Northeast - Vehicular Cycling in NYC?

I am thinking of bringing my folder to NYC. I always try and take the lane and avoid bike lanes whenever possible. In Chicago this works fine since the blocks are very short so you can easily go with the flow of traffic. How about in NYC, Manhattan?

You can usually go faster than traffic so get used to lane splitting. When traffic goes faster than you, VC will get you killed (in NYC).

There was a big study on bicycle fatalities and accidents in NYC a few years ago. One of the findings was that the overwhelming majority of collisions happened at intersections, not in mid-block. Collisions in bike lanes were also exceedingly rare.

I.e. there is no reason to avoid bike lanes in NYC, if anything you're better off using them. Just be cautious at the intersections.

You can usually go faster than traffic so get used to lane splitting. When traffic goes faster than you, VC will get you killed (in NYC).


yep. The avenues are especially challenging VC style. Streets can be a little better but I have no problem with the bike lanes in NYC- they work for me.

for an example of how I deal with lanes and switch in and out of VC you can visit this link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bcIAluwR9ws

My wife was hit and run the day we returned form our honeymoon in Astoria. She was definitely not taking the lane and got mowed down by a drunk in a Lexus who came out of a cafe and pulled a from-the-curb uturn at an intersection with no warning.

He turned into both of us, but I ride further out into the lane than she, so I had room to react. (clearly it didn't make me more conspicuous) She did not, and wound up in the hospital overnight. And her minty '73 schwinn's fork got bent up.

Had plate #, got the address of the owner. Right around the corner from the percinct. Cops did nothing. I sure came close to paying them a visit. I am glad I restrained myself.

In the city I've found bike lanes ok when riding when there wasn't much traffic, during the day there are all sorts of vehicles double parked which often forces me to look back and merge into another lane quickly. I ride at a good clip so I always ride in between lanes and have not had any problems in all the years I've done that, all of the incidents I've had have been on the bike lane. I'm not recommending people ride in traffic, just sharing my experience.

Found this on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgx1_LV_GQI&NR=1
Yeah, well. That video looks pretty ugly - narrow bike lane, cars all over it, etc.

But again, statistically mid-block collisions are not that common; only 17% of fatal bicycle collisions occurred in mid-block. And between 1996 and 2005, there was only one fatal collision in a marked bicycle lane.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/episrv/episrv-bike-report.pdf

I got back from my trip and mostly stuck with the trails ( hudson parkway and central park ). But around the city I took the lane, really no other option as that video shows. I did notice some avenues had the right most lane as "Bus Only". Are bikes allowed in that?

what i dont understand is the city design bike lane for bicycles...why would someone ask not to use the bike is beyond me!!!!???? bike lane is there for a reason. sometimes i feel there aren't enuff bike lanes in manhattan and that they should build more and expand it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au0Zjn3eB9k&feature=related

My wife was hit and run the day we returned form our honeymoon in Astoria. She was definitely not taking the lane and got mowed down by a drunk in a Lexus who came out of a cafe and pulled a from-the-curb uturn at an intersection with no warning.

He turned into both of us, but I ride further out into the lane than she, so I had room to react. (clearly it didn't make me more conspicuous) She did not, and wound up in the hospital overnight. And her minty '73 schwinn's fork got bent up.

Had plate #, got the address of the owner. Right around the corner from the percinct. Cops did nothing. I sure came close to paying them a visit. I am glad I restrained myself.

I had the same reaction from the police when I was a victim of a road rage incident 6 years ago. I had witnesses, license plate #, accurate descriptions of suspects...and the police just happened to "lose" my case file at the end. I visited and called the precinct religiously for a month and I never got to talk to my assigned detective.

won't make a blanket statement about the NYPD, but 99% of the active experiences I've had with the police in this city have been negative. However, I've known cops who were awesome people at home when out of their uniforms.

I did notice some avenues had the right most lane as "Bus Only". Are bikes allowed in that?
Yup. The sign says buses and bikes only and specifies the times cars are prohibited.

Yeah, well. That video looks pretty ugly - narrow bike lane, cars all over it, etc.

But again, statistically mid-block collisions are not that common; only 17% of fatal bicycle collisions occurred in mid-block. And between 1996 and 2005, there was only one fatal collision in a marked bicycle lane.

http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/episrv/episrv-bike-report.pdf

There was only ONE because nobody uses them.

Here's what happens in the bike lanes on the avenues:

Every other (odd) street there is a pile of cars that are lined up to make a left turn blocking the bike lane. So the option is to sit in the bike lane and wait for it to clear (never) or to move out into the left center lane.

Now the center lanes in NYC are essentially express lanes for cars and trucks when traffic is moving. Speeds are often well in excess of the speed limit (30MPH).

