Comments on: Car-Free Saturdays Will Open Path For Peds and Bikes From City Hall to 72nd http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:40:14 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-52046 ddartley Tue, 17 Jun 2008 14:14:10 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-52046 Thanks, Spud. Thanks, Spud.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-52001 Andy B from Jersey Mon, 16 Jun 2008 20:58:57 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-52001 Tom, valid point. Still I was referring more to the issue of closing streets to traffic. Roger, from my friends on the inside of NYCDoT, the city government now "gets it" (at least within the Bloomberg Administration). Its convincing the car driving masses that will still take time. Maybe $200/barrel oil will start them thinking. $140/barrel oil sure hasn't! Tom, valid point. Still I was referring more to the issue of closing streets to traffic.

Roger, from my friends on the inside of NYCDoT, the city government now "gets it" (at least within the Bloomberg Administration). Its convincing the car driving masses that will still take time. Maybe $200/barrel oil will start them thinking. $140/barrel oil sure hasn't!

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51996 Spud Spudly Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:38:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51996 This letter: <b>To the Editor: Thank you for mentioning the problem with using 30 miles per hour as the default speed limit in a city teeming with pedestrians, especially one where pedestrians far outnumber car occupants. My sister and her friend were killed in 1991 by a speeding driver while crossing a city street, a result of a glaring and yet easily solved safety flaw. David Dartley Stuyvesant Town</b> I don't know, sounds OK to me but I didn't see the original. I'm guessing that maybe you meant a different safety flaw than the speed limit? I've written some letters for publication in the Times and yes, you should ask them to send you the edited version before they print it. But don't fret, you got a good point across even if it wasn't exactly the one you may have meant. This letter:

To the Editor:

Thank you for mentioning the problem with using 30 miles per hour as the default speed limit in a city teeming with pedestrians, especially one where pedestrians far outnumber car occupants.

My sister and her friend were killed in 1991 by a speeding driver while crossing a city street, a result of a glaring and yet easily solved safety flaw.
David Dartley
Stuyvesant Town

I don't know, sounds OK to me but I didn't see the original. I'm guessing that maybe you meant a different safety flaw than the speed limit? I've written some letters for publication in the Times and yes, you should ask them to send you the edited version before they print it. But don't fret, you got a good point across even if it wasn't exactly the one you may have meant.

]]> By: Roger http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51995 Roger Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:29:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51995 The whole idea appears to be for the city to be able to have its cake and eat it, too. That is, have some car-free streets (or bike lanes, or a bike-share program, or what have you) while invconveniencing as few drivers as possible, if any. Hence the meager 7am to 1pm window. The city doesn't seem to have yet gotten the memo from Paris, Copenhagen, Bogota, etc., that you can't make any real progress in terms of modal shift without inconveniencing a few drivers. I mean, come on, they can't even bring themselves to make the roads in our parks car-free -- roads that never, ever were supposed to handle traffic in the first place. The whole idea appears to be for the city to be able to have its cake and eat it, too. That is, have some car-free streets (or bike lanes, or a bike-share program, or what have you) while invconveniencing as few drivers as possible, if any. Hence the meager 7am to 1pm window. The city doesn't seem to have yet gotten the memo from Paris, Copenhagen, Bogota, etc., that you can't make any real progress in terms of modal shift without inconveniencing a few drivers. I mean, come on, they can't even bring themselves to make the roads in our parks car-free -- roads that never, ever were supposed to handle traffic in the first place.

]]> By: Tom Rorb http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51993 Tom Rorb Mon, 16 Jun 2008 19:15:13 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51993 Andy B - you gotta pay alot of $$$ to do Bike NY. This is free. Big difference. Andy B - you gotta pay alot of $$$ to do Bike NY. This is free. Big difference.

