Advocacy & Safety - NYCTA strike and safety

not that anyone here needs the reminder, but just wanted to share my impressions of condidtions here in NYC today...

Exercise caution. While traffic is moving a lot slower, generally, there are a much greater number of inexperienced cyclists andinexperienced drivers out on the road today. MY approach was to assume nothing...especially on parts of the ride which are usually straight shots or places where you can make good time... for instance, how many mornings do you round the curve on the Manhattan Bridge bikeway and come upon pedestrians lollygagging and standing smack in the middle of the supposedly dedicated bike lane?

Good news is that from what I could see, there's rigorous traffic enforcement in Manhattan. Bad news was that Bklyn, at least, seemed a bit of a zoo.

Be interested in hearing others' impressions & advice, as regards safety/techniques/strategies in these interesting times.

best,
laika

Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave. are closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and bikes. Have fun blasting up and down town!

BTW, NY1 gives the following info that's useful to know during the strike.
http://ny1.com/ny1/NY1ToGo/Story/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=55640

I, in contrast, have seen NO traffic enforcement today. Lots and lots of police presence, but no law enforcement.

I saw the HOV+4 restriction being enforced at Church Ave & Prospect Expwy, Brooklyn Bridge and Manhattan Bridge, and there were cones out on the hudson street bl. in contrast, there were a lot of peds on the north (dedicated bike) path of the manhattan bridge, and when I got into Manhattan, the policemen there didn't seem to be turning them away.

Once in Manhattan the ride wasn't bad at all. The morning commute was better than on a normal day. There were a lot less cars and a lot less people out there. They lined the bike lanes with cones which actually helped keep cars from drifting in, double parking, and taxis pulling in for pickup/dropoffs. It seemed a significant number of people didn't go to work today though. When walking around midtown at 9am I saw empty cab after empty cab. If this strike is still going on tomorrow I think we will see more people coming in. I dont think most businesses can continue to pay people to not show up and people aren't going to be able to afford not getting paid. Traffic might get a lot worse in the days to come if this strike continues on.


I support the strike and TWU Local 100.
I also support the TWU. It was only a few years ago that the MTA was screwing the riders over with the same tactics. Claiming they didn't have any money and they needed to raise the fair then after the fair was raised we found out they hid a stockpile of money. Only a few months ago they said they had this huge surplus and so they have been giving out all sorts of discounts. Now they are telling the TWU they are facing a deficit. Also a year or two ago the president of the MTA received a 20 to 25% pay increase which makes his salary just over $200k. Maybe this is where the TWU came up with their 24% over 3 years...

I usually ride the bike path around Manhattan to get to work (hop on it @ 34th street on the East Side) and go downtown, all the way to the Battery Park, then connect to the West Side bike path and ride it all the way to 88th street, where I get off. (Nice and easy 13 miles, although the 'easy' part is dependent on wind direction :):):) )

Today morning was OK. In the afternoon though, there were more people than usual walking on the bike path and much more cyclists than before the strike (Agree with Laika, lot of them either inexperienced, or just out of shape). I had to slow down, because many of them don't seem to understand the function of their shifters (They're in the hardest gear and weaving from side to side. I try to give myself lot of space when passing around.)

Lots of chaotic car traffic around the Wall Street area and South Street Seaport. All in all though, I didn't mind it that bad. Weather was pleasant, I don't mind the cold when's sunny. I'll be out tomorrow too, as almost any other day... See you out there fellow NY riders, stay safe and Happy Holidays ;)

Fifth Ave. and Madison Ave. are closed to all traffic except emergency vehicles and bikes. Have fun blasting up and down town!

BTW, NY1 gives the following info that's useful to know during the strike.
http://ny1.com/ny1/NY1ToGo/Story/index.jsp?stid=1&aid=55640

OH MY! Madision Avenue was closed off? Now I feel like bike commuting just for the hell of it but New York Water Way into Manhattan is so expensive. For all those who don't know Madison Avenue, it's just a blast to ride down that street with no traffic.

Someone mentioned cones were placed on the street to block the bike path. I seen them too and I wonder why the police don't do this on a regular basis. Incredible.

I went as far as Toga (W64th) coming from around the GWB today to pick-up a few things, etc. Ft. Washington --> Riverside Dr. --> West End and back with some variation. I saw what felt like more cyclists than usual, some no0bs. I even tried to help a guy who apparently hadn't ridden in 15-20 years with a hopelessly flat tire. Anyhow, don't be fooled, the "enforcement" is selective. In Harlem, Washington Heights, etc the same old shennanigans were taking place with bad, illegal U-turns, parking in bike lanes, etc. OTOH I felt like I had more respect from drivers while on Riverside Drive (usually a crazy run during rush hour). Maybe the sudden increase in cyclists raised awareness?

The traffic this evening by 34th Street was horrendous. Seriously. It was grild lock with no one moving. I though all those cars with less then four passengers were not supposed to be in but tonight there were plenty large SUV's with only one person at the wheel. I would have felt scared riding in that mess especially with no lights like the bike messengers!

The traffic this evening by 34th Street was horrendous. Seriously. It was grild lock with no one moving. I though all those cars with less then four passengers were not supposed to be in but tonight there were plenty large SUV's with only one person at the wheel. I would have felt scared riding in that mess especially with no lights like the bike messengers!

Once a car is in the zone which is Manhatten below 94th st they no longer have to maintain 4 passengers. You only have to have the passengers to enter. Also the restriction is lifted after 11am.

Two Bike Pools were held today one in the morning and one in the evening. I rode the sound bike for the evening ride. No hassle, just a good ride. Here is the info if you want to join up tommorow.

Bike-Pool ride to work. Group ride. We already know the best way to
get to work is on a bike, MTA strike or not, now lets ride our bikes
together like thousands of people who cram into cars to share the
commute, only we're doing it on bikes.

Tuesday, December 20th, 2005

Meet 8:45am - 9am. Leave close to 9am
Brooklyn side of the Manhattan bridge

We''ll head over to Prince St & 6th Ave and then go up 6th Ave until
the entrance of Central Park at 59th Street

Dress warm, bring coffee, green tea, ban-cha tea, grain coffee,
redbull, rockstar or whatever gives you that buzz. Just like a
carpool we'll see familiar faces, talk about the job, who's cheating
on who, how mean the boss is, talk stock tips or global warming is not
a myth...ufo sightings...etc.

PS. If you are really enthusiastic you can join me between 8am - 9am
at the Manhattan side of the bridge. We'll be giving out donated
hats and gloves for and pumping tires for any unprepared cold
cyclists.


There will be another Evening Bike Pool tommorrow.

Meeting at the center park in Columbus Circle. (this is a new park and it puts you in the center of where the cars go round round. I have a feeling this will be a hot new meeting spot for events)
6pm.
It is a short, quick ride south on traffic-free 5th Ave. We can end at 49 Houston St and have some cocoa or you can continue onto one of the near by bridges to Brooklyn.

15 or so riders showed up tonight for the ride and it was a blast.
Please pass this info on to anyone who rides a bike. Press is welcome.

*edit. these events are being held by Time's Up!