Bike Riders Don't Pay Tolls
09-25-05, 07:26 PM
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That's why access to the George Washington Bridge, for bike riders and pedestrians, is being restricted.
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Crossing GWB on bike, foot becomes race against clock
Sunday, September 25, 2005
By JOHN CICHOWSKI
ROAD WARRIOR
It's hard to conceive of being stranded and abandoned on the busiest, most important urban island in the nation, but that's the complaint of several thousand cyclists and pedestrians who head to work across the George Washington Bridge each day.
Starting last weekend, the Port Authority cut hours - once again - to the free walkways of the busiest bridge in the world.
Friday access remains 6 a.m. to midnight. But now walkers and cyclists must wait until 8 a.m. to cross on Saturdays and Sundays. And, from Monday to Thursday, gates now close at 9 p.m. - three hours earlier.
"On Wednesday, I had to work late and couldn't make it over by closing time," said Diane Goodwin, who cycles each day from her home in Englewood to her job in Manhattan. "Luckily, I got a ride home."
Stories like that began trickling in from some of the tens of thousands of cyclists and walkers who rely on the bridge for exercise, free access to the Big Apple, and arguably the most spectacular view in the Northeast.
No big deal, really, unless you don't have the $40 it costs for a late-night cab fare back to New Jersey. Just another New York inconvenience, right?
And besides, it's probably temporary. According to a Port Authority spokeswoman, the latest restrictions are needed to accommodate unspecified construction related to security. Because of work on the south walkway, pedestrians and cyclists must use the north walkway through mid-October. To allow work on the north walkway, they'll go back to the south walkway after that.
"We should be finished by June 2006," said the Port's Tiffany Townsend.
After that, you would think things will go back to normal - 6 a.m. openings on Saturday and Sunday and a midnight closing Monday through Thursday.
But the Port Authority isn't saying that.
"I'm sure we'll revisit the issue," said Townsend.
Does that mean 24/7 next June? Could be.
Or might the hours be cut back even more? Maybe.
The uncertainty worries leaders of the regional cycling groups who met last week with Port Authority suits. They think access to one of this region's most important assets is slowly being pried from their grasp.
"They dodge behind security, but I don't buy it," said Ed Ravin of the Five Borough Bicycle Club. "Historically, bicyclists are an afterthought. "After all, we don't pay fares. So, little by little, they adopt policies designed to discourage us."
Originally, both the north and south walkways were accessible 24 hours a day - until a painting contract closed the north side in 1998. It wasn't reopened - even after the paint dried. The south side remained open around the clock until the midnight curfew was imposed during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Overnight hours were never reinstated - even after the GOP picked its candidates.
"There's a history here," said Ravin.
Yup. And that history includes planes slamming into another couple of Port Authority landmarks in a deadly attack that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including dozens of Port Authority employees. Naturally, Port Authority executives won't discuss the security rationale for the early closings, so it's hard to answer criticism from cyclists who think they're overreacting.
"They think we're more threatening than people in cars," said Goodwin.
"This is the only bridge in the metropolitan area that cuts access to its walking and cycling bridges," said Evan Sasson who commutes by bike from Fort Lee over the George Washington and the Manhattan bridges to Brooklyn.
Indeed, walking paths on bridges over the East River, such as the Triborough, remain open 24 hours a day. But, as Catherine Arnone of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority noted, these small spans are "community links between the boroughs."
"New York is a city of walkers and walking is the commuting method of choice," said Arnone.
Cyclists in San Francisco, another walking city, enjoy overnight access to their behemoth span, the Golden Gate Bridge, via a controlled security gate system, said its spokeswoman, Mary Currie.
But the state with the New Jersey Turnpike is not generally known for the leg power of its residents. At 350,000 cars a day, the behemoth named for George Washington can hardly be considered a community bridge. Fort Lee and Fort Washington have never had much in common.
So, should the strong-willed suits who run a $4.5 billion bureaucracy let several thousand strong-legged guys and gals in shorts use the bridge overnight next summer? Or is the threat too great?
"Anything's possible, but if something serious were to happen to that bridge, I doubt it would come from somebody on a bicycle," said New York security consultant Charles Slepian. "Maybe a plane, maybe a truck, but not a little cyclist. Terrorists want a big bang for the buck."
