Comments on: Upper West Side Livable Streets Advocates: Mark Your Calendar http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:07:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Wheelchairs http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-294583 Wheelchairs Sat, 28 May 2011 06:13:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-294583 I really appreciated your post, this would really provide the great information .Thanks for sharing. <a href="http://www.wheelchairindia.com" title="wheelchairs" rel="nofollow">wheelchairs</a> I really appreciated your post, this would really provide the great information .Thanks for sharing.
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]]> By: Peter Goldwasser http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37556 Peter Goldwasser Wed, 26 Sep 2007 03:58:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37556 RE: MOMOS It is true that the Council Member is very concerned about maintaining safe streets for the disabled. But, I also know that she is very supportive of new design ideas like the "cycle-track" separated 9th Avenue bike lane that you mentioned--especially when its design (like the 9th Avenue Model with its left side placement and other design features) will not actually hamper bus access for the disabled. I know that such ideas and comments were raised in some of the breakout sessions at the event this past Monday. Also, the DOT has set up a link where you can post your ideas for about the next 3 weeks: http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/westsidestudy.shtml Please do give me a call if you would like to chat more on 9th Avenue, possible future application in Gale’s District, or any other transportation related topic. Best, Peter Goldwasser Director of Policy and Communications Office of Council Member Gale A. Brewer 212-873-0282 RE: MOMOS

It is true that the Council Member is very concerned about maintaining safe streets for the disabled. But, I also know that she is very supportive of new design ideas like the “cycle-track” separated 9th Avenue bike lane that you mentioned–especially when its design (like the 9th Avenue Model with its left side placement and other design features) will not actually hamper bus access for the disabled.

I know that such ideas and comments were raised in some of the breakout sessions at the event this past Monday. Also, the DOT has set up a link where you can post your ideas for about the next 3 weeks:

http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/westsidestudy.shtml

Please do give me a call if you would like to chat more on 9th Avenue, possible future application in Gale’s District, or any other transportation related topic.

Best,

Peter Goldwasser
Director of Policy and Communications
Office of Council Member Gale A. Brewer
212-873-0282

]]> By: steve http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37487 steve Mon, 24 Sep 2007 20:49:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37487 The left turn signal phase helps the traffic flow but when it was introduced I believe they shortened the pedestrian green phase. Of course, the pedestrians borrow liberally from the left turn phase, so it evens out, but it's a bit chaotic and stressful for seniors and parents with small kids. The left turn signal phase helps the traffic flow but when it was introduced I believe they shortened the pedestrian green phase. Of course, the pedestrians borrow liberally from the left turn phase, so it evens out, but it’s a bit chaotic and stressful for seniors and parents with small kids.

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37476 Hilary Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:47:42 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37476 Glad you like it (the overpass) too. New York's parks are filled with similarly historic bridges and overlooks that on. You don't have to replace a bridge like that with concrete and steel to ruin it. Just cover its parapets with jersey barriers, top with chain link, and plaster with signs. Bicyclists and pedestrians should be the greatest advocates because they're going at the right speed to appreciate their beauty. Sorry to veer off topic, but any mention of that 96th bridge sets me dreaming... of one convert at a time. Glad you like it (the overpass) too. New York’s parks are filled with similarly historic bridges and overlooks that on. You don’t have to replace a bridge like that with concrete and steel to ruin it. Just cover its parapets with jersey barriers, top with chain link, and plaster with signs. Bicyclists and pedestrians should be the greatest advocates because they’re going at the right speed to appreciate their beauty. Sorry to veer off topic, but any mention of that 96th bridge sets me dreaming… of one convert at a time.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37475 Spud Spudly Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:37:08 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37475 That is a beautiful piece of work Hilary. I'm quite familiar with it. These days that same overpass would be a concrete slab held in place by steel I-beams. I may be wrong, but isn't that an Olmstead and Vaux original? And Mark, you're talking to one of the only people in NYC who's actually been ticketed for jaywalking. Just once, which means I've gotten away with it 99.99998% of the time. Honestly, the jaywalking issue never crossed my mind. But at that intersection -- if the cars obey the "No U-turn" sign -- it's perfectly safe to jaywalk halfway across the street during the left-turn signal. That is a beautiful piece of work Hilary. I’m quite familiar with it. These days that same overpass would be a concrete slab held in place by steel I-beams. I may be wrong, but isn’t that an Olmstead and Vaux original?

And Mark, you’re talking to one of the only people in NYC who’s actually been ticketed for jaywalking. Just once, which means I’ve gotten away with it 99.99998% of the time. Honestly, the jaywalking issue never crossed my mind. But at that intersection — if the cars obey the “No U-turn” sign — it’s perfectly safe to jaywalk halfway across the street during the left-turn signal.

