Comments on: Bike to Work Day Open Thread http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/ Covering the New York City Streets Renaissance Mon, 23 Nov 2009 19:13:04 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8 hourly 1 By: Andy B from Jersey http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68274 Andy B from Jersey Tue, 19 May 2009 19:46:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68274 Bummer to be on vacation during bike to work day. That didn't stop me from riding 50km through the pleasant German countryside, sans helmet. Bummer to be on vacation during bike to work day. That didn't stop me from riding 50km through the pleasant German countryside, sans helmet.

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68124 gecko Sat, 16 May 2009 13:49:00 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68124 Wonder if DoT could make agreements with the city's abundance of sidewalk cafes and places with lots of people and windows on the street like StarBucks as bike watching locations to immediately ease the bike parking problem and provide free publicity for these highly amenable establishments. Wonder if DoT could make agreements with the city's abundance of sidewalk cafes and places with lots of people and windows on the street like StarBucks as bike watching locations to immediately ease the bike parking problem and provide free publicity for these highly amenable establishments.

]]> By: gecko http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68103 gecko Sat, 16 May 2009 10:22:17 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68103 First day I did not bike to work in quite a while; just for a change. Kind of felt sorry for people who know no other way than taking the subway. While walking, kind of amazed that an SUV could flip over on 14th Street during rush hour (between 7th and 8th Avenues) and close the street for hours. First day I did not bike to work in quite a while; just for a change.

Kind of felt sorry for people who know no other way than taking the subway.

While walking, kind of amazed that an SUV could flip over on 14th Street during rush hour (between 7th and 8th Avenues) and close the street for hours.

]]> By: Larry Littlefield http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68083 Larry Littlefield Fri, 15 May 2009 23:47:01 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68083 I biked to jury duty. I found that works too. I biked to jury duty. I found that works too.

]]> By: freckle http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68080 freckle Fri, 15 May 2009 22:16:34 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68080 I started riding my bike about two months ago when I got my job and noticed a lot more people in the Bergen St. lane today. It's very rare that I feel like an experienced rider, but I did huffing over the Manhattan bridge! The TA group at the end of the bridge was very nice and generous with the snacks. I'm so impressed by the enthusiasm and kindness of the biking community--especially during Bike Month--that I've been encouraging friends to hop on their bikes, too. So, thank you, you guys. I started riding my bike about two months ago when I got my job and noticed a lot more people in the Bergen St. lane today. It's very rare that I feel like an experienced rider, but I did huffing over the Manhattan bridge! The TA group at the end of the bridge was very nice and generous with the snacks.

I'm so impressed by the enthusiasm and kindness of the biking community--especially during Bike Month--that I've been encouraging friends to hop on their bikes, too. So, thank you, you guys.

]]> By: mcsladek http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68076 mcsladek Fri, 15 May 2009 21:32:46 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68076 I was biking to work long before most of you rolled out of bed. I leave the house at 4:45 AM to catch a 5:00 ferry from Staten and ride six miles uptown. Missed the TA breakfast for the second year in a row :(, but it's worth it to see the city so peaceful. I was biking to work long before most of you rolled out of bed. I leave the house at 4:45 AM to catch a 5:00 ferry from Staten and ride six miles uptown. Missed the TA breakfast for the second year in a row :( , but it's worth it to see the city so peaceful.

]]> By: Erin http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68058 Erin Fri, 15 May 2009 19:33:18 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68058 I rode up the San Diego coastline this morning. It was a nice ride, though there were some events out of my control that held me back a little bit (had to help a friend who's car died before work). All and all, I wish I did this more. Though it is a long 30 mile ride, I like finding ways to implement a <a href="http://www.scrubsmag.com/?utm_source=e&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=bc" rel="nofollow">healthier lifestyle</a> into my work schedule... it can be rough at times. I rode up the San Diego coastline this morning. It was a nice ride, though there were some events out of my control that held me back a little bit (had to help a friend who's car died before work). All and all, I wish I did this more. Though it is a long 30 mile ride, I like finding ways to implement a healthier lifestyle into my work schedule... it can be rough at times.

