Comments on: NYPD Tow Pound is Still a Major Source of Greenway Danger http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/ 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: Eddy Gregory http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43426 Eddy Gregory Thu, 24 Jan 2008 17:40:44 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43426 That intersection is just north of where I turn of the path, so I don't encounter it daily. But that facility is a complete blight on the greenway, and there is a severe visability problem - expecailly with the chain link. A solution would be to design the intersection more like the Peir 40 where there is great visability and a clearly marked bike lane. This area is still a construction site, which doesn't help. Also, unlike Pier 40 where visitors are attending park-related activities, these drivers are already distressed by their parking experience, and presumably there is a high percentage of drivers who regularly flaunt traffic laws. an aweful combination. That intersection is just north of where I turn of the path, so I don’t encounter it daily. But that facility is a complete blight on the greenway, and there is a severe visability problem – expecailly with the chain link. A solution would be to design the intersection more like the Peir 40 where there is great visability and a clearly marked bike lane. This area is still a construction site, which doesn’t help. Also, unlike Pier 40 where visitors are attending park-related activities, these drivers are already distressed by their parking experience, and presumably there is a high percentage of drivers who regularly flaunt traffic laws. an aweful combination.

]]> By: flp http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43191 flp Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:52:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43191 whoops.... "may HAVE the right of way" whoops…. “may HAVE the right of way”

]]> By: flp http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43190 flp Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:50:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43190 regarding the cyclists that "blow" the red lights, the thing one needs to keep in mind is that the traffic signal synchronization SUCKS! sorry, while i personally excercise caution, i do not blame many people for thinking, "why the F should i wait for the light signal when the cars still have the red light?!" sure, one should still pay attention to whether an auto may the right of way, and a dangerous situation should be averted. as for "errant" cyclists, let's not down that road again, at least not here. why? because i feel that auto drivers refuse to have the same discussion (as far as i know), so why should cyclists?! i know that is an unproductive attitude, but, really, the true onus is on auto drivers to change their habits. regarding the cyclists that “blow” the red lights, the thing one needs to keep in mind is that the traffic signal synchronization SUCKS! sorry, while i personally excercise caution, i do not blame many people for thinking, “why the F should i wait for the light signal when the cars still have the red light?!” sure, one should still pay attention to whether an auto may the right of way, and a dangerous situation should be averted.

as for “errant” cyclists, let’s not down that road again, at least not here. why? because i feel that auto drivers refuse to have the same discussion (as far as i know), so why should cyclists?! i know that is an unproductive attitude, but, really, the true onus is on auto drivers to change their habits.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43184 Josh Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:32:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43184 Sproule wrote: "Although we all know that an errant driver might kill someone, while an errant cyclist may only hurt themselves, cyclists are NOT helping the movement by riding like morons." That's not entirely true - errant cyclists pose a danger to pedestrians and other cyclists as well. Clearly not as much of a danger as errant drivers, but it's there. It does make sense that the bollards need to be movable in some way in order to enable plowing. I like the idea of a retractable steel bollard, something along the lines of <a href="http://www.heald.uk.com/automatic-bollards.htm" rel="nofollow">this</a> or <a href="http://www.heald.uk.com/telescopic-bollards.htm" rel="nofollow">this</a>. Sproule wrote:
“Although we all know that an errant driver might kill someone, while an errant cyclist may only hurt themselves, cyclists are NOT helping the movement by riding like morons.”

That’s not entirely true – errant cyclists pose a danger to pedestrians and other cyclists as well. Clearly not as much of a danger as errant drivers, but it’s there.

It does make sense that the bollards need to be movable in some way in order to enable plowing. I like the idea of a retractable steel bollard, something along the lines of this or this.

]]> By: beng722 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43179 beng722 Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:34:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43179 I'm on that bike path 2-3 times a week, mostly weekdays and mostly late morning or early afternoon. I don't recall ever seeing these little cones - I may have just not noticed them but I really think they're just not there that time of day. I remember the bollards after the tragedies but they're long gone. they seemed to be effective. I’m on that bike path 2-3 times a week, mostly weekdays and mostly late morning or early afternoon. I don’t recall ever seeing these little cones – I may have just not noticed them but I really think they’re just not there that time of day. I remember the bollards after the tragedies but they’re long gone. they seemed to be effective.

]]> By: Sainsbury http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43177 Sainsbury Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:05:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43177 Wednesday night, around 7 pm, I riding south on the path along side the Chelsea Piers and was passed by black SUV headed in the opposite direction. I turned and chased the vehicle. It was a disoriented, middle-aged woman who was completely lost. She stopped to ask the traffic attendant at the entrance to the Piers what to do. If the flexible bollards were still in place she might not have endangered the joggers and cyclists that evening. I wanted to report the incident, but didn't know who to call. While she was confused and none too bright, it's not entirely her fault to drive down the bike path when only a blackened cone is prevent her. How do we get the bollards back? Wednesday night, around 7 pm, I riding south on the path along side the Chelsea Piers and was passed by black SUV headed in the opposite direction. I turned and chased the vehicle. It was a disoriented, middle-aged woman who was completely lost. She stopped to ask the traffic attendant at the entrance to the Piers what to do. If the flexible bollards were still in place she might not have endangered the joggers and cyclists that evening. I wanted to report the incident, but didn’t know who to call. While she was confused and none too bright, it’s not entirely her fault to drive down the bike path when only a blackened cone is prevent her. How do we get the bollards back?

