I'm sure many of us has seen this in the news, but if not: Park Ave closed to traffic for 3 days in August (http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/17/nyregion/17closing.html?_r=1&ref=nyregion&oref=slogin). It's also been reported in the Sun (described as a "nightmare") and on NY1. Personally, I can't wait to see whether this turns into something permanent. It'd be cool to return Park Ave. to a broad boulevard for walking and not a race track for TLC cars and cabs.

Hi,

As a native New Yorker, I am thrilled to read this news. I may have to figure out how to get out there with my bike for one of those Saturdays. Hopefully the experiment will be considered successful so that others can use it as a benchmark for other urban areas.

I saw the map on the news, and my immediate thought was that the Mayor just declared a car free zone from his apartment to his office!

It looks really cool though.

If you've ever wandered around Manhattan on a Sunday morning in August, there isn't all that much traffic anyway. The only real downside is that these car free mornings won't last long enough. Why not all day?

Hi,

As a native New Yorker, I am thrilled to read this news. I may have to figure out how to get out there with my bike for one of those Saturdays. Hopefully the experiment will be considered successful so that others can use it as a benchmark for other urban areas.

Not all day, only till 1pm. Better not sleep in or you'll miss it.

Yeah, seems kinda pointless if it's only to 1 pm. And people are still complaining.

Race Race Race!

Super long skid contests and riding through the Helmsley building!

You know I'm there...I ride early sat and sun mornings as it is

If you've ever wandered around Manhattan on a Sunday morning in August, there isn't all that much traffic anyway. The only real downside is that these car free mornings won't last long enough. Why not all day?

agree. the impact should be minimal. and it really should be an all day event. hardly a "nightmare" by any stretch of the imagination.

I'm a little disappointed with the plan, it doesn't go far enough. I was hoping to see them put in some semi-permanent weekend ped/bike lanes along streets (all weekend), hopefully linking the greenways on the east and west sides, Central Park, the bridges... I know, it's just a fantasy to be able to get from the Queensboro Bridge to the GWB without having to duke it out with SUVs on the pothole ridden streets...

I was hoping for weekend semi-permanent car-free "greenways connectors", with a few long stretches of closed off streets like they have planned. Just by using some temporary "greenway" arteries you could connect the greenways around the city on weekends. For the most part you could just take one parking or traffic lane instead of closing off the whole street. Make it so you can get from Battery Park to Van Cortland car-free. From Alley Pond to Central Park. You get the idea.

I would have gone for a much grander Summer Streets kick off.

This is probably a traffic study to determine the impact on weekend traffic. However, I agree they should've made it an all day thing to get a better data set. I give them props for trying new things, but they need to go all the way with the study.

As for east/west greenway connectors, maybe they should dust off Robert Moses' plan to build elevated highways that link the east and west sides at 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th. Except make it ped/bike paths instead.

I think I'm towing my kids down there tomorrow, though I'm not sure what we're going to do when we get there. Anybody else going?

Super long skid contests and riding through the Helmsley building!

I am sooo doing the Helmsley Building and the tunnel.

I am marshaling in riders from Queens all three weekends (for TA). I actually got roped into volunteering for the event today - I thought I was gonna be riding down to the Brooklyn Bridge, but instead it turns out I'll be standing around on a corner for four hours watching out for stuff. Kind of a drag (I'd much rather be riding, obviously) but I am interested to see how things go.

It essentially sounds to me like one really long block party. I would not expect to show up with bike and zoom down Park Ave. It's gonna be a mob scene with tons of kids running around, most likely, and cops everywhere, so a nice day out and whatnot, but these types of rides typically turn out to be 5 mph putt putts in my experience - fwtw.

well so much for that....I changed my tire last night and woke up to a flat this am...changed it, jumped in the shower, and it flatted just sitting there....I knew the answer immediately - sure enough, my rim strip developed a tear, which was puncturing the inner side of the tube. Changed it a third time (My last tube) and used electrical tape as a rim strip (fingers crossed).

Naturally I flatted (same reason) about a mile from my destination, about 2 miles from the nearest train station. Had to can the whole thing and walk to a ride home. Bummer.:mad:

oh yeah...my wife was in the area so she swung by with the car to get me - when I was lowering the seat to squeeze bike into trunk my seat clamp bolt snapped.:mad::mad::mad::mad:

It was a bust here too. We actually made it out, but it was noon by the time we got there and not a very enjoyable family day. I'm thinking of doing it again, but with an earlier start and fewer people.

I live on the UWS so I left my apartment about 7:30 this morning, rode around the southern part of Central Park loop to 72nd and 5th, and was very pleasantly surprised to find a dedicated lane on 72nd Street to take me safely to the start of City Streets. At 7:45 am it was exceptionally quiet at 72nd and Park - there were more police than bikes on the street north of Grand Central. Hence, it was very nice riding down to the Brooklyn Bridge. The only major activity was a NYRR fun run that was going northbound as I was riding south, and that was really small by NYRR standards. I got to the BB, crossed over, went down to Front Street, through Brooklyn Heights to the Promenade (though the Gov Island waterfalls were not working this morning), then came back over the Bridge and rode back up to 72nd. When I got back into Manhattan it was about 8:45 am and the street was getting more crowded but still not bad at all. I was back in CP by 9:10 am.

