Comments on: CB4 Committee Supports Eighth Avenue Cycle Track http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 05:31:30 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: urban designer http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59321 urban designer Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:30:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59321 ****************************** NO MORE BIKE LANES IN NYC !!!!! - bike lanes, barriers, dividers, etc. are a waste of money and space. - the problem is bikers want to have their cake and eat it too. - they want bike lanes, but they also want to ride with traffic. - they also want to be FREE from obeying traffic regulations. ****************************** THE FUTURE: Pedestrians / Buses / Streetcars / SUBWAYS / elevated Magna-Mono-Rail THE PAST: Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. ****************************** “IF” bike lanes are forced upon the good citizens of NYC - - and “IF” the bicyclists want OUR respect .... then the bicyclists MUST follow the rules of the road. Until they do ... they DO NOT deserve a bike lane! 1) Bicyclists MUST stop at redlights. 2) Bicyclists MUST yield to pedestrians. 3) Bicyclists MUST obey oneway streets. 4, 5, 6, ) Etc., Etc., Etc. ****************************** ****************************** Bicyclists must also: 7) PAY TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE TAX 8) LICENSE AND REGISTRATION FEES 9) WEAR HELMETS AT ALL TIMES 10) HAVE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS 11) Have a BELL but use ONLY in an EMERGENCY 12) CARRY "PROOF" OF INSURANCE 13,14,15) ETC ETC ETC ****************************** ****************************** In addition: 16) Bicyclists MUST signal when turning and stopping 17) Bicyclists MUST ride with both hands on the wheel ..... (unless they are signaling a turn) 18) Bicyclists MUST NOT read or talk on their cells while moving 19, 20, 21) ETC, ETC, ETC ****************************** ****************************** Check out the latest Bike Lane Folly in Little Italy, Chinatown and SoHo: http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7887058&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1 http://sohopolitics.blogspot.com/2008/11/mean-streets-of-soho.html http://thevillager.com/villager_290/thenewgrand.html ***************************** Transportation priority in the city should be: 1. Essential Services (garbage/sweepers/emergencey vehicles) 2. Pedestrians (safe sidewalks free of bikes and dog leashes) 3. Buses and/or Streetcars (dedicated lanes) 4. Commercial Vehicles (dedicated parking and NO double parking) 5. Bikes (Messenger ONLY) 6. Pedi-Cabs 7. Yellow Cabs (Taxi's) 8. Medians (for Greenstreets projects) 9. Personal vehicles (with VERY HIGH PARKING FEES) 10. Pedestrians (they deserve another mention before bikes) 11. Bikes (for personal transportation) 12. Bikes (for recreation) 13. Pedestrians (they deserve another [3rd] mention) ***************************** ******************************

NO MORE BIKE LANES IN NYC !!!!!

- bike lanes, barriers, dividers, etc. are a waste of money and space.
- the problem is bikers want to have their cake and eat it too.
- they want bike lanes, but they also want to ride with traffic.
- they also want to be FREE from obeying traffic regulations.

******************************

THE FUTURE:

Pedestrians / Buses / Streetcars / SUBWAYS / elevated Magna-Mono-Rail

THE PAST:

Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past.
Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past. Bikes are the past.

******************************

“IF” bike lanes are forced upon the good citizens of NYC -
- and “IF” the bicyclists want OUR respect ....
then the bicyclists MUST follow the rules of the road.
Until they do ... they DO NOT deserve a bike lane!

1) Bicyclists MUST stop at redlights.
2) Bicyclists MUST yield to pedestrians.
3) Bicyclists MUST obey oneway streets.
4, 5, 6, ) Etc., Etc., Etc.