Slepian, who makes his money conducting corporate risk analyses, says an overnight pedestrian presence might even improve security. "It's always good to have more sets of eyes watching for trouble," he said.
More than likely, though, the Port Authority is reacting to economic realities, he added.
"Like every other agency, they're stretched - at the airports, at the bridges, everywhere," said Slepian. "If they can spend less by cutting back on security personnel overnight, they'll do it, and the cyclists and the walkers won't stop them."
But, in the end, we have to trust the folks in charge, he said.
"They have the intelligence, not us," he noted. "And what if that intelligence suggests that their bridge is a terrorist target? Would you let anybody cycle across at night?"
E-mail: cichowski@northjersey.com
Copyright © 2005 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Copyright Infringement Notice User Agreement & Privacy Policy
https://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=...VFeXk2NzgwMjE1
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crossing GWB on bike, foot becomes race against clock
Sunday, September 25, 2005
By JOHN CICHOWSKI
ROAD WARRIOR
It's hard to conceive of being stranded and abandoned on the busiest, most important urban island in the nation, but that's the complaint of several thousand cyclists and pedestrians who head to work across the George Washington Bridge each day.
Starting last weekend, the Port Authority cut hours - once again - to the free walkways of the busiest bridge in the world.
Friday access remains 6 a.m. to midnight. But now walkers and cyclists must wait until 8 a.m. to cross on Saturdays and Sundays. And, from Monday to Thursday, gates now close at 9 p.m. - three hours earlier.
"On Wednesday, I had to work late and couldn't make it over by closing time," said Diane Goodwin, who cycles each day from her home in Englewood to her job in Manhattan. "Luckily, I got a ride home."
Stories like that began trickling in from some of the tens of thousands of cyclists and walkers who rely on the bridge for exercise, free access to the Big Apple, and arguably the most spectacular view in the Northeast.
No big deal, really, unless you don't have the $40 it costs for a late-night cab fare back to New Jersey. Just another New York inconvenience, right?
And besides, it's probably temporary. According to a Port Authority spokeswoman, the latest restrictions are needed to accommodate unspecified construction related to security. Because of work on the south walkway, pedestrians and cyclists must use the north walkway through mid-October. To allow work on the north walkway, they'll go back to the south walkway after that.
"We should be finished by June 2006," said the Port's Tiffany Townsend.
After that, you would think things will go back to normal - 6 a.m. openings on Saturday and Sunday and a midnight closing Monday through Thursday.
But the Port Authority isn't saying that.
"I'm sure we'll revisit the issue," said Townsend.
Does that mean 24/7 next June? Could be.
Or might the hours be cut back even more? Maybe.
The uncertainty worries leaders of the regional cycling groups who met last week with Port Authority suits. They think access to one of this region's most important assets is slowly being pried from their grasp.
"They dodge behind security, but I don't buy it," said Ed Ravin of the Five Borough Bicycle Club. "Historically, bicyclists are an afterthought. "After all, we don't pay fares. So, little by little, they adopt policies designed to discourage us."
Originally, both the north and south walkways were accessible 24 hours a day - until a painting contract closed the north side in 1998. It wasn't reopened - even after the paint dried. The south side remained open around the clock until the midnight curfew was imposed during the 2004 Republican National Convention. Overnight hours were never reinstated - even after the GOP picked its candidates.
"There's a history here," said Ravin.
Yup. And that history includes planes slamming into another couple of Port Authority landmarks in a deadly attack that claimed nearly 3,000 lives, including dozens of Port Authority employees. Naturally, Port Authority executives won't discuss the security rationale for the early closings, so it's hard to answer criticism from cyclists who think they're overreacting.
"They think we're more threatening than people in cars," said Goodwin.
"This is the only bridge in the metropolitan area that cuts access to its walking and cycling bridges," said Evan Sasson who commutes by bike from Fort Lee over the George Washington and the Manhattan bridges to Brooklyn.
Indeed, walking paths on bridges over the East River, such as the Triborough, remain open 24 hours a day. But, as Catherine Arnone of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority noted, these small spans are "community links between the boroughs."
"New York is a city of walkers and walking is the commuting method of choice," said Arnone.
Cyclists in San Francisco, another walking city, enjoy overnight access to their behemoth span, the Golden Gate Bridge, via a controlled security gate system, said its spokeswoman, Mary Currie.
But the state with the New Jersey Turnpike is not generally known for the leg power of its residents. At 350,000 cars a day, the behemoth named for George Washington can hardly be considered a community bridge. Fort Lee and Fort Washington have never had much in common.
So, should the strong-willed suits who run a $4.5 billion bureaucracy let several thousand strong-legged guys and gals in shorts use the bridge overnight next summer? Or is the threat too great?
"Anything's possible, but if something serious were to happen to that bridge, I doubt it would come from somebody on a bicycle," said New York security consultant Charles Slepian. "Maybe a plane, maybe a truck, but not a little cyclist. Terrorists want a big bang for the buck."
Slepian, who makes his money conducting corporate risk analyses, says an overnight pedestrian presence might even improve security. "It's always good to have more sets of eyes watching for trouble," he said.
More than likely, though, the Port Authority is reacting to economic realities, he added.
"Like every other agency, they're stretched - at the airports, at the bridges, everywhere," said Slepian. "If they can spend less by cutting back on security personnel overnight, they'll do it, and the cyclists and the walkers won't stop them."
But, in the end, we have to trust the folks in charge, he said.
"They have the intelligence, not us," he noted. "And what if that intelligence suggests that their bridge is a terrorist target? Would you let anybody cycle across at night?"
E-mail: cichowski@northjersey.com
Copyright © 2005 North Jersey Media Group Inc.
Copyright Infringement Notice User Agreement & Privacy Policy
https://www.bergen.com/page.php?qstr=...VFeXk2NzgwMjE1
Last edited by cruentus; 09-25-05 at 07:32 PM.
09-25-05, 09:06 PM
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I believe that it is fear-mongering in its purest form. (Sorry NJ BF members) Jersey is the most knee jerk reactionary-state in my opinion. Evidenced by decisions like this. Lets get together and letter write.
09-25-05, 09:11 PM
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Originally Posted by nycm'er
I believe that it is fear-mongering in its purest form. (Sorry NJ BF members) Jersey is the most knee jerk reactionary-state in my opinion. Evidenced by decisions like this. Lets get together and letter write.
Last edited by cruentus; 09-25-05 at 09:55 PM.
09-25-05, 09:28 PM
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How many East River bridges have 24hr access? I feel it is the Jersey factor, I may be wrong. I would certainly help in changing the rules as they are now.
09-25-05, 09:33 PM
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Originally Posted by nycm'er
How many East River bridges have 24hr access? I feel it is the Jersey factor, I may be wrong. I would certainly help in changing the rules as they are now.
The East River bridges are not operated by the Port Authority. Operating changes on the GWB can not be made without the approval of NY.
09-25-05, 09:55 PM
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Cru I am with you, I understand what the PA is and who it is. My point is that Albany politicians call the shots in NYC as well and there are like 10-15 bridges open on the east river, that is my connection. The Jersey factor that I mention is the senseless closing of the GWB. NYC has long tried to rid itself of any connection to the PA with the airports, etc. The Tappan Zee was built at the widest point of the Hudson to avoid the PA.
If you NJ riders make enough of a stink, and there are plenty of NY riders who ride the Palisades, combined, we could alter this pointless rule change. Why don't 200 bikes ride the traffic lane across while the bike lane is closed? I wonder what sort of priority change would occur then.
If you NJ riders make enough of a stink, and there are plenty of NY riders who ride the Palisades, combined, we could alter this pointless rule change. Why don't 200 bikes ride the traffic lane across while the bike lane is closed? I wonder what sort of priority change would occur then.
09-26-05, 06:00 AM
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Originally Posted by cruentus
But, in the end, we have to trust the folks in charge, he said.
"They have the intelligence, not us," he noted. "And what if that intelligence suggests that their bridge is a terrorist target? Would you let anybody cycle across at night?"
09-26-05, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by nycm'er
Cru I am with you, I understand what the PA is and who it is. My point is that Albany politicians call the shots in NYC as well and there are like 10-15 bridges open on the east river, that is my connection. The Jersey factor that I mention is the senseless closing of the GWB. NYC has long tried to rid itself of any connection to the PA with the airports, etc. The Tappan Zee was built at the widest point of the Hudson to avoid the PA.
If you NJ riders make enough of a stink, and there are plenty of NY riders who ride the Palisades, combined, we could alter this pointless rule change. Why don't 200 bikes ride the traffic lane across while the bike lane is closed? I wonder what sort of priority change would occur then.
