Northeast - NYPD blockade on mid span 59th Street bridge

Riding towards Queens on the 59th St bridge about 8:45am Wednesday 8-14-08 a Police Car was on the top of the Walkway dead center lights on. I figured as I approached, someone was injured or there was a problem of some sort.
Nope.
There was the one police car, one Police officer (a bit confused),6 orange cones, 3 on each side of the vehicle.
I asked what was up, but received no answer. Perhaps the officer did not hear me.

The effect was clear, the goal was not. Stopping all traffic, cyclists, runners, walkers and moving them into the cone mix which was 2 feet wide and zig zag through it to proceed.

There was no officer today on the lower portion at the questioned dismount area (sign spray painted over). I heard that the officer stopped people, but I was not asked or motioned to do so.

Okay I support our police blah blah blah, but whats going on?

Robert

I was wondering what the hell was going on this morning as well. I didn't bother asking, not worth the trouble unless he was going to stop me. Was a pain in the arse. Yesterday on the way home I encountered an officer at the bottom on the bike lane side telling people to slow down.

I'll check TA Queens and see if they know anything...

Maybe they're checking for drunk bike riders at 8 in the morning? Or the dude got lost on the way to the bridge.

Looking for expired inspection stickers.

just to be clear, They've been there since Monday - not in the same places.

The unofficial word is they received a complaint from someone about cyclists riding too fast especially when exiting the on ramp in Queens. Note that there is in fact a sign or two telling riders to dismount and walk bikes - which none of us want to do - but I spoke to the officer at the Queens end yesterday and she said they are giving warnings this week - tickets next week....

I imagine this will die down as the weather turns colder, but things may stink for a while.

We move too slow, we move too fast, why don't they make up they're minds?

Note that there is in fact a sign or two telling riders to dismount and walk bikes - which none of us want to do - but I spoke to the officer at the Queens end yesterday and she said they are giving warnings this week - tickets next week...

I'll give them some slack for asking cyclists to slow down, but if they start ticketing that's another story. They should just fix the access to the MUP so it works properly. A half-witted New York pigeon could have designed better access to the MUP.

Really though, it was the squad car taking up 90% of the MUP this morning that was antagonizing. The cops should be trying mend relations with the cycling community these days.

Tickets for not dismounting or for going too fast? It is pretty clear that you are not meant to dismount over the bridge despite the sign - I mean why make a lane for bicycles and one for pedestrians if they're both walking?

Tickets for not dismounting or for going too fast? It is pretty clear that you are not meant to dismount over the bridge despite the sign

you're supposed to dismount as you exit the bridge on the queens side - why this is not the case on manhattan side, I haven't a clue. Obviously nobody wants to do that. But lots of people are jerks, riding way too fast through the exits and passing at asinine moments...like I'm passing a pedestrian on the extreme right, and there are two pedestrians coming the other way - and some Lancewannabe comes around from behind me and zooms through the two foot wide gap. If I was a cop and saw that, I'd tackle 'em too.

I mean why make a lane for bicycles and one for pedestrians if they're both walking?


If you go over the Williamsburg you'll see a properly marked path - center dividing line, and it's clearly marked - bikes stay to the right, peds to the left. That means you and the pedestrians see each other as you approach.

The problem with the QBB is it is marked Bikes on one side, peds on the other - I agree, this is a stupendously stupid arrangement, clearly dreamt up by someone who has never biked over a bridge.

The first time I ever used the path I was heading west from Queens to Manhattan, and, against my better judgment, I obeyed the painted bike man and stayed to the left - and was very quickly screamed at by a descending cyclist to move the f*** over to my right. I still see newbies in the "bike" lane heading west - bad news. It's very confusing and an accident waiting to happen - about as dangerous as the type of inconsiderate moronic riders I mention in my previous post.

Da da da, da... da..., da... da... not feeling groovy.

(sorry, very lame joke, but I couldn't resist...)

