Comments on: Eyes on the Street: Words Fail http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: galvo http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56995 galvo Wed, 01 Oct 2008 02:33:39 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56995 fdr , police lingo trivia i believe a bus is an ambulance. what a bunch of tools parking in the bus lane fdr , police lingo trivia i believe a bus is an ambulance.
what a bunch of tools parking in the bus lane

]]> By: dk http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56989 dk Tue, 30 Sep 2008 19:56:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56989 I work on 34th and have noticed that the police occasionally take up the entire bus lane between 7th and 8th Aves, usually somewhere around lunch time. I have no idea what they are doing, but they usually leave after hanging about for an hour or so (not sure about this, as I don't sit around and wait to see what happens, but notice they are gone when I'm back from lunch). Also, most of the cars are idling while they wait for whatever it is they are preparing to do... I work on 34th and have noticed that the police occasionally take up the entire bus lane between 7th and 8th Aves, usually somewhere around lunch time. I have no idea what they are doing, but they usually leave after hanging about for an hour or so (not sure about this, as I don't sit around and wait to see what happens, but notice they are gone when I'm back from lunch). Also, most of the cars are idling while they wait for whatever it is they are preparing to do...

]]> By: Astoria Bike http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56945 Astoria Bike Tue, 30 Sep 2008 01:37:50 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56945 Cops do need to stop their cars somewhere. But why don't they just park in the first traffic lane? Then traffic can get by (slower) and buses can get by (faster). The bus lane should be the *last* place you stop, not the first. It's like I always wonder why double parkers always pull into the bike lane. I understand sometimes you do need to double park. Then do it in the traffic lane like God intended! Cops do need to stop their cars somewhere. But why don't they just park in the first traffic lane? Then traffic can get by (slower) and buses can get by (faster). The bus lane should be the *last* place you stop, not the first.

It's like I always wonder why double parkers always pull into the bike lane. I understand sometimes you do need to double park. Then do it in the traffic lane like God intended!

]]> By: fdr http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56934 fdr Mon, 29 Sep 2008 20:23:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56934 Have you ever seen a Law & Order episode where they radio for a police van to take a "perp"? They refer to the van as a bus. Maybe they think "bus lane" means "for NYPD vehicles". Have you ever seen a Law & Order episode where they radio for a police van to take a "perp"? They refer to the van as a bus. Maybe they think "bus lane" means "for NYPD vehicles".

]]> By: Cap'n Transit http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56879 Cap'n Transit Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:50:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56879 Davis, <a href="http://www.mta.info/nyct/sbs/" rel="nofollow">the SBS website</a> says otherwise: <blockquote>Select Bus Service Hours of Operation Are: Monday to Friday 5:15 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., westbound 6 a.m. -10:50 p.m., eastbound Saturdays and Sundays 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., westbound 7 a.m. - 11 p.m., eastbound</blockquote> Davis, the SBS website says otherwise:

Select Bus Service Hours of Operation Are:

Monday to Friday
5:15 a.m. - 9:30 p.m., westbound
6 a.m. -10:50 p.m., eastbound

Saturdays and Sundays
6 a.m. - 10 p.m., westbound
7 a.m. - 11 p.m., eastbound

]]> By: Davis http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56878 Davis Sun, 28 Sep 2008 18:41:41 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56878 James, Yesterday was Saturday and I'm pretty sure that Select Bus Service on Fordham Road only runs weekdays 7am to 7pm. James,

Yesterday was Saturday and I'm pretty sure that Select Bus Service on Fordham Road only runs weekdays 7am to 7pm.

]]> By: Anon http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56876 Anon Sun, 28 Sep 2008 16:32:37 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56876 We need these special lanes separated from traffic so no parking can occur. The same separation is needed for bike lanes. The bike lanes should be located between the curb and a row of parked cars so that the biker is separated from moving traffic. I don't understand why that simple change in space use cannot be done easily. It requires the same painted lines as the ones now existing but it will make bike lanes much safer and the bikers who don't use them will have to suffer enforcement. We need these special lanes separated from traffic so no parking can occur. The same separation is needed for bike lanes. The bike lanes should be located between the curb and a row of parked cars so that the biker is separated from moving traffic. I don't understand why that simple change in space use cannot be done easily. It requires the same painted lines as the ones now existing but it will make bike lanes much safer and the bikers who don't use them will have to suffer enforcement.