]]> By: Mark Fleischmann http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37472 Mark Fleischmann Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:13:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37472 Spud, point well taken, but another one comes up. If the new rhythm causes us to jaywalk more, doesn't that make us less safe? After all, it makes our movements less predictable to motorists. Spud, point well taken, but another one comes up. If the new rhythm causes us to jaywalk more, doesn’t that make us less safe? After all, it makes our movements less predictable to motorists.

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37471 Hilary Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:09:11 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37471 Spud, Next time you're making that beautiful turn, behold the beautiful Riverside Drive overpass at 96th. A superb restoration of a historic park bridge done by none other than City DOT. Evidence that where there's a will (and community interest), there's a way... Spud,
Next time you’re making that beautiful turn, behold the beautiful Riverside Drive overpass at 96th. A superb restoration of a historic park bridge done by none other than City DOT. Evidence that where there’s a will (and community interest), there’s a way…

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37469 Spud Spudly Mon, 24 Sep 2007 18:00:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37469 Mark, I find that the left turn signal at 96th and Bway is not bad at all. Once you've been through there a time or two you know when the left turn signal is coming and you can safely get halfway across the street before the walk signal turns green. It gives you a jump you couldn't have gotten before. Of course, that's obviously not how the DOT planned it. But it works for me. Mark, I find that the left turn signal at 96th and Bway is not bad at all. Once you’ve been through there a time or two you know when the left turn signal is coming and you can safely get halfway across the street before the walk signal turns green. It gives you a jump you couldn’t have gotten before.

Of course, that’s obviously not how the DOT planned it. But it works for me.

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37432 ddartley Sun, 23 Sep 2007 02:48:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37432 HEY! It says RSVP was required by 9/17! HEY! It says RSVP was required by 9/17!

]]> By: Bystander http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37419 Bystander Sat, 22 Sep 2007 16:15:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37419 The greenway has already been designed (by Vollmer) and is awaiting construction as far as I know. Parks won rare approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to cantilever a path (that emits light) over the water. The Parks was very sensitive to the historic details of the parkway, which in this section is fortunately landmarked -- exquisite details like the nautical railing that I had never noticed before. Angus, I share your pain over the lack of guts to suggest that the road accommodate the park. I have a hard time getting people to accept the idea that a parkway is a park with a road through it. The greenway has already been designed (by Vollmer) and is awaiting construction as far as I know. Parks won rare approval from the Army Corps of Engineers to cantilever a path (that emits light) over the water. The Parks was very sensitive to the historic details of the parkway, which in this section is fortunately landmarked — exquisite details like the nautical railing that I had never noticed before.
Angus, I share your pain over the lack of guts to suggest that the road accommodate the park. I have a hard time getting people to accept the idea that a parkway is a park with a road through it.

]]> By: Angus Grieve-Smith http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37417 Angus Grieve-Smith Sat, 22 Sep 2007 13:04:38 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37417 There's a simple way to build a nice bike path between 85th and 92nd Streets - take a lane from the "parkway." As far as I know, nobody has had the guts to suggest this to anyone who has the power to actually do it. There’s a simple way to build a nice bike path between 85th and 92nd Streets – take a lane from the “parkway.” As far as I know, nobody has had the guts to suggest this to anyone who has the power to actually do it.

]]> By: bike commuter http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37408 bike commuter Sat, 22 Sep 2007 04:14:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37408 i wish they would finally finish the bike path along the river between 79 and 92. the close encounters going up and down to the promenade on the railtracks are to much... i wish they would finally finish the bike path along the river between 79 and 92. the close encounters going up and down to the promenade on the railtracks are to much…

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37405 momos Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:45:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37405 W 110th St between Broadway and Central Park West also needs attention from DOT. It has two lanes of traffic in each direction, widening to an additional 3 (but there's space for 4, and speeding drivers use it all the time) east bound approaching Central Park West. The street has MAJOR excess capacity for cars, the result of which is cars speeding at upwards of 35-40mph as they travel east towards Central Park. This street is a prime east-west location for a bike track. Even then there'd be excess capacity for cars. Put a landscaped median with trees and greenery down the middle. W 110th St between Broadway and Central Park West also needs attention from DOT. It has two lanes of traffic in each direction, widening to an additional 3 (but there’s space for 4, and speeding drivers use it all the time) east bound approaching Central Park West. The street has MAJOR excess capacity for cars, the result of which is cars speeding at upwards of 35-40mph as they travel east towards Central Park.

This street is a prime east-west location for a bike track. Even then there’d be excess capacity for cars. Put a landscaped median with trees and greenery down the middle.

]]> By: steve http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37402 steve Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:15:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37402 Yes, 96th Street is a disaster. The M96 is consistently the slowest crosstown bus north of 57th Street and there is terrible overcrowding due to bunching and non-use of articulated buses. A key bottleneck is between Amsterdam and Broadway, where the same florists' delivery van and clergyman's sedan seem to be blocking the right lane every morning I use the bus. I have found that I can reliably walk that block faster than travel it by bus at ~ 8:00 am. Some parking regulation is in order. Yes, 96th Street is a disaster. The M96 is consistently the slowest crosstown bus north of 57th Street and there is terrible overcrowding due to bunching and non-use of articulated buses. A key bottleneck is between Amsterdam and Broadway, where the same florists’ delivery van and clergyman’s sedan seem to be blocking the right lane every morning I use the bus. I have found that I can reliably walk that block faster than travel it by bus at ~ 8:00 am. Some parking regulation is in order.