I always just ride pretty much on the center line going into Manhattan. I just scoot over the white line when there is an oncoming cyclist. It isn't that bad of a system. I actually find the Williamsburg bridge a little more dicey since peds are on both sides and sometimes completely disregarding the rules by going in the wrong direction. I had no idea the dismount was for exiting the Queens side, that is really funny.

Totally agree about people being dumb. There is no reason to blast off the bridge at 25+ considering you have a sidewalk and likely car traffic impeding your path 20 ft past the exit.

But to clarify: did the cop tell you they will be giving tickets to people who don't dismount, or just to those riding dangerously?

Why not just switch bridges for a week till something new comes along and they decide to forget about the bridge.

Wait until Bloomberg realizes that bikes don't have licence plates to photograph when entering Manhattan!
Sheesh.

But to clarify: did the cop tell you they will be giving tickets to people who don't dismount, or just to those riding dangerously?

she didn't specify - I looked for her last night but no one was on the queens side (I got there later than usual, around 6:30 PM).

I'm going to try and ask about that. No way do I wanna get off and walk but better that than pay a ticket for something so stupid. I agree this wil die down soon. But to all the reckless dopes : S L O W the %@#$ D O W N!!!! You're ruining things for everybody.

Today's 'blockade' ( a NYPD scooter, lots of orange cones and plenty of cop-bridge worker loitering) was not only supremely annoying, it's going to cause more accidents than it prevents....naturally some moron blew by me right afterwards - narrowly avoiding a ped from behind as he did so.

Today's 'blockade' ( a NYPD scooter, lots of orange cones and plenty of cop-bridge worker loitering) was not only supremely annoying, it's going to cause more accidents than it prevents....naturally some moron blew by me right afterwards - narrowly avoiding a ped from behind as he did so.

At least the scooter wasn't taking up 90% of the MUP. It was the squad car that really annoyed me. I can deal with the construction vehicles, although sometimes they don't park well and leave a pretty narrow path.

The city should just fix the access to the MUP on the bridge. Heck, take away a car lane on the bridge and give it over to bikes during rush hour. Give the peds their own space during peak hours.

actually between the cones and the scooter it kinda was about 90%- but I know what you mean, the car is definitely far worse.

Those types of changes you mention would be marvy, but they're not going to happen overnight. It takes commitment and dedication from cyclists, as well as everyone else.

I urge everyone (cyclist or not) in NYC to check out Transportation Alternative's website (http://www.transalt.org/) for ways to get involved and to stay abreast of legislative efforts. They are a great bunch of people and I have definitely seen results from their efforts that benefit everyone who lives here...the results just take time and some elbow grease.

This has made it's way to StreetsBlog (http://www.streetsblog.org/2008/08/14/police-slowing-cyclists-on-queensborough-bridge/#comments)

Next time on the pathway take a look at the following on the decent into Queens where the sign
says instructs that cyclist dismount their bikes. The sign on your right which I beleive is green is spray painted over.
The signs on the left which are Orange are on the otherside of the pathway. My sense is that they apply to people on the sidewalk, not the ramp.

Ticketing for failing to obey an officers instruction is possible. The problem was the officer was facing the climbers. So when you squeezed through on your decent he was avoiding the climbers and not being effetive at his job. I mean if you are stopped at the top of a hill and then start down hill, you will pick up speed.

Next point:
If the issue was the construction workers safety I can understand. However when it was needed they had a flag man or person with a slow or stop sign. The officer can do the same. Of course after 2 years the painting is almost done.

This is just a waste of time NYPD manpower

Next point:
If the issue was the construction workers safety I can understand. However when it was needed they had a flag man or person with a slow or stop sign. The officer can do the same. Of course after 2 years the painting is almost done.

This is just a waste of time NYPD manpower

I agree with your last point; and your first. but the bridge is never done....just like the old story, they get to one end and have to start all over at the beginning again.

