entry was pretty frustrating.

If the subway fails, implementation and enforcement of bus priority on all major NYC avenues should be of primary importance.

]]> By: P http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35228 P Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:42:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35228 Exactly, Fendergal. I don't think it's necessary to get off your bike- but don't scream at the pedestrians. And accept that they are going to probably spill over into the bike lane. A gentle reminder works. Exactly, Fendergal.

I don't think it's necessary to get off your bike- but don't scream at the pedestrians. And accept that they are going to probably spill over into the bike lane. A gentle reminder works.

]]> By: Fendergal http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35227 Fendergal Thu, 09 Aug 2007 00:23:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35227 My habit of dealing with spillover pedestrian traffic on the BB is to say things like "excuse me, pardon me, please" and say it with a tone and volume as if I'm on foot myself. It's easier to do when you're going slow, and you don't have to yell to compensate for your speed. The longer I ride, the less yelling I do. Maybe I'm mellowing as I get older? Anyway, we're all trying to get to work, school, whatever. Don't hold your breath for the city or MTA to formulate an emergency plan. My habit of dealing with spillover pedestrian traffic on the BB is to say things like "excuse me, pardon me, please" and say it with a tone and volume as if I'm on foot myself. It's easier to do when you're going slow, and you don't have to yell to compensate for your speed. The longer I ride, the less yelling I do. Maybe I'm mellowing as I get older? Anyway, we're all trying to get to work, school, whatever.

Don't hold your breath for the city or MTA to formulate an emergency plan.

]]> By: Davis http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35226 Davis Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:54:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35226 Sewell is a machine. But 499 comments in one thread? I'll stay here, thanks. Sewell is a machine. But 499 comments in one thread? I'll stay here, thanks.

]]> By: Yo http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/comment-page-2/#comment-35224 Yo Wed, 08 Aug 2007 23:41:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/08/08/open-thread-how-was-your-commute-this-morning/#comment-35224 Sewell Chan/City Room is the star of the MTA flood of 2007 - over 1,000 comments and stories today. Sewell Chan/City Room is the star of the MTA flood of 2007 - over 1,000 comments and stories today.

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