The good: the novelty of it, several spots for bike rentals, a big police presence to keep the closed intersections clear, well-marked "lanes" separating northbound and southbound traffic, families biking together, happy and helpful volunteers, biking the viaduct around GCT, direct hassle-free access to the Bridge.

The bad: pedestrians just wandering off the sidewalk into the street (no cars? I guess that means no problem!), stopping every 5-6 blocks for another car passage.

I'll likely be back next Saturday because it's different and fun, and we need to show support for these things in order for the city to back it again next year, hopefully with a longer schedule and more varied list of avenue closures.

Spent about an hour between 14th and near the BB entrance. Lots of riders, lots of peds, free bike rentals in front of Bike Habitat (rented one for my gf who ended up riding the brompton instead - I got stuck with a cruiser with double suspension, eck). Fun stuff! No one was in "race mode" which was a good thing.

Definitely had tourists sort of wandering off the sidewalks oblivious to any bike or rollerblade traffic, especially near the big intersections. At one point a dog walker insisted on being right in the middle of the bike lane on Lafayette then let his dog do it's business. At least he picked it up.

I was there with the girl friend. Fun stuff. It was just like the CM ride of the old days.

The G/F and I left our home in Sheepshead Bay and took the Bedford Ave and Dekalb Ave bike paths to the Brooklyn Bridge. Went over the bridge at 8:00 and the G/F was excited. We rode all the way to Central Park and back to Spring Street before 10:00 and the crowds were non-existant. It was a joy. We stopped at the Soho Grill and had BLT wraps with a couple of glasses of white wine (yummy). Then it was back to the bridge and over to brooklyn by 11:30. We took the Henry Street path to Union Street to 3rd ave, and then the Shore Pkwy path under the Verrazano and then to Bay Parkway, 86th street, Ave W and then home by 1:00 pm. The ride was about 39 miles and we were feeling fine when we got home.

Our only complaint was that we didn't see any porta-potties or bathrooms until we got to Central Park. Otherwise it was a great day. We are planning to do it again next week.

The G/F and I left our home in Sheepshead Bay and took the Bedford Ave and Dekalb Ave bike paths to the Brooklyn Bridge. Went over the bridge at 8:00 and the G/F was excited. We rode all the way to Central Park and back to Spring Street before 10:00 and the crowds were non-existant. It was a joy. We stopped at the Soho Grill and had BLT wraps with a couple of glasses of white wine (yummy). Then it was back to the bridge and over to brooklyn by 11:30. We took the Henry Street path to Union Street to 3rd ave, and then the Shore Pkwy path under the Verrazano and then to Bay Parkway, 86th street, Ave W and then home by 1:00 pm. The ride was about 39 miles and we were feeling fine when we got home.

Our only complaint was that we didn't see any porta-potties or bathrooms until we got to Central Park. Otherwise it was a great day. We are planning to do it again next week.

If I weren't working that's the way I would do it.
Early start. miss the crowds and get to sight-see a little.

sounds like it was fun! I am sorry I missed it. What a gorgeous day.

They did mention at the volunteer orientation that there would be no porta-potties, but there are certainly loads of places to duck in and use the toilets - not sure how the vendors/merchants feel about that.

I am leading the Queens rides in the next two weeks and hope to check it out then....assuming my bike cooperates (btw - cloth medical tape makes a better rim strip than electrical tape!:rolleyes:)

Just a reminder this is on again tomorrow and next Saturday (Aug. 16 and 23)

Hope the rain stays away!

We're splitting up the twins tomorrow, and I think I'm taking mine down for it. Xootr Swift, Burley 'dLite double trailer with one kid in it.

We're splitting up the twins tomorrow, and I think I'm taking mine down for it. Xootr Swift, Burley 'dLite double trailer with one kid in it.

I'm sure you'll have fun - but that sounds braver than the Swift on a century to me (the trailer in what will probably be very crowded areas!!)

My wife and I will be there! Now the only decision is to start at Central Park or start at the Brooklyn Bridge.

I'll be there tomorrow and maybe the 23rd as well.

Is the event rain or shine?

I'm sure you'll have fun - but that sounds braver than the Swift on a century to me (the trailer in what will probably be very crowded areas!!)

It wasn't too crowded last week when we went with the strollers--but the nice thing about being there with just one child is we can get out, lock it, and walk around. (Or leave and go to our favorite playground at Central Park instead.)

Is the event rain or shine?

Yes - so bring an umbrella, etc.

It wasn't too crowded last week when we went with the strollers--but the nice thing about being there with just one child is we can get out, lock it, and walk around. (Or leave and go to our favorite playground at Central Park instead.)

I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun - let's hope the weather cooperates. I'm bummed I couldn't make it last weekend...it was so beautiful out.:mad:

I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun - let's hope the weather cooperates.

As long as it's not miserably rainy, we'll probably be there. One of the things I'm trying to teach my kids is that they're not water-soluble.