Just to chime in, I thought it was strange especially since the cop was at the slowest point of the bridge (just before the peak) when I'm peddling my butt off to climb the bridge (outa shape). I asked what was going on and he said "workers" and to 'go slow/watch out for them'. Going up the bridge from the Queens side, I had just passed DOT workers sweeping/picking up trash - they are different from the contracted Bridge workers as the DOT are City employees - so to me it made sense why there was a cop there. If they wanted to "Bust" anyone, they would have place themselves on the ends of the Bridge and that's not where they were. And coming home at 7:30, no one was on either end. Also, if they really wanted to give tickets, they'd get us all for going the wrong way coming back to Queens after we get off the bridge. There are always Traffic Cops and I'm surprised that they don't give tickets (I got a ticket in '91 for running a few red lights - $75).

In the evenings a cop was indeed at the offramp on the queens side - and she said this coming week they'll be issuing tickets - so, fair warning....

In the evenings a cop was indeed at the offramp on the queens side - and she said this coming week they'll be issuing tickets - so, fair warning....

Unless they fix the design at both ends of the MUP what good is handing any tickets out? The vast majority of cyclists seem to be in control (even if it may appear fast to some), and it's not like a few tickets here or there are going to stop the real troublemakers.

Here's my proposal. Just fix the bloody access problems.

Here's a start... Queens side (north side by MUP access). No more Crescent Street access to the lower level. Let the cars/trucks drive over to 31st Street or take the Upper Level. Eliminate that crossing. Move the buses in toward the center under the train tracks. Make it a 2 lane bus-only stretch. Create a large ped/bike path with limited access for local deliveries and Mama's food. Put in 2 or 3 large raised crosswalks that act like huge speedbumps for the bikes, this is for ped access to the buses or crossing the hellish mayem that is Queensboro Plaza. Make a nice big feeder into the Queensboro MUP. This is just for that tiny stretch of the north side of Queensboro Plaza...

There. But obviously I'm oversimplifying the design 'cause otherwise someone would have done something about the half-witted design that exists now...

This is just continued harassment by the police of cyclists all over the city. They have been totally embarrassed by the incident in Times Square and have been all over the city going after the cyclists for every infraction, warranted or not. They'll ticket you for going too slow, too fast, going over an imaginary speed limit, going through a red light on a road closed for cyclists. They are waiting there to do it.

I'm not even sure Bloomberg could stop the harassment, and I'm not sure he wants to. He should have told the police in no uncertain terms that the type of behavior exhibited in Times Square has to stop, but he hasn't. He just blames it on one rogue cop.

I agree it's ridiculous

Check it out: The second day of this nonsense I approached the peak of the bridge as usual - about 5 mph, granny ring x 18t or so in back. I am a SLOW climber! Normally I shift back to the middle ring as the path flattens, but since I saw the cop and the cones up ahead, I just stayed in the little ring. There was a pedestrian in front of me, and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to get off and walk, stop for the cop, etc etc, so I actually down shifted in back and wound up soft pedaling on flat ground in my lowest gear at a comical 2 mph or so (any slower and I'd have toppled over).

The cop was yakking it up with a bridge worker, and I just tried to make eye contact with him, like "What is going on here?" He finally looked at me at the last second, and gave me the 'slow down' signal (hand moving palm down) as I rolled past him. :eek:I almost started laughing - except it was so pathetic.:notamused:

but honestly, venting here is just preaching to the converted.

Yes, the approaches suck. My two cents: Write letters, call your local pols and get involved with local cycling groups. Griping to each other may feel good but it won't change anything.

I will say it is good to spread the word here and by mouth so cyclists won't get caught unawares...but you guys have some good ideas for improvements - I urge you to please submit them through the proper channels.

well, this AM was basically SSDD, police car parked at center bridge, no tickets.

Not that any of us were doing anything wrong....