]]> By: Hilary http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43174 Hilary Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:26:55 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43174 Could the solution be one of those railroad crossing barriers that go up and down? It wouldn't impede plowing or park vehicles, as a bollard would, and is unambiguous about right-to-proceed. It's unfortunate to have to make either vehicles or bicycles wait when there's no need, but bikes can always "slip around" it when it's obviously safe. In any case, they will have been forced to be alert, and cars will be kept out.. Could the solution be one of those railroad crossing barriers that go up and down? It wouldn’t impede plowing or park vehicles, as a bollard would, and is unambiguous about right-to-proceed. It’s unfortunate to have to make either vehicles or bicycles wait when there’s no need, but bikes can always “slip around” it when it’s obviously safe. In any case, they will have been forced to be alert, and cars will be kept out..

]]> By: Sproule http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43173 Sproule Fri, 18 Jan 2008 02:15:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43173 I often see cars parked in the bikeway apparently after dropping off people to pick up their cars at the tow pound. That and drivers turning on to the bikeway is outrageous, but I also see riders blow through that intersection when the light is red, even when a big NYPD tow truck is heading out. The tow truck drivers, on the other hand, are invariably considerate and cautious. This is no doubt due to the cyclist deaths there, but they still deserve credit for behaving better than riders. I would say this is true up and down the bikeway, where I've commuted nearly every day for two years. For the most part drivers seem to be recognizing that riders on the bikeway deserve some attention. I even get some respectful responses when I ask drivers blocking the bikeway to back up. Although we all know that an errant driver might kill someone, while an errant cyclist may only hurt themselves, cyclists are NOT helping the movement by riding like morons. I often see cars parked in the bikeway apparently after dropping off people to pick up their cars at the tow pound. That and drivers turning on to the bikeway is outrageous, but I also see riders blow through that intersection when the light is red, even when a big NYPD tow truck is heading out. The tow truck drivers, on the other hand, are invariably considerate and cautious. This is no doubt due to the cyclist deaths there, but they still deserve credit for behaving better than riders.

I would say this is true up and down the bikeway, where I’ve commuted nearly every day for two years. For the most part drivers seem to be recognizing that riders on the bikeway deserve some attention. I even get some respectful responses when I ask drivers blocking the bikeway to back up. Although we all know that an errant driver might kill someone, while an errant cyclist may only hurt themselves, cyclists are NOT helping the movement by riding like morons.

]]> By: els http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43167 els Thu, 17 Jan 2008 22:19:03 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43167 I've noticed that the plastic bollards are removed every winter. I always thought it was to allow for snow plows (the bike path is always plowed really quickly), but have often thought there ought to be another solution. It's not unusual to see a taxi on the path. I’ve noticed that the plastic bollards are removed every winter. I always thought it was to allow for snow plows (the bike path is always plowed really quickly), but have often thought there ought to be another solution. It’s not unusual to see a taxi on the path.

]]> By: Michael1 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43162 Michael1 Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:23:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43162 There really should be steel bollards in place. Spaced to prevent motor vehicles but wide enough to allow bikes to pass quickly. This is ridiculous, it's a Class 1 bike route! There really should be steel bollards in place. Spaced to prevent motor vehicles but wide enough to allow bikes to pass quickly. This is ridiculous, it’s a Class 1 bike route!

]]> By: Will http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43156 Will Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:03:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43156 Josh, you're correct. There should be one there. Josh, you’re correct. There should be one there.

]]> By: ln http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43154 ln Thu, 17 Jan 2008 21:02:20 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43154 I rode all the way down the greenway yesterday at around 6pm-- and I noticed THAT ALL THE GREENWAY BOLLARDS HAVE BEEN REMOVED! And replaced by insignificant orange cones. I must have been there a few days before and they were all up. The minute those protections are gone, meager as they are. The cars start claiming this space as their own. We know that they (who are they?) are able to put them up again very quickly when they want. Eric Ng was struck by a drunk driver speeding down the path and killed at about 9pm. By 9am the next morning (when the press started looking for the bollards, which had been detached for months) they were all up again. I rode all the way down the greenway yesterday at around 6pm– and I noticed THAT ALL THE GREENWAY BOLLARDS HAVE BEEN REMOVED! And replaced by insignificant orange cones.

I must have been there a few days before and they were all up. The minute those protections are gone, meager as they are. The cars start claiming this space as their own.

We know that they (who are they?) are able to put them up again very quickly when they want. Eric Ng was struck by a drunk driver speeding down the path and killed at about 9pm. By 9am the next morning (when the press started looking for the bollards, which had been detached for months) they were all up again.

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43146 Josh Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:17:29 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43146 I could swear there used to be a flexible bollard where that cone is. Maybe some driver decided to ignore it and knocked it off its moorings? I could swear there used to be a flexible bollard where that cone is. Maybe some driver decided to ignore it and knocked it off its moorings?

]]> By: epc http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43144 epc Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:09:35 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43144 How hard would it be to surreptitiously drop a jersey barrier where the cone is? How hard would it be to surreptitiously drop a jersey barrier where the cone is?

]]> By: Bike Runner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/comment-page-1/#comment-43143 Bike Runner Thu, 17 Jan 2008 20:02:59 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/01/17/nypd-tow-pound-is-still-the-source-of-greenway-danger/#comment-43143 Oh, I'm sure the f*cker saw you. And he KNEW he was on the greenway. He was taking what he deemed a traffic-free "shortcut" Next time you observe that behavior, stick out your key and ride next to him. Oh, I’m sure the f*cker saw you. And he KNEW he was on the greenway. He was taking what he deemed a traffic-free “shortcut”

Next time you observe that behavior, stick out your key and ride next to him.

]]>