]]> By: Mark Fleischmann http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37400 Mark Fleischmann Sat, 22 Sep 2007 02:23:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37400 It's unfortunate that the survey doesn't extend to 96th Street. Changes in the traffic signals, made a year or so ago, have made the intersection of Broadway and 96th more dangerous. Pedestrians have much less time to get across the street. The precious seconds have been reallocated to turning car traffic. With all the pedestrian activity surrounding the IRT express/local station, this is a real hazard, and one entirely manufactured by the DOT. It’s unfortunate that the survey doesn’t extend to 96th Street. Changes in the traffic signals, made a year or so ago, have made the intersection of Broadway and 96th more dangerous. Pedestrians have much less time to get across the street. The precious seconds have been reallocated to turning car traffic. With all the pedestrian activity surrounding the IRT express/local station, this is a real hazard, and one entirely manufactured by the DOT.

]]> By: alex http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37394 alex Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:45:53 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37394 I live in this neighborhood, commute by bike everyday, and I'll be at the meeting. I live in this neighborhood, commute by bike everyday, and I’ll be at the meeting.

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37392 momos Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:08:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37392 In fact I did draw it on the left. Then I drew in bus bulbs. ("What's that???") Then I explained how a wheelchair would move seamlessly from sidewalk, across bike lane to bus bulb. Curb cuts or other modifications would easily make this a breeze. And another benefit would be that cars would be physically prevented from blocking bus stops. "But this just won't work for disabled people." Middle-aged, out-of-shape suspicious lady standing nearby: "You're not one of those bikers are you?? You are all bad people. You ride on the sidewalk like it's your own." I acknowledged that there are bicyclists who ride on sidewalks, but it's not because they are "bad people." It's because they feel unsafe on the street with cars zooming by. In other words, it's a cascade effect. And that's why this physically separated bike lane is a good idea: everybody, including pedestrians would benefit. "But this just won't work for disabled people." They have them in Europe and it seems to work fine there, I pointed out. "But this is America. The Europeans abuse their disabled people. This just won't work for disabled people." In fact I did draw it on the left. Then I drew in bus bulbs. (“What’s that???”) Then I explained how a wheelchair would move seamlessly from sidewalk, across bike lane to bus bulb. Curb cuts or other modifications would easily make this a breeze. And another benefit would be that cars would be physically prevented from blocking bus stops.

“But this just won’t work for disabled people.”

Middle-aged, out-of-shape suspicious lady standing nearby: “You’re not one of those bikers are you?? You are all bad people. You ride on the sidewalk like it’s your own.”

I acknowledged that there are bicyclists who ride on sidewalks, but it’s not because they are “bad people.” It’s because they feel unsafe on the street with cars zooming by. In other words, it’s a cascade effect. And that’s why this physically separated bike lane is a good idea: everybody, including pedestrians would benefit.

“But this just won’t work for disabled people.”

They have them in Europe and it seems to work fine there, I pointed out.

“But this is America. The Europeans abuse their disabled people. This just won’t work for disabled people.”

]]> By: Zach http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37389 Zach Fri, 21 Sep 2007 20:02:47 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37389 ... re momos: The key to convincing planners is to draw the lane on the left. =) … re momos: The key to convincing planners is to draw the lane on the left. =)

]]> By: momos http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/comment-page-1/#comment-37387 momos Fri, 21 Sep 2007 19:52:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2007/09/21/upper-west-side-livable-streets-advocates-mark-your-calendar/#comment-37387 I ride my bike through that area all the time. Would LOVE to go to this event, but I can't make it. Is there a way to submit written comments? BTW, at a town hall meeting about PlaNYC I suggested to Gale Brewer that her district needs the kind of physically separated "bike tack" the DOT will build on 9th Ave. I even drew her a diagram that closely resembled the schematic street diagram in the DOT presentation. Her response? Such an idea is crazy because it prevents disable people from using the bus. She totally didn't get it. Come on Streetsbloggers, go to that meeting and set her straight! I ride my bike through that area all the time. Would LOVE to go to this event, but I can’t make it.

Is there a way to submit written comments?

BTW, at a town hall meeting about PlaNYC I suggested to Gale Brewer that her district needs the kind of physically separated “bike tack” the DOT will build on 9th Ave. I even drew her a diagram that closely resembled the schematic street diagram in the DOT presentation. Her response? Such an idea is crazy because it prevents disable people from using the bus. She totally didn’t get it.

Come on Streetsbloggers, go to that meeting and set her straight!

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