Last week I saw the cop on the scooter on the manhattan side incline. He stopped a bicyclist and told him his hands were to far from his breaks.

Also saw a nasty crash a few weeks ago at the foot of the queens side of the bridge

Last week I saw the cop on the scooter on the manhattan side incline. He stopped a bicyclist and told him his hands were to far from his breaks.

omg, gimme a break....

Also saw a nasty crash a few weeks ago at the foot of the queens side of the bridge

was that the guy with the scraped up head? There were like 12 people all standing around him, blocking the whole path...I'm amazed there weren't more accidents caused by the gawking.

Yup, right at the foot of the bridge. I didn't stick around at all because there was already a police woman on the scene when I saw it.

but honestly, venting here is just preaching to the converted.


What? On bikeforums? Never!

:D

well, this AM was basically SSDD, police car parked at center bridge, no tickets.

Not that any of us were doing anything wrong....

And no orange cones... in fact, the cop was in the car and pulled all the way over to the north side. We'll see what it's like this evening.

I'm just not hardcore enough to hit one of the other bridges, commuting between Greenpoint and Park/56th.

Yup, right at the foot of the bridge. I didn't stick around at all because there was already a police woman on the scene when I saw it.

I musta got there just soon enough for the aftermath (but too late to see what happened)

that was one bloody forehead!

Okay, it's official - THIS SUCKS!:mad:

This am, came up to a scooter and a LOT of orange cones...as in, you ain't riding through unless you're Hans Rey.

Cop tells me and guy riding in front of me that we are to ride slowly and stay in bike lane - "no more riding in the pedestrian lane" were his exact words.

I urge you all to (if you haven't done so recently) to take a spin over the williamsburg bridge. Forget that the approaches are better (not perfect, not 'safe' but much better than the crap we deal with on the QBB). Pay attention to the lane markings. Note that there is more pedestrian, jogging and cycling traffic by far than the QBB. Note that there are not a whole lot of 'close calls'.

I am contacting the DOT, and whoever else is responsible for these lanes. I guarantee you whoever designed them has never ridden a bike there.

Sometimes I think we need a major upsurge in crime so our quality of life will improve.

Okay, it's official - THIS SUCKS!:mad:

This am, came up to a scooter and a LOT of orange cones...as in, you ain't riding through unless you're Hans Rey.

Cop tells me and guy riding in front of me that we are to ride slowly and stay in bike lane - "no more riding in the pedestrian lane" were his exact words.
[snip]


Happened to me this morning as well. One guy on a fixie in front of me was told to stop, so of course, I had to stop too, and the cop said "ride in the bike lane, not the ped lane, we've had too many incidents recently." I think the cop was stopping *every* cyclist. I wonder if he told the peds to stick to the ped lane.

I'll be calling in my complaints as well. Not that the DOT or the city have ever paid any of my comments any heed, but at least I have a nice collection of letters telling me how much my opinion counts... might as well see if I can add a few more.

I'd use the Triboro if it didn't add so much extra time... the Willy B is just too far out of the way for my commute (but yeah, it is a better laid out MUP).

Happened to me this morning as well. One guy on a fixie in front of me was told to stop, so of course, I had to stop too, and the cop said "ride in the bike lane, not the ped lane, we've had too many incidents recently." I think the cop was stopping *every* cyclist. I wonder if he told the peds to stick to the ped lane.

OOOh! Good one - wish I'd thought of asking that. So, can we mow down peds in the bike lane? Ironically, I'd just gone over the sidewalk bike lane on Queens Blvd (over the sunnyside train yards) and, as usual, some dumbass peds were walking in the bike lane....guess the super wide sidewalk and bike markings weren't good enough:mad:

I'll be calling in my complaints as well. Not that the DOT or the city have ever paid any of my comments any heed, but at least I have a nice collection of letters telling me how much my opinion counts... might as well see if I can add a few more.

There's a lot more people out riding now - more voices....it can't hurt.