I'll be out there. Dunno what I'm gonna do exactly, but dammit, I'll be out there!

lots of stuff to do - you'll find something


At the volunteer orientation they mentioned all the 'edgier' stuff is downtown...whoa, how cool!:roflmao2:

Wow, edginess. How hip.

I'm sure it'll be a lot of fun - let's hope the weather cooperates. I'm bummed I couldn't make it last weekend...it was so beautiful out.:mad:

As long as it's not miserably rainy, we'll probably be there. One of the things I'm trying to teach my kids is that they're not water-soluble.

A buddy of mine has agreed to go - if the weather isn't terrible. (He's a fair-weather cyclist and thinks he'd melt.)

I'm wondering - will NJ Transit to NYC be filled with bikes tomorrow morning?

All area storms are clearing out....should be very nice tomorrow!!

what a gorgeous day!!! Sorry I missed last week - this was a blast!!!

Be sure to get out and ride next weekend - last chance !! And please say a few words of thanks to the NYPD and all the Summer Streets Volunteers - they were out there working hard to keep everybody safe and happy today!

Wonderful morning. The police and volunteers were all very nice. Everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves. What a thrill riding around the MetLife building at Grand Central Station!!!

Man, if everyday was like that on Park Ave., life would be 10% nicer. It was beautiful out there.

We didn't make it out. Wife was up with my boys at night and needed to go back to bed, so we were stuck at home most of the morning.

Those of you who cross the GW Bridge: Did you know there's a beautiful little foresty park right there if you hang a left off the NJ side? I took one of my boys there today. The view of the GW is stunning, and there are lots of benches and shade trees. It would be perfect for a sandwich break on a long ride.

http://homepage.mac.com/noteon/Sites/blog/08_16_08/gw.jpg


I'm new to the area, so maybe I'm the last one to know about this...

Man, if everyday was like that on Park Ave., life would be 10% nicer. It was beautiful out there.

That's what I was thinking...it'd be one sweet daily commute.

Fort Lee Hysterical Park. Keep heading south past it and you'll discover the left onto River Road, and the NJ PIP. Great ride down under the cliffs, with very light traffic and lots of hills.



Those of you who cross the GW Bridge: Did you know there's a beautiful little foresty park right there if you hang a left off the NJ side? I took one of my boys there today. The view of the GW is stunning, and there are lots of benches and shade trees. It would be perfect for a sandwich break on a long ride.

http://homepage.mac.com/noteon/Sites/blog/08_16_08/gw.jpg


I'm new to the area, so maybe I'm the last one to know about this...

Wow, edginess. How hip.

btw, the edgiest thing I saw was a small soundstage with a theater/music stage for children and maybe a bike painting contest at the Times Up tent

Glad I made it yesterday. Was up @ 4:30 with the kid and let the wife sleep. At 10:30 I was finally on my way down. Sadly no link from the Queensboro Bridge to Summer Streets (one can always dream), but wow... Absolutely brilliant.

I have never had such a pleasant ride through Manhattan, even at 5 or 6 in the morning with little traffic.

It was nice and busy, but very relaxed. Even the roadies coming back from the crits were poddling along...

Hey, NYC, just install some nice big dedicated MUP paths like Summer Streets running like arteries around the city. Bloomberg? You listening? That way, after work, during rush hour, I could ride from work on the Upper East Side down to Union Square without feeling like everyone's out to kill me.

Absolutely brilliant. I hope it's still around when my kid is old enough to enjoy it.

Now... if they could just expand it. I know the amount of resources this must have taken is enormous... all the cops and volunteers, the organization. There's got to be a way to expand it though...

An awesome event. I'm going again next week.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3084/2773313958_d5692d349d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773313958/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3082/2773320320_1becd84e73.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773320320/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3277/2773322430_d3c933f67d.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773322430/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3011/2772477015_1236b7411c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2772477015/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3226/2773317154_7e9e50aeba.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773317154/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3090/2773335330_57e04792af.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773335330/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3121/2772487693_8846419104.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2772487693/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3258/2772481283_c9274ea82b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2772481283/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2773327964_cc2fe18690.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773327964/)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3212/2773345048_776d41d64b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/neilfein/2773345048/)

a quickr pickr (http://quickrpickr.com) post

cool pics, thanks! How was the brooklyn bridge? I figured it'd be too crowded to ride over.

I'm def. riding it next week!

Just fyi - Transportation Alternatives (http://www.transalt.org/) has a tent on 51st and Park (NW corner) and also down on Lafayette (west side of street) - if you sign up (annual membership) on day of summer streets you get a nice tee shirt of the event (I am gonna go buy one at their office myself).

cool pics, thanks! How was the brooklyn bridge? I figured it'd be too crowded to ride over.

I'm def. riding it next week!

Just fyi - Transportation Alternatives (http://www.transalt.org/) has a tent on 51st and Park (NW corner) and also down on Lafayette (west side of street) - if you sign up (annual membership) on day of summer streets you get a nice tee shirt of the event (I am gonna go buy one at their office myself).

The Brooklyn Bridge was indeed crowded. You could ride, but barely. There is a lane for pedestrians, and a lane for bicycles. You'd think this concept would be pretty easy to grasp. :rolleyes: