The south side was a little nicer in some ways, like the view, and it did seem a little smoother. However, getting dumped right on Bowery wasn't always so great.
My main beef with the new path is that blind corner by the train. I've had a lot of people cut the lane there as well, as neuron stated, very sketchy.
The brooklyn's okay, but there's just too many damn tourists, etc walking over it, who just don't pay enough attention.
Either one is still better than the williamsburg, with all those damned yellow bumps.