I'd use the Triboro if it didn't add so much extra time... the Willy B is just too far out of the way for my commute (but yeah, it is a better laid out MUP). I hear you...I can't do that in the morning and get to work on time....but I might just go outta my way going home tonight...little ride thru Brooklyn might be fun. Might just do that till they lose interest in the QBB and move on to something more important(should be around the time fall weather sets in....)

sorry - woefully off topic - but around 8:30 this AM did anyone else smell horrendous vomit stench at the top of the bridge?

Or maybe that was just the putrid stench of BS!

Okay, it's official - THIS SUCKS!:mad:

This am, came up to a scooter and a LOT of orange cones...as in, you ain't riding through unless you're Hans Rey.

Cop tells me and guy riding in front of me that we are to ride slowly and stay in bike lane - "no more riding in the pedestrian lane" were his exact words.

I urge you all to (if you haven't done so recently) to take a spin over the williamsburg bridge. Forget that the approaches are better (not perfect, not 'safe' but much better than the crap we deal with on the QBB). Pay attention to the lane markings. Note that there is more pedestrian, jogging and cycling traffic by far than the QBB. Note that there are not a whole lot of 'close calls'.

I am contacting the DOT, and whoever else is responsible for these lanes. I guarantee you whoever designed them has never ridden a bike there.

I don't understand the rap-around all the way to first avenue. Fine, tack on 10 yards so no one jets out into the street but I'd be (and am, on the occassions when I walk,) really annoyed as a pedestrian interested in walking west to go 2 avenues out of my way just to end up at square 0.

If I didn't live in greenpoint and have to make my way back to 56th and park I'd be all over the WBB. But as it is, that would create a lot of extra midtown cycling, ie, my least favorite part of the trip, not to mention turn a 10 mile rt commute to a 20+ one (ok, that's not a great excuse. as it is i like that commuting by bicycle is faster than the subway, which it would not be over any another bridge).

Now, what they *should* do is open up the south side for bike traffic and leave the north side for ped traffic. ta da. problem solved.

we should just print this thread out and send it to city hall:D

Y'all should just ride on the roadway. Skitch off a slow moving blue hair.

tempting!

I believe the story goes that the person who used to be in charge of the DOT beforehand designed it and the city got sued because it wasn't bicycle safe - lots of bad accidents. They did some work on it but it's by far the worst (and unfortunately only for Queens) East river crossing.

I believe it.

There are some really good people at DOT now, and some of the newer stuff they've put in is wonderful.

*sigh* :notamused:

no comment, save to say, I am not loving that bridge right now

I'm a regular Queensboro Bridge communter (Astoria to midtown). I've noticed the increased police presence in the last couple of weeks.

Generally, I don't think the QB is so badly laid out for bikes, although I think the Queens end is better than the Manhattan end, but maybe that's because I'm so used to it (I grew up in Queens, so I've been riding over that bridge ever since I was in high school, back in the '70s).

Unless they fix the design at both ends of the MUP what good is handing any tickets out? The vast majority of cyclists seem to be in control (even if it may appear fast to some), and it's not like a few tickets here or there are going to stop the real troublemakers.

I have noticed that as certain neighborhoods in Queens seem to be attracting that demographic known as "hipsters", the number of fixed-gear riders on the bridge has been increasing, and I've seen plenty of them coming down the bridge, approaching Queens, at rates of speed I consider irresponsible, especially on a bike with no brakes. About a month ago, I saw one wipe out really badly. He was coming down the bridge, Queens-bound, riding right in the middle of the path, on the line, and shouting at people to get out of his way. He encountered some pedestrians who didn't move out of the way fast enough, tried to stop, started skidding, veered off to the side (his right), hit the curb, and fell. I stopped to see if he needed help. He had some road rash on one arm, but was otherwise OK. His bike was fine, and he rode on.

