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As a dutchman visiting New York City a couple years back, naturally I rented a bike. A couple of random observations: - NYC in theory is ideal for traversing b

As a dutchman visiting New York City a couple years back, naturally I rented a bike. A couple of random observations: - NYC in theory is ideal for traversing by bicycle. Congested yet flat, much like (old) Amsterdam - It's not so much the lack of bike lanes in the city, it's more the ignorance of drivers that poses a threat. I can't tell you how many times I was cut off, simply because the driver didn't see me or didn't expect a cyclist. - On the other hand, fellow cyclists were behaving like mad men. I can totally see why people are having issues with cyclists. Running red lights, taking sidewalks, zooming in front of cars, that doesn't get you a lot of understanding. - Cycling in Central Park is somewhat annoying: joggers use the bike lane because they're faster than normal pedestrians. I've been given a stink eye more than once because I wanted to overtake a jogger. How dare I use a bicycle on a bike lane... - The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is fantastic! Except for the parts where it suddenly stops and you're forced to cycle through heavy traffic to get around the UN building (taking 1st or 2nd Avenue). I get that this is an ongoing project, but can they at least alert drivers that they're sharing the road with cyclists at that point? - I did wear a bike helmet while cycling in NYC, but I wouldn't think of it at home. Cycling is relatively safe here because of the minimal speed difference when you share the road. This is backed up by numbers: there are currently 19 million bicycles and 8 million cars on 16 million inhabitants. About 25% of all movements is made by bicycle. Last year, 212 people died in a car crash, and 112 people died in bicycle accidents. The vast majority in these cases were one-sided accidents by elderly people. In perspective: only 2 children died in bike accidents.

beachstartup 12y ago
> - On the other hand, fellow cyclists were behaving like mad men. I can totally see why people are having issues with cyclists. Running red lights, taking sidewalks, zooming in front of cars, that doesn't get you a lot of understanding. what's really hilarious are the justifications cyclists give for this kind of behavior.
akgerber 12y ago
NYC traffic and cycling is in a state of transition. Only now, after years of advocacy, are we starting to get the NYPD to even think about enforcing traffic laws, and likewise it took tons of work to get even a limited number of speed enforcement cameras to ticket drivers going over 10mph over the speed limit. Likewise, many city cyclists still practice the lawless messenger/madman style that was necessary to survive in a city with no bike lanes and no traffic law enforcement, and others revert back to it after being cut off by turning cars and riding past 10 blocks of a bike lane being blocked by cabs and cops and ... We're making steady progress in NYC, but we're not there yet. It seems like we're making a dent, with some actual enforcement of speed laws taking place, and widespread media concern about dangerous driving and people being killed in crashes. CitiBike bikeshare is a normal part of the city transit system, and now has competent management that are fixing its software and investing in its expansion. As you note, there's a gap in the East Side bike path due to the UN Headquarters. It's being filled, but since the UN Headquarters is sovereign territory, it's a very complex process.
prawn 12y ago
I think that until cycling is perceived as safer in a city, it is mostly the more dedicated, daring and reckless who are out there. When they're the dominant cycling presence, the public (especially drivers) can get a negative impression of cyclists in general. With better infrastructure comes a greater proportion of everyday types - students riding to university, people slowly riding to work, families, etc. This change is happening slowly where I live too. Many cyclists get the jump at red lights to get into a safe, visible position ahead of cars. Many ride outside available (but narrow) bike lanes because they don't want to be within range of a suddenly opening car door.

beachstartup 12y ago

> - On the other hand, fellow cyclists were behaving like mad men. I can totally see why people are having issues with cyclists. Running red lights, taking sidewalks, zooming in front of cars, that doesn't get you a lot of understanding. what's really hilarious are the justifications cyclists give for this kind of behavior.

akgerber 12y ago

NYC traffic and cycling is in a state of transition. Only now, after years of advocacy, are we starting to get the NYPD to even think about enforcing traffic laws, and likewise it took tons of work to get even a limited number of speed enforcement cameras to ticket drivers going over 10mph over the speed limit. Likewise, many city cyclists still practice the lawless messenger/madman style that was necessary to survive in a city with no bike lanes and no traffic law enforcement, and others revert back to it after being cut off by turning cars and riding past 10 blocks of a bike lane being blocked by cabs and cops and ... We're making steady progress in NYC, but we're not there yet. It seems like we're making a dent, with some actual enforcement of speed laws taking place, and widespread media concern about dangerous driving and people being killed in crashes. CitiBike bikeshare is a normal part of the city transit system, and now has competent management that are fixing its software and investing in its expansion. As you note, there's a gap in the East Side bike path due to the UN Headquarters. It's being filled, but since the UN Headquarters is sovereign territory, it's a very complex process.

prawn 12y ago

I think that until cycling is perceived as safer in a city, it is mostly the more dedicated, daring and reckless who are out there. When they're the dominant cycling presence, the public (especially drivers) can get a negative impression of cyclists in general. With better infrastructure comes a greater proportion of everyday types - students riding to university, people slowly riding to work, families, etc. This change is happening slowly where I live too. Many cyclists get the jump at red lights to get into a safe, visible position ahead of cars. Many ride outside available (but narrow) bike lanes because they don't want to be within range of a suddenly opening car door.