]]> By: gary fisher http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68054 gary fisher Fri, 15 May 2009 19:12:33 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68054 Wow Charles you must be have a slow day if you were staring at that photo long enough to notice that! Wow Charles you must be have a slow day if you were staring at that photo long enough to notice that!

]]> By: Brooklyn http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68038 Brooklyn Fri, 15 May 2009 18:21:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68038 I just put a brake on my fixie, so I rode it for the first time for the full commute from Kensington to Union Square. I've been seeing more and more cyclists in the mornings, not just today but all spring. Rode by the TA table at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, thanked them as I rolled by. A nice morning. I just put a brake on my fixie, so I rode it for the first time for the full commute from Kensington to Union Square. I've been seeing more and more cyclists in the mornings, not just today but all spring. Rode by the TA table at the foot of the Manhattan Bridge, thanked them as I rolled by. A nice morning.

]]> By: Liam Patrick http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68029 Liam Patrick Fri, 15 May 2009 17:43:28 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68029 Yeah, what's good with the image for this article? I've uploaded plenty of potential candidates to flickr from this morning. Yeah, what's good with the image for this article? I've uploaded plenty of potential candidates to flickr from this morning.

]]> By: Anon http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68026 Anon Fri, 15 May 2009 17:20:56 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68026 My office just moved to Times Square and I bike to work from Hell's Kitchen. Seventh Ave is great but I am surprised at the number of jaywalkers! A lot of people walk along the curb on 42nd street and jayrun instead of walk and often in front of buses and fast moving cars/taxis. Also the 8th Ave bike lane is unusable during rush hour, it's full of people going to PA or 2x parked cars. It may takes something awful for this to change. if that many people are overflowing off the sidewalk then perhaps a car lane should be given up, no? More peds could fit in a car lane than a line of cars w/ only 1 person driving no. But overall, things are better! My office just moved to Times Square and I bike to work from Hell's Kitchen. Seventh Ave is great but I am surprised at the number of jaywalkers! A lot of people walk along the curb on 42nd street and jayrun instead of walk and often in front of buses and fast moving cars/taxis. Also the 8th Ave bike lane is unusable during rush hour, it's full of people going to PA or 2x parked cars. It may takes something awful for this to change. if that many people are overflowing off the sidewalk then perhaps a car lane should be given up, no? More peds could fit in a car lane than a line of cars w/ only 1 person driving no. But overall, things are better!

]]> By: Charles Siegel http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68023 Charles Siegel Fri, 15 May 2009 16:45:07 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68023 Look closely at the picture and you will see that the rear tire is badly in need of more air. Look closely at the picture and you will see that the rear tire is badly in need of more air.

]]> By: meb http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68021 meb Fri, 15 May 2009 16:29:40 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68021 The TA crew looked pretty busy on the Queensboro Bridge. I was running late, and I'm already a TA member and I've got too much bike junk anyway, so I passed on by w/out snagging whatever breakfast snacky-cakes they had. I'm only kind of half looking forward to the nicer weather. While I'm all for more people biking in, the Queensboro MUP gets to be a bit crowded with all the construction and a lot of bikes and peds mixing. I heard about TA on WNYC this morning too, they mentioned that TA was giving out booklets on road rules for cyclists... I think that's a good thing. I have to be realistic and say that you've got to use your best judgement while riding, and just "try to be nice". The TA crew looked pretty busy on the Queensboro Bridge. I was running late, and I'm already a TA member and I've got too much bike junk anyway, so I passed on by w/out snagging whatever breakfast snacky-cakes they had.

I'm only kind of half looking forward to the nicer weather. While I'm all for more people biking in, the Queensboro MUP gets to be a bit crowded with all the construction and a lot of bikes and peds mixing.

I heard about TA on WNYC this morning too, they mentioned that TA was giving out booklets on road rules for cyclists... I think that's a good thing. I have to be realistic and say that you've got to use your best judgement while riding, and just "try to be nice".