******************************
******************************

Bicyclists must also:

7) PAY TRANSPORTATION and INFRASTRUCTURE TAX
8) LICENSE AND REGISTRATION FEES
9) WEAR HELMETS AT ALL TIMES
10) HAVE FRONT AND REAR LIGHTS
11) Have a BELL but use ONLY in an EMERGENCY
12) CARRY "PROOF" OF INSURANCE
13,14,15) ETC ETC ETC

******************************
******************************

In addition:

16) Bicyclists MUST signal when turning and stopping
17) Bicyclists MUST ride with both hands on the wheel
..... (unless they are signaling a turn)
18) Bicyclists MUST NOT read or talk on their cells while moving
19, 20, 21) ETC, ETC, ETC

******************************
******************************

Check out the latest Bike Lane Folly in Little Italy, Chinatown and SoHo:
http://www.myfoxny.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=7887058&version=1&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=VSTY&pageId=3.2.1
http://sohopolitics.blogspot.com/2008/11/mean-streets-of-soho.html
http://thevillager.com/villager_290/thenewgrand.html

*****************************

Transportation priority in the city should be:

1. Essential Services (garbage/sweepers/emergencey vehicles)
2. Pedestrians (safe sidewalks free of bikes and dog leashes)
3. Buses and/or Streetcars (dedicated lanes)
4. Commercial Vehicles (dedicated parking and NO double parking)
5. Bikes (Messenger ONLY)
6. Pedi-Cabs
7. Yellow Cabs (Taxi's)
8. Medians (for Greenstreets projects)
9. Personal vehicles (with VERY HIGH PARKING FEES)
10. Pedestrians (they deserve another mention before bikes)
11. Bikes (for personal transportation)
12. Bikes (for recreation)
13. Pedestrians (they deserve another [3rd] mention)

*****************************

]]> By: Brad http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59307 Brad Fri, 21 Nov 2008 20:35:51 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59307 Is it just me or all the bike lanes are pretty much on the West side of the city? What's up with that? Is it just me or all the bike lanes are pretty much on the West side of the city? What's up with that?

]]> By: Sholom Brody http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59298 Sholom Brody Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:35:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59298 Here is the Lavander Herring commenter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK1aWdyWJSA Here is another commenter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Vds0nvnBc And one angry commenter: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BOrWOqqSY0 Here is the Lavander Herring commenter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lK1aWdyWJSA
Here is another commenter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3Vds0nvnBc
And one angry commenter:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6BOrWOqqSY0

]]> By: Mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59291 Mike Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:04:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59291 I actually think a bike path on 1st Ave would be better off on the right side, because there are *so* many fewer intersections on that side (especially in the 20s, 30s and 40s). There wouldn't need to be nearly as many protected, signalized turn opportunities if the path were on the right side, and therefore bikes and pedestrians would have longer green lights. Same thing with a potential uptown path on CPW -- if you put the bike path next to the park, it has far fewer intersections with cross traffic. I actually think a bike path on 1st Ave would be better off on the right side, because there are *so* many fewer intersections on that side (especially in the 20s, 30s and 40s). There wouldn't need to be nearly as many protected, signalized turn opportunities if the path were on the right side, and therefore bikes and pedestrians would have longer green lights.

Same thing with a potential uptown path on CPW -- if you put the bike path next to the park, it has far fewer intersections with cross traffic.

]]> By: J http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59262 J Fri, 21 Nov 2008 15:10:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59262 Mike, the BRT lane would be on the right side of the street, and the protected bike lane would be on the left. The problem is that the Avenues would go from 5 travel lanes, with parking on both sides to 3 travel lanes, with parking on only one side of the street and a small amount of loading on the other side. I think if the community board requested this, then DOT would implement it, but it doesn't look like DOT is trying to ram stuff down the community's throats if they can avoid it. It also doesn't seem that the east side leaders are pushing for this. The west side, however, has been pushing for these types of improvements for years. Naturally, they will be the first areas to actually see them implemented. Hence the 8th & 9th Ave cycle tracks, which seem poised to be extended up through Hells kitchen to the UWS. Obviously, you can't make everyone happy, and it's often difficult to tell who exactly represents the community. If you want the east side to have livable streets, get involved with your community board. Go to meetings. Start a group, like the one in Inwood that is pushing for the Dyckman cycle track. Mike, the BRT lane would be on the right side of the street, and the protected bike lane would be on the left. The problem is that the Avenues would go from 5 travel lanes, with parking on both sides to 3 travel lanes, with parking on only one side of the street and a small amount of loading on the other side. I think if the community board requested this, then DOT would implement it, but it doesn't look like DOT is trying to ram stuff down the community's throats if they can avoid it. It also doesn't seem that the east side leaders are pushing for this. The west side, however, has been pushing for these types of improvements for years. Naturally, they will be the first areas to actually see them implemented. Hence the 8th & 9th Ave cycle tracks, which seem poised to be extended up through Hells kitchen to the UWS.