]]> By: James http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56874 James Sun, 28 Sep 2008 14:42:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56874 I was in Fordham yesterday and the Select Bus Lanes were covered by vehicles for blocks. They were rendered completely unusable for buses. I did happen to see an NYC Sanitation car (not a street sweeper, but a car) parked in the lane, along with dozens of private and commercial vehicles. There is no enforcement going on at all. I was in Fordham yesterday and the Select Bus Lanes were covered by vehicles for blocks. They were rendered completely unusable for buses. I did happen to see an NYC Sanitation car (not a street sweeper, but a car) parked in the lane, along with dozens of private and commercial vehicles. There is no enforcement going on at all.

]]> By: Michael1 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56867 Michael1 Sun, 28 Sep 2008 05:08:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56867 Just throwing out the idea that it <em>could</em> be UN-related detail. Then again, mass transit was encouraged. Felt like sharing that little point-of-view. Comments? Just throwing out the idea that it could be UN-related detail. Then again, mass transit was encouraged. Felt like sharing that little point-of-view. Comments?

]]> By: Ian Turner http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56864 Ian Turner Sat, 27 Sep 2008 21:43:16 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56864 It's true that the NYPD has a huge number of officers, but it's not really true that "human against human crime is no longer a big deal". There are some parts of the city where that is true, and overall the city is quite safe --- I believe that New York was rated the safest big city in the country. But that safety is not uniform; there remain many neighborhoods in Brooklyn that are unsafe at night, and muggings remain common in some places. What has dropped considerably is the murder count, most probably as a result of long-term tightened gun control. Many muggings are now taking place with knives rather than firearms, and that's a good thing. It's true that the NYPD has a huge number of officers, but it's not really true that "human against human crime is no longer a big deal". There are some parts of the city where that is true, and overall the city is quite safe --- I believe that New York was rated the safest big city in the country. But that safety is not uniform; there remain many neighborhoods in Brooklyn that are unsafe at night, and muggings remain common in some places. What has dropped considerably is the murder count, most probably as a result of long-term tightened gun control. Many muggings are now taking place with knives rather than firearms, and that's a good thing.

]]> By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56862 Andy B from Jersey Sat, 27 Sep 2008 16:55:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56862 Did you know that NYPD manpower is so large that it is bigger than the next 4 largest US PDs combined (or something like that, give or take a PD or 2). The reality is that human against human crime really is no longer all that big of a deal in NYC like is was 15 years ago. And with so many "eyes on the streets" these days, I'd say the first place that NYC could cut its budget is with the NYPD. Hell cutting the force would probably reduce crime since the cops are often the most flagrant violators of the law anyway as this picture clearly demonstrates! PS - BTW I love cops! But only the ones that respect the privileged positions that WE THE PEOPLE have granted them. Did you know that NYPD manpower is so large that it is bigger than the next 4 largest US PDs combined (or something like that, give or take a PD or 2). The reality is that human against human crime really is no longer all that big of a deal in NYC like is was 15 years ago. And with so many "eyes on the streets" these days, I'd say the first place that NYC could cut its budget is with the NYPD.

Hell cutting the force would probably reduce crime since the cops are often the most flagrant violators of the law anyway as this picture clearly demonstrates!

PS - BTW I love cops! But only the ones that respect the privileged positions that WE THE PEOPLE have granted them.

]]> By: Barnard http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56846 Barnard Fri, 26 Sep 2008 23:09:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56846 Good luck bus riders! Hope you have a quick ride across town! I believe N.W.A. put it best in their 1988 masterpiece... Good luck bus riders! Hope you have a quick ride across town!

I believe N.W.A. put it best in their 1988 masterpiece...

]]> By: fdr http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56844 fdr Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:37:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56844 Check the 34th Street announcement on the DOT web site. It says the new lane will be "enforceable" by the Police Dept. It doesn't say it will be "enforced". Check the 34th Street announcement on the DOT web site. It says the new lane will be "enforceable" by the Police Dept. It doesn't say it will be "enforced".