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51992 Urbanis Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:59:31 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51992 Yeah, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. is way too early, especially since some of us need our beauty sleep, and my local Greenmarket is happening right at that time too. I'm grateful for the gesture, but I don't know how much I'll be able to benefit from it. Yeah, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. is way too early, especially since some of us need our beauty sleep, and my local Greenmarket is happening right at that time too. I'm grateful for the gesture, but I don't know how much I'll be able to benefit from it.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51991 Andy B from Jersey Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:57:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51991 PS - What letter was that David? PS - What letter was that David?

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51989 Andy B from Jersey Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:52:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51989 Heard about this on Wednesday from some former colleges that now work for the NYCDoT Alternate Modes Office. Sounds real cool. I'll be sure to make it in to the city for this. Also, isn't Bike New York already kinda' like a big car-free bike event? So why is this such a big deal? Heard about this on Wednesday from some former colleges that now work for the NYCDoT Alternate Modes Office. Sounds real cool. I'll be sure to make it in to the city for this.

Also, isn't Bike New York already kinda' like a big car-free bike event? So why is this such a big deal?

]]> By: David Dartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51987 David Dartley Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:49:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51987 Spud, yeah, that was me. I'm not thrilled with how the letter was significantly edited--so much that it actually ends with an illogical conclusion I don't even quite agree with. It's no one's fault but mine for giving my implied permission when the Times contacted me about publishing it, but I'd like to mention that I didn't write it with publication in mind. I sent it only to the Op-Ed's author; not "letters-at-nytimes.com" or anyone else at the paper. It got forwarded there, I guess. Nothing wrong with that, but I should have asked to hear what the final edit would sound like before approving. Any of you impulsive letter-writers, take heed. I'm glad that our bad speed limit got more attention, but I wish I had withheld the personal stuff. I didn't mean to air it out like that. Spud, yeah, that was me. I'm not thrilled with how the letter was significantly edited--so much that it actually ends with an illogical conclusion I don't even quite agree with. It's no one's fault but mine for giving my implied permission when the Times contacted me about publishing it, but I'd like to mention that I didn't write it with publication in mind. I sent it only to the Op-Ed's author; not "letters-at-nytimes.com" or anyone else at the paper. It got forwarded there, I guess. Nothing wrong with that, but I should have asked to hear what the final edit would sound like before approving. Any of you impulsive letter-writers, take heed.

I'm glad that our bad speed limit got more attention, but I wish I had withheld the personal stuff. I didn't mean to air it out like that.

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51986 Spud Spudly Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:38:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51986 Oh, those darned pedestrians -- so clueless yet so numerous as well. To repeat what I said in Today's Headlines about this, I hope they bring this to Columbus Avenue soon, I hope they make it a full day and not just 7AM to 1PM, and when they do I look forward to a nice BBQ in the street. I want to put a spray cap on the hydrant in front of my house and pass out hot dogs (Hebrew National, of course). Oh, those darned pedestrians -- so clueless yet so numerous as well.

To repeat what I said in Today's Headlines about this, I hope they bring this to Columbus Avenue soon, I hope they make it a full day and not just 7AM to 1PM, and when they do I look forward to a nice BBQ in the street. I want to put a spray cap on the hydrant in front of my house and pass out hot dogs (Hebrew National, of course).

]]> By: Tom Rorb http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51984 Tom Rorb Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:32:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51984 Damn folks, this is more than I expected in my lifetime. Let this experiment get tried out and go from there in future years. Baby steps (although this is a HUGE baby step) Damn folks, this is more than I expected in my lifetime. Let this experiment get tried out and go from there in future years.

Baby steps (although this is a HUGE baby step)

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51981 Josh Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:18:15 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51981 I hate to be an ingrate, but why only until 1pm? On Saturdays when I don't have someplace important to be, I'm not always AWAKE by 1pm, let alone awake and out of my apartment and in Manhattan. I hate to be an ingrate, but why only until 1pm? On Saturdays when I don't have someplace important to be, I'm not always AWAKE by 1pm, let alone awake and out of my apartment and in Manhattan.