Obviously, you can't make everyone happy, and it's often difficult to tell who exactly represents the community. If you want the east side to have livable streets, get involved with your community board. Go to meetings. Start a group, like the one in Inwood that is pushing for the Dyckman cycle track.

]]> By: stan.baranski http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59258 stan.baranski Fri, 21 Nov 2008 12:22:02 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59258 I think that protected bike lanes should always be two-way. 9th for example: so much space is wasted for one way lane ad a buffer! It could easily be a two way lane, like by the west side hwy. They would have to put up some traffic signs warning drivers it's two ways obviously. I think that protected bike lanes should always be two-way. 9th for example: so much space is wasted for one way lane ad a buffer! It could easily be a two way lane, like by the west side hwy. They would have to put up some traffic signs warning drivers it's two ways obviously.

]]> By: Barnard http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59256 Barnard Fri, 21 Nov 2008 07:02:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59256 Good point, Mike. Have you seen Paris' Mobilien bus rapid transit? It's a high quality BRT system, and the lanes are designed for exclusive use by bike/bus/taxi. From what I've heard, the lanes are wide enough for the buses to comfortably pass cyclists, the buses have two horns--one regular car horn and a special "bike" horn that sounds like a bell to notify cyclists before passing--and the bus drivers get special training to safely operate around cyclists. I've heard it's great and the lanes are very well used by cyclists. Of course, Streetfilms has a movie! http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/mobilien/ How about that on the East Side? Good point, Mike.

Have you seen Paris' Mobilien bus rapid transit? It's a high quality BRT system, and the lanes are designed for exclusive use by bike/bus/taxi. From what I've heard, the lanes are wide enough for the buses to comfortably pass cyclists, the buses have two horns--one regular car horn and a special "bike" horn that sounds like a bell to notify cyclists before passing--and the bus drivers get special training to safely operate around cyclists. I've heard it's great and the lanes are very well used by cyclists.

Of course, Streetfilms has a movie!
http://www.streetfilms.org/archives/mobilien/

How about that on the East Side?

]]> By: Mike http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59252 Mike Fri, 21 Nov 2008 04:15:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59252 wooDave, my guess is part of the problem on 1st and 2nd Aves is that they are slated for bus rapid transit someday, and I'm not sure anyone knows how that would work together with a protected bike lane. Would bikes and buses share the same space? Or two separate spaces? It's a lot tricker to implement. wooDave, my guess is part of the problem on 1st and 2nd Aves is that they are slated for bus rapid transit someday, and I'm not sure anyone knows how that would work together with a protected bike lane. Would bikes and buses share the same space? Or two separate spaces? It's a lot tricker to implement.

]]> By: Marty Barfowitz http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59244 Marty Barfowitz Fri, 21 Nov 2008 00:28:49 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59244 What's the stumbling block to Livable Streets improvements on 1st and 2nd Avenue? Why, that would be Community Board 8. What's the stumbling block to Livable Streets improvements on 1st and 2nd Avenue? Why, that would be Community Board 8.

]]> By: wooDave http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59242 wooDave Thu, 20 Nov 2008 23:08:23 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59242 the need for this is much greater on the east side where we don't have a greenway. what is the stumbling block for a cycle track on 1rst and 2nd avenues? the need for this is much greater on the east side where we don't have a greenway. what is the stumbling block for a cycle track on 1rst and 2nd avenues?

]]> By: Josh http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/11/20/cb4-committee-supports-eighth-avenue-cycle-track/comment-page-1/#comment-59239 Josh Thu, 20 Nov 2008 22:18:25 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=4990#comment-59239 LOL @ the phrase "lavender herring". LOL @ the phrase "lavender herring".

]]>