Generally, I don't think the QB is so badly laid out for bikes, although I think the Queens end is better than the Manhattan end, but maybe that's because I'm so used to it...

It used to be worse, but it really could be a whole lot better. On both sides people ride in the wrong direction on one way streets simply because it's easier than going blocks out of your way to get where you're going. Both peds and cyclists hop the fence on the Manhattan side and waltz out into traffic (luckily relatively slow moving traffic there). It's like no thought was given to the utility of the path for its users.

The number of people using the path is still increasing. I always look forward to the colder months when people give up riding or walking the path, although the ice on the path can be pretty scary sometimes...

Anyway... they took the time to figure out how to effectively provide efficient paths for the cars to get on and off the bridge and to travel north or south or east or west, it's about time they did that for all the MUPs on the bridges.

I have noticed that as certain neighborhoods in Queens seem to be attracting that demographic known as "hipsters", the number of fixed-gear riders on the bridge has been increasing, and I've seen plenty of them coming down the bridge, approaching Queens, at rates of speed I consider irresponsible, especially on a bike with no brakes. About a month ago, I saw one wipe out really badly. He was coming down the bridge, Queens-bound, riding right in the middle of the path, on the line, and shouting at people to get out of his way.

see, that's just f'ing stupid. Imagine a car hurtling towards pedestrians with no brakes (by the driver's choice), honking and screaming for them to get out of the way. Ridiculous.

I have no problem with fix gears on the road. But Know how to ride the damn things. I remember reassessing my bike skills when I moved back here after riding in lazy suburbs for 2 decades. A front brake was a necessity (for me) - this became apparent to me after 1 commute.

Now, I wish the cops would tackle, tazer, ticket or arrest that guy. Same as they would any motorist doing anything like that. Imagine if your wife or child was walking on that bridge path.

It's because of morons like that that we have a bad name.

Anyway... they took the time to figure out how to effectively provide efficient paths for the cars to get on and off the bridge and to travel north or south or east or west, it's about time they did that for all the MUPs on the bridges.

However - yes this (above) is absolutely correct. As mentioned very nicely on Streetsblog, we cyclists and peds are being thrown some nasty stale crumbs to fight over like vermin, while fat slobs in greenhouse gas monstrosities get every consideration. Now That is really ridiculous, especially in NYC. we should have a first rate MUP system, and a world-class mass transit. I know there are good things in place now. But it should absolutely be much much better. Safer, more efficient and enjoyable.

we pay through the nose to live here. And for what? So A-Rod can have a new stadium to fatten his wallet in? :mad::notamused::mad::notamused::mad::notamused::mad::notamused:

ok - time for pgoat's valium.....

The number of people using the path is still increasing. I always look forward to the colder months when people give up riding or walking the path, although the ice on the path can be pretty scary sometimes...


My son, who lives in Astoria, is always concerned when I ride the bridge back home to Manhattan at night. So I count the number of cyclists and pedestrians just to demonstrate it's not as desolate as he might think. Generally I'll pass a dozen pedestrians and about twice a many cyclists as late as midnight or 1 am. So while it may not be as crowded as the Brooklyn there is a steady stream of people even in winter who prefer to use the bridge.

see, that's just f'ing stupid. Imagine a car hurtling towards pedestrians with no brakes (by the driver's choice), honking and screaming for them to get out of the way. Ridiculous.

I have no problem with fix gears on the road. But Know how to ride the damn things. I remember reassessing my bike skills when I moved back here after riding in lazy suburbs for 2 decades. A front brake was a necessity (for me) - this became apparent to me after 1 commute.

Now, I wish the cops would tackle, tazer, ticket or arrest that guy. Same as they would any motorist doing anything like that. Imagine if your wife or child was walking on that bridge path.

It's because of morons like that that we have a bad name.

Agreed. I have nothing against fixed-gear bikes, or the people who ride them. But riding in a densely populated, heavily trafficked urban area without brakes is downright irresponsible.