]]> By: merc19 http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56843 merc19 Fri, 26 Sep 2008 22:32:14 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56843 midtown south is 35th between 8th and 9th. This is traffic cop parking. There is a DMV and a traffic cop hub right at that location. Yes, the ones that write the tickets are also the ones that violate the law. Someone should also photo the parking situation on 35th between 8th and 9th. The cops park on the sidewalk, so far up sometimes, barely one person can pass. If you were on a wheelchair,,, yea... forget it. midtown south is 35th between 8th and 9th. This is traffic cop parking. There is a DMV and a traffic cop hub right at that location. Yes, the ones that write the tickets are also the ones that violate the law. Someone should also photo the parking situation on 35th between 8th and 9th. The cops park on the sidewalk, so far up sometimes, barely one person can pass. If you were on a wheelchair,,, yea... forget it.

]]> By: Streetsman http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56842 Streetsman Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:50:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56842 Re #5 I don't think there's anyone involved at the DOT or MTA that wouldn't prefer a separated bus lane. I think this was the quickest and cheapest way they could get this pilot done. Of course we have seen they have plans for a much more robust facility on 34th Street, but as part of a longer-term capital plan who knows how many years it will take (3? 5?) before it is constructed. What installing this temporary lane does do is garner public support for the separated facility. Photos like this rally the cry for a separated facility - cries that would not have been nearly as loud nor as numerous had they not installed this inadequate first step. Whether or not that effect was intentional, it does make at least one argument for phasing in things like this in small steps. Give people a taste and they will demand more. Re #5

I don't think there's anyone involved at the DOT or MTA that wouldn't prefer a separated bus lane. I think this was the quickest and cheapest way they could get this pilot done. Of course we have seen they have plans for a much more robust facility on 34th Street, but as part of a longer-term capital plan who knows how many years it will take (3? 5?) before it is constructed. What installing this temporary lane does do is garner public support for the separated facility. Photos like this rally the cry for a separated facility - cries that would not have been nearly as loud nor as numerous had they not installed this inadequate first step. Whether or not that effect was intentional, it does make at least one argument for phasing in things like this in small steps. Give people a taste and they will demand more.

]]> By: PD State http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56840 PD State Fri, 26 Sep 2008 21:19:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56840 Didn't you hear? The PD is taking over public transit in NYC. They are the only government agency with any money left. This is the 34th St cross-town SUV caravan pulling in to pick-up passengers. Didn't you hear? The PD is taking over public transit in NYC. They are the only government agency with any money left. This is the 34th St cross-town SUV caravan pulling in to pick-up passengers.

]]> By: Benjamin Kabak http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56839 Benjamin Kabak Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:58:24 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56839 This is another reason why The Times column from earlier this week missed the point. Until we can invest in true, separated BRT lanes that don't allow for cops or other types of parking, it's folly to forego subway investments and push bus lanes that simply turn into parking spots painted red. This is another reason why The Times column from earlier this week missed the point. Until we can invest in true, separated BRT lanes that don't allow for cops or other types of parking, it's folly to forego subway investments and push bus lanes that simply turn into parking spots painted red.

]]> By: Brooklyn http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56838 Brooklyn Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:55:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56838 haha Daniel, I was going to point out the same thing. Anarchy cutting both ways. Isn't tonight Critical Mass? Might explain the massing of vehicles. haha Daniel, I was going to point out the same thing. Anarchy cutting both ways. Isn't tonight Critical Mass? Might explain the massing of vehicles.

]]> By: Tipster http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56837 Tipster Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:43:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56837 I took that shot and just wanted to point out that 34th wasn't traffic-free at all; it took quite a few tries to get a clear picture. I took that shot and just wanted to point out that 34th wasn't traffic-free at all; it took quite a few tries to get a clear picture.

]]> By: daniel http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/09/26/eyes-on-the-street-words-fail/comment-page-1/#comment-56836 daniel Fri, 26 Sep 2008 20:40:04 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4642#comment-56836 I don't really want to open this can of worms, but the first thing I noticed in this picture was the wrong-way cyclist on a traffic-free street. I don't really want to open this can of worms, but the first thing I noticed in this picture was the wrong-way cyclist on a traffic-free street.

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