]]> By: evan http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51980 evan Mon, 16 Jun 2008 18:05:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51980 I agree with the comment that Broadway would be a better choice. Aside from the fact that it is a continuous and central route, there is research that shows a car free Broadway would actually increase the flow of traffic throughout Manhattan. I agree with the comment that Broadway would be a better choice. Aside from the fact that it is a continuous and central route, there is research that shows a car free Broadway would actually increase the flow of traffic throughout Manhattan.

]]> By: Paulie http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51978 Paulie Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:40:36 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51978 Ciclovia is awesome, everyone comes outside and hangs out. This plan pales in comparison. What should be done is a whole area of manhattan, say everything east of this route planned be frozen from driving. Otherwise, you will have this mass of cars stuck all around the peripheral trying to move about. We'll see what happens. There should also be a restriction on cars in manhattan in general for that day- commercial vehicles only . Ciclovia is awesome, everyone comes outside and hangs out. This plan pales in comparison. What should be done is a whole area of manhattan, say everything east of this route planned be frozen from driving. Otherwise, you will have this mass of cars stuck all around the peripheral trying to move about.

We'll see what happens. There should also be a restriction on cars in manhattan in general for that day- commercial vehicles only .

]]> By: Gwin http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51977 Gwin Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:39:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51977 Interesting idea, but does this mean that cyclists are just going to have to weave through packs of clueless pedestrians...? Interesting idea, but does this mean that cyclists are just going to have to weave through packs of clueless pedestrians...?

]]> By: simple http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51974 simple Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:25:12 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51974 nice gesture but ultimately a huge c*cktease nice gesture
but ultimately a huge c*cktease

]]> By: Spud Spudly http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51973 Spud Spudly Mon, 16 Jun 2008 17:24:26 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51973 I don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere else, and sorry for going off topic, but was that ddartley's letter I saw in the Times this weekend? I don't know if this has been mentioned anywhere else, and sorry for going off topic, but was that ddartley's letter I saw in the Times this weekend?

]]> By: ddartley http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51970 ddartley Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:42:58 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51970 It is wonderful that this is going to include 4th Ave. up to Park Ave alongside Union Square. As someone who shops there almost every other day, I can bet that this will alleviate serious, dangerous, and annoying pedestrian overcrowding at the intersection of 14th St. and 4th Ave. Of course there's always room and time for more of this! I look forward to City residents realizing that there should be more and more of these changes in the future. It is wonderful that this is going to include 4th Ave. up to Park Ave alongside Union Square. As someone who shops there almost every other day, I can bet that this will alleviate serious, dangerous, and annoying pedestrian overcrowding at the intersection of 14th St. and 4th Ave.

Of course there's always room and time for more of this! I look forward to City residents realizing that there should be more and more of these changes in the future.

]]> By: Nick Peterson http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51967 Nick Peterson Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:27:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51967 I'd be interested in seeing this in other boroughs. Anyone know if there are plans afoot for that? I'd be interested in seeing this in other boroughs. Anyone know if there are plans afoot for that?

]]> By: Urbanis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/comment-page-1/#comment-51966 Urbanis Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:27:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/06/16/car-free-saturdays-will-open-path-for-peds-and-bikes-from-city-hall-to-72nd/#comment-51966 I agree with Shishi that I'd rather see the ciclovia continue all day, and indeed, into the evening--but then I love riding my bike in the evenings and at night. In any case, this is a huge and important step and I welcome it. Hopefully, it will be wildly successful and encourage further car-free events with longer hours and on a regular basis! I agree with Shishi that I'd rather see the ciclovia continue all day, and indeed, into the evening--but then I love riding my bike in the evenings and at night. In any case, this is a huge and important step and I welcome it. Hopefully, it will be wildly successful and encourage further car-free events with longer hours and on a regular basis!

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