Merging into a center lane in NY is definitely an acquired skill, that requires a certain disregard for your own safety, beyond just assessing how crazy and or intoxicated, homicidal, etc., the group of cagers you happen to find yourself in with at any given moment is, because there are drivers out there who really, truly do not give a **** about you and your ****ing bike.

Drivers here will basically treat you like another car. A much smaller, weaker, car. IOW, they will attempt to intimidate you so that you will just get the **** out of their way and they will get pissed off if you do not react in what they see as the appropriate manner. And those are just the ones who see you at all. Not to say there aren't good drivers here as well. It's just that there are so many: good, bad, and/or indifferent.

Once you are out in the left center lane, you will have to keep an eye on the cars that are lined up for the aforementioned left turn, because some of them aren't turning, so they will be scooting out into the left center lane too and it is unlikely that they will be looking for, or expecting to see, you.

And then there is the familiar double parking scenario which causes the above to happen in miniature a couple of times per block.

IMO, this is why people do not get killed in the bike lanes proper very much and why intersections are so dangerous for bicyclists here.. They get killed trying to get around the cars in the bike lane, either due to double parking, or while attempting to negotiate the 0-30++ MPH speed differential between the outside lanes and the center lanes or they get left hooked trying to cross the intersection. Or they are really stupid and ride against traffic or flat out run red lights.

Because of the sheer number of vehicles involved, vehicular cycling, bike lane cycling, outlaw cycling.. it doesn't matter; there will be a situation where any given strategy will point to exactly the wrong thing to do at that time under those circumstances.

You have to be prepared to adapt and overcome, and use anything and everything that will get you safely from point A to point B.

I was riding down 2nd ave this morning and was riding in the 2nd from right lane. The far right lane next to the curb was blocked by delivery trucks. I had a car come up behind me and start honking, so I just ignore him. Finally the taxi squeezes by me then hits his brakes to make the a right turn and has to wait in the line of cars in front of him. So then I just have to pass him again. Pissed me off that he couldn't wait the 5 seconds, just in a big rush just to wait in line. People are dumb.

You have to be prepared to adapt and overcome, and use anything and everything that will get you safely from point A to point B.

+1
I think this just about sums it up.

I had the same reaction from the police when I was a victim of a road rage incident 6 years ago. I had witnesses, license plate #, accurate descriptions of suspects...and the police just happened to "lose" my case file at the end. I visited and called the precinct religiously for a month and I never got to talk to my assigned detective.

won't make a blanket statement about the NYPD, but 99% of the active experiences I've had with the police in this city have been negative. However, I've known cops who were awesome people at home when out of their uniforms.For months, I wanted to go to that block, hope to find the lex parked on the block, and unceremoniously put the bent fork from my wife's beautiful red schwinn through the windshield.

Vehicular cycling in Astoria, parts of Brooklyn, sure. Vehicular cycling in Manhattan only works if you can keep up with traffic, meaning you have to go fast to stay safe.

I ride all over and around the city, the best place to be is in a bike lane. Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn is hairy, It abuts a sidewalk between the service road and the main roadway. It is crowded with dog walkers and drivers don't expect bike to cross from the sidewalk. It's safer to use the service road.

Riding the streets in NYC with all these crazy motorists is definitely a delicate dance. One misstep and you wind up dead (or seriously injured).

I just got an extra set of blinky lights that I can clip to my body or anywhere on the bike to get extra visibility... But sometimes I think some motorists have "deer in the headlights" syndrome or worse, they seem to steer their car INTO your blinking lights like a fly being drawn in by a bug zapper... You've gotta be careful. There are a lot of jerks and careless drivers around these parts.

Heck, I had several men cat-calling me from their cars while driving along side me on busy streets! WTF?!? Talk about idiots! They get real close, slow down and start yelling at me through the window! I'm then pinned really close to parked cars and I don't need to be getting any door prizes, thank you. :twitchy:

Tip to horny motorists: Don't try to pick up chicks on their bike while they're riding on busy streets! Drive your damn vehicle and leave the girl alone.

i just assume every driver is a brain dead idiot capable of nothing other than slamming their foot on either of the pedals when the lights indicate they are supposed to. even that is too generous sometimes.

just be defensive and you'll be okay. taking the lane is fine when the traffic is slow, but don't be suprised if someone lets you hear about it.

Vehicular cycling in Astoria, parts of Brooklyn, sure. Vehicular cycling in Manhattan only works if you can keep up with traffic, meaning you have to go fast to stay safe.

Great training method, seriously! Racing taxis up any of the east side avenues will whip you into shape fast.

I am sadly completely out of shape since last summer, but am planning to do the above as often as possible.

My biggest problem with VC in NYC isn't keeping up with traffic--it's stopping in time when the taxi slams on its brakes.