]]> By: Geck http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68020 Geck Fri, 15 May 2009 16:13:19 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68020 I was feeling great with all the bikers out on Bergen Street but got angry to see a cab and SUV using the Smith Street bike lane to pass the backed-up cars. Actually, though, I am surprised not to see that move more often. And Centre Street is definitely the weak/missing link between the Brooklyn Bridge and Lafayette Street and other SoHo lanes. I was feeling great with all the bikers out on Bergen Street but got angry to see a cab and SUV using the Smith Street bike lane to pass the backed-up cars. Actually, though, I am surprised not to see that move more often.
And Centre Street is definitely the weak/missing link between the Brooklyn Bridge and Lafayette Street and other SoHo lanes.

]]> By: Gwin http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68017 Gwin Fri, 15 May 2009 15:29:21 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68017 Rode my normal commute this morning from W 144th to Park & 47th: down Convent/Morningside, across 110, down 5th avenue, over to Park at 62nd... I didn't see any additional bikers out on this 6-mile ride; nor did I see any other signs that it was "Bike to Work Day." It was a beautiful morning for a ride, though. Rode my normal commute this morning from W 144th to Park & 47th: down Convent/Morningside, across 110, down 5th avenue, over to Park at 62nd...

I didn't see any additional bikers out on this 6-mile ride; nor did I see any other signs that it was "Bike to Work Day."

It was a beautiful morning for a ride, though.

]]> By: Dan Berkman http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68016 Dan Berkman Fri, 15 May 2009 15:24:30 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68016 Totally would've biked in today but I lost my job last month. Maybe next year. I was hoping to ride into Manhattan for some lunch but it's not in the cards. Might hit the propsect park loop in the afternoon if the weather holds. Totally would've biked in today but I lost my job last month. Maybe next year. I was hoping to ride into Manhattan for some lunch but it's not in the cards. Might hit the propsect park loop in the afternoon if the weather holds.

]]> By: Carice http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68015 Carice Fri, 15 May 2009 15:24:09 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68015 Not a NYC group, but in Cambridge, I convoyed in with a group in suits and dresses from the Swiss Consulate into downtown Boston to promote cycling in "normal" work clothes. Not a NYC group, but in Cambridge, I convoyed in with a group in suits and dresses from the Swiss Consulate into downtown Boston to promote cycling in "normal" work clothes.

]]> By: Jonathan http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68014 Jonathan Fri, 15 May 2009 14:56:48 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68014 Good weather and an early start got me in the mood to hammer today, so I made it in 13 minutes, faster than my recent 15-minute average, but strangely enough my boss had picked up the BTWD vibe (did she read AMNY?) and asked me about my commute at the watercooler. Good weather and an early start got me in the mood to hammer today, so I made it in 13 minutes, faster than my recent 15-minute average, but strangely enough my boss had picked up the BTWD vibe (did she read AMNY?) and asked me about my commute at the watercooler.

]]> By: Emily http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68013 Emily Fri, 15 May 2009 14:52:05 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68013 I wrote about my bike to work day here http://bikeworm.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/national-bike-to-work-day/ at my blog. New York is just getting better and better for bikers! There's a new bike patah being created across the street from my office right now. I wrote about my bike to work day here http://bikeworm.wordpress.com/2009/05/15/national-bike-to-work-day/ at my blog. New York is just getting better and better for bikers! There's a new bike patah being created across the street from my office right now.

]]> By: vnm http://www.streetsblog.org/2009/05/15/bike-to-work-day-open-thread/comment-page-1/#comment-68012 vnm Fri, 15 May 2009 14:51:06 +0000 http://www.streetsblog.org/?p=6153#comment-68012 If I had remembered that the Central Park loop drive was a motor speedway two thirds dedicated to automobiles, I would have just taken the direct route, Fifth Avenue, and mixed it up with the buses. So, my mistake. The ride was basically uneventful, except I had to portage, if you'll allow a canoe analogy, past 44th & Broadway because the main part of the street was opened for a Good Morning America TV shoot with waves of exuberant spectators. (And closed to cyclists and cars.) If I had remembered that the Central Park loop drive was a motor speedway two thirds dedicated to automobiles, I would have just taken the direct route, Fifth Avenue, and mixed it up with the buses. So, my mistake.

The ride was basically uneventful, except I had to portage, if you'll allow a canoe analogy, past 44th & Broadway because the main part of the street was opened for a Good Morning America TV shoot with waves of exuberant spectators. (And closed to cyclists and cars.)

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