If you NJ riders make enough of a stink, and there are plenty of NY riders who ride the Palisades, combined, we could alter this pointless rule change. Why don't 200 bikes ride the traffic lane across while the bike lane is closed? I wonder what sort of priority change would occur then.
Write to your politicians folks (I did). Write in to the newpaper (I did too). Let's beat this nonsense!
09-26-05, 09:47 AM
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Protest ride over the San Fransisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, Oct.2, 2000.
https://www.bikethebridge.org/old.index.20001029.html
https://www.bikethebridge.org/
https://www.bikethebridge.org/old.index.20001029.html
https://www.bikethebridge.org/
09-26-05, 09:56 AM
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I think the Port Authority wants to close both bike lanes and add an additional car lane for this is what happend to the Outerbridge in 1963. The traffic along the George Washington bridge is getting worse each year and practically crawls along during the weekend. If you don't start writing and calling, you'll lose access to the bridge forever.
I'm angry because I use the bridge and it was the only way I made it home during 9/11 and the blackout. If anything, the Brooklyn Bridge with more historic value should be closed since it was attacked by some moron who wanted to losen the cables!
I'm angry because I use the bridge and it was the only way I made it home during 9/11 and the blackout. If anything, the Brooklyn Bridge with more historic value should be closed since it was attacked by some moron who wanted to losen the cables!
09-26-05, 11:52 AM
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Originally Posted by Dahon.Steve
I think the Port Authority wants to close both bike lanes and add an additional car lane for this is what happend to the Outerbridge in 1963. The traffic along the George Washington bridge is getting worse each year and practically crawls along during the weekend. If you don't start writing and calling, you'll lose access to the bridge forever.
I'm angry because I use the bridge and it was the only way I made it home during 9/11 and the blackout. If anything, the Brooklyn Bridge with more historic value should be closed since it was attacked by some moron who wanted to losen the cables!
I'm angry because I use the bridge and it was the only way I made it home during 9/11 and the blackout. If anything, the Brooklyn Bridge with more historic value should be closed since it was attacked by some moron who wanted to losen the cables!
Does anyone know how many bike riders/pedestrians use the GWB on a weekday?
09-30-05, 01:19 PM
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I was the quote about the East River bridges. Security is a BS reason. They have those guard shacks manned 24x7, but the guards have the lights on all the time. They can't see out once it gets dark. If the guards are there 24x7, why can't the bridge be open then?
09-30-05, 02:22 PM
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the whole security thing is a sham. it makes me sick to my stomach. anyone w/a passenger suv can easily drive it to the center of any bridge or tunnel filled with who-knows-what and BOOM!
09-30-05, 03:11 PM
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I hope TA can make this a priority once the Central Park situation is under control. I understand that they (err, us, I'm a member!) probably don't want to spread themselves too much but I think this is important enough to make some noise about it! Meanwhile my letters to the Times and the .gov go unanswered. <sigh>
10-05-05, 09:34 PM
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This makes me sick. First it's the bridges with trains and now this. What do the books look like for the authority? Security improvements. Does the bridge need to be painted? Seems like the governers have some say. You'll have to fight to make sure this isnt a permenant change. Good time to go car free and leave your junker at the toll booth.
https://www.panynj.gov/
Governance
The Port Authority is a financially self-supporting public agency that receives no tax revenues from any state or local jurisdiction and has no power to tax. It relies almost entirely on revenues generated by facility users, tolls, fees, and rents. The Governor of each state appoints six members to the Board of Commissioners, subject to state senate approval. Board Members serve as public officials without pay for overlapping six-year terms. The Governors retain the right to veto the actions of Commissioners from his or her own state. Board meetings are public.
https://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAu...Commissioners/
https://www.panynj.gov/
Governance
The Port Authority is a financially self-supporting public agency that receives no tax revenues from any state or local jurisdiction and has no power to tax. It relies almost entirely on revenues generated by facility users, tolls, fees, and rents. The Governor of each state appoints six members to the Board of Commissioners, subject to state senate approval. Board Members serve as public officials without pay for overlapping six-year terms. The Governors retain the right to veto the actions of Commissioners from his or her own state. Board meetings are public.
https://www.panynj.gov/AboutthePortAu...Commissioners/