Overall over the past 2 years cars are really getting used to the bikes. Still some drivers especially the livery cabs just cannot stand having a bike infront of them even though they know that you are going to get through the next intersection way before them.. it's an odd behavior.. as if they were getting beat up by a girl. It just drives them nuts.

Been commuting allot recently from Manhattan to Brooklyn and my advice is to avoid any avenue if at all possible, especially from 14th street north through midtown. If ever want to hit up central park it's worth your time and safety to his one of the river paths. It's a MUP and there are fewer lights, so it can be faster. And the girls are cuter ;)

Overall over the past 2 years cars are really getting used to the bikes. Still some drivers especially the livery cabs just cannot stand having a bike infront of them even though they know that you are going to get through the next intersection way before them.. it's an odd behavior.. as if they were getting beat up by a girl. It just drives them nuts.

Been commuting allot recently from Manhattan to Brooklyn and my advice is to avoid any avenue if at all possible, especially from 14th street north through midtown. If ever want to hit up central park it's worth your time and safety to his one of the river paths. It's a MUP and there are fewer lights, so it can be faster. And the girls are cuter ;)

My experience is the same. Cars in NYC have adapted a LOT to the number of cyclists on the street. While bike lanes are abused by drivers just as much as ever, the number of lanes is growing every day and it seems to be sinking in that those painted lines are supposed to indicate something. I still complain about SUVs from Jersey honking from behind when you're in the bike lane (because they don't know where their vehicle begins and ends and our quaint city streets don't offer the same berth they're used to) but whenever I do some biking in the suburbs, I realize how much I LOVE New York drivers.

Wow. I haven't noticed this at all. Maybe it's time to look closely again...

Wow. I haven't noticed this at all. Maybe it's time to look closely again...

There might be reason why.. I'm originally from NJ about 4 miles from the GWB. The most bicycle intolerant drivers around are from NJ.. my father being one of them. So maybe your proximity to the GWB has something to do with it. I do NOT trust the cars when I'm riding in the bike lane on Fort Washington Ave. they tailgate.. and honk at bikers.

Could be. Or maybe it's just that since moving away from Queens Boulevard, I'm spending more time on the greenway and less on the street.

The most bicycle intolerant drivers around are from NJ.. I do NOT trust the cars when I'm riding in the bike lane on Fort Washington Ave. they tailgate.. and honk at bikers.

I do most of my weekday riding in Jersey and can tell you that the cops are even less tolerant than the civilians.

Overall over the past 2 years cars are really getting used to the bikes. Still some drivers especially the livery cabs just cannot stand having a bike infront of them even though they know that you are going to get through the next intersection way before them.. it's an odd behavior.. as if they were getting beat up by a girl. It just drives them nuts.

Been commuting allot recently from Manhattan to Brooklyn and my advice is to avoid any avenue if at all possible, especially from 14th street north through midtown. If ever want to hit up central park it's worth your time and safety to his one of the river paths. It's a MUP and there are fewer lights, so it can be faster. And the girls are cuter ;)

Noticed that too - I'm much more scared of riding out on LI than I am in the city. People think I'm crazy when I tell them but slower traffic combined with more visibility is doing wonders for biking here.

Noticed that too - I'm much more scared of riding out on LI than I am in the city. People think I'm crazy when I tell them but slower traffic combined with more visibility is doing wonders for biking here.

I still feel like it's a mixed bag with drivers. While some people certainly seem to be a bit more aware there are just as many cutting me off or creeping in too close. I also do most of my riding in Astoria/LIC and the East Side between midtown and the Upper East Side. Bike lanes are scarce and I commute during rush hour.

They've still got a long way to go before I'd put the kid in the trailer and ride from Astoria to Central Park.

That said, it's great to see a lot more bikes on the Queensboro MUP. Unfortunately I think we'll be revisiting the Queensboro MUP Blockade situation again as traffic picks up on the MUP. Still a squad car and cop there once in a while, but not every day like it was in the fall.

You can usually go faster than traffic so get used to lane splitting. When traffic goes faster than you, VC will get you killed (in NYC).

You've got be careful if you're going to try doing that around here. If you can hang with traffic moving between 15 and 35 mph, then you'll be fine. Otherwise, you'll cause hold-ups and will be putting yourself right into danger.

what i dont understand is the city design bike lane for bicycles...why would someone ask not to use the bike is beyond me!!!!???? bike lane is there for a reason. sometimes i feel there aren't enuff bike lanes in manhattan and that they should build more and expand it.

Because the bike lanes were an afterthought. City traffic was not designed to accommodate bicycles.

Because the bike lanes were an afterthought.

Based on what I see in Queens, the UES and Midtown I wouldn't even give them that much credit.

OK, OK, I know, things seem to be improving. Credit where credit is due.