I'm of the same old school of thought. I ride in traffic as I am traffic. Cars only wish they could go as fast as we do through the core of the cities. I'm hoping/glad more and more cyclists are on my streets in the morning. I just to remember to pass them nicely. If bike lanes get more people out there I'm all for it.

Underground magpass access parking, showers and change room.

That makes sense but LOTS of the bike lanes are on streets that would be fairly safe with or without the lanes such as numbered (non-main) streets. I would say that the busier streets, say 8th Ave., do seem mildly safer with the marking. One of the problems is that the white marker stuff (sorry for being so overly technical) rubs off. There is a lane on the street where I live, West 77th, or there used to be but you'd have a very hard time knowing it was there.

I think one of the biggest problems with the lanes--and it is the sole fault of the walkers, not the city--is peds in the lanes. I had a woman step out from in front of a stopped (it was at a light) cab and into one of those painted green lanes right into my path. We had a huge collision--must have looked like a corner back slamming into a split end at midfield.

And then there is the lane down Broadway from Times Square to 23rd. I can't figure out why people walk in the lane. There are plenty of sidewalks, get out of the lane!

You ride a bike only the lowest meth head would consider stooping to steal and lock it to a street sign.

this

and carry something heavy enough and never be too far from your bike. should someone decide to steal your wheel/handlebar/etc, smack'em with this heavy thing. if i get really paranoid, i take off a wheel

I used to carry a chain wrapped in an old innertube to protect the bike paint. It was a pisser getting that chain through there.

Ha! A generational change . . . they used to be crackheads . . . and before that, dope fiends.

An interesting observation, and you are correct. I'm still on the fence as to which I prefer.

Crackheads probably moved the fastest, so we're likely better off.

Most in full kits, sitting and drinking lattes

This is good news indeed. I am almost considering riding to work. According to google maps, riding will save me only 3 min over subway though (52 min vs 49 min).

You fail to understand that you leave a part of you soul every time you descend into that hole. Also, are the trains actually running on said day? They can be VERY unpredictable.

Do consider the health and financial benefits because the amount of exercise you'll get can't be matched by riding the subway, in addition you'll spare yourself the pain of having to pay the MTA for less service for more money.

You are correct but there is also a chance of getting hit by a car, coming sweaty/dirty to work, breaking something on the way to work and coming late... but I can't judge until I try it so I should try it one of these days.

If you ride carefully and properly maintain your bike then you can avoid those dangers; I haven't had an accident in a long time as well as being fortunate to not have major mechanical issues while on the road. As for being late the MTA gladly contributes to the tardiness of a lot of people.

I don't use the subway for weeks at a time. It is kind of nice. I've even gotten used to the 12 pound chain lock and 3-4 pound u-lock I have to carry with me if I'm going somewhere other than work. Getting on the road bike after a day of commuting feels like I've lost 30 pounds. I think that bike lanes have helped people begin commuting, but once you've dived in you realize that they are not at all necessary to get from place to place.

Now if only they'd somehow calm traffic on friggin' highways like Park Ave (what a cruel joke). Actually, most of the avenues need some calming measures. I usually just take a lane on these roads but would not at all be surprised to one day end up in the hospital because of someone treating it like I-95. After spending the weekend in Philly I am jealous of cities where people do not drive like absolute maniacs.

You said that like it's a bad thing. We, er, I mean they earned it, riding all the hell way up there and all, just to be with the happenings.

not latte.

plain espresso with sugar.

milk = not good for biking

The good thing is if people use the lanes then realize they can do fine without them then they might end up being more adventurous; I see bike lanes like the shallow end of the pool where the cautious get comfortable enough to venture to the deeper sections.

I DO NOT like riding on the East Side and avoid it at all costs just because everyone drives on those avenues like they're escaping from the city from a tidal wave.

blasphemy!

straight espresso, no chaser

you need sugar for energy.

I often see people eating muffins and such at the Runcible after rides and my stomach hurts just watching it because I can't eat heavy things before I ride and coffee is a no-no for me because it might as well be Ex-Lax

that's what the cookies are for

I'm probably one of those freds but i'm riding in from coney island, brooklyn, 80 +/- miles aint bad for a fred, eh?

on another note, i think even though there may be a spike in nyc ridership, the general attitude, especially in non-gentrified sections of nyc, is still that of hostility toward cyclists.

nyc has a LONG LONG way to go before it comes even remotely close to being "cycling friendly" at least in parts of nyc that aren't manhattan.

Another thing to note, as of the beginning of the year, NYC passed a law mandating any commercial building OVER 50,000 sf provide means of egress (read: freight elevator) access to people wanting to bring their bikes into the building. and if they can't provide said means that they must provide an alternative (off-site location within walking distance that is safe to lock up a bike).

now this may sound fine and dandy, but i work in a building on broad street that was built before WWI and though it does have a freight elevator, the hours of operation are 9-5, i'm usually in by 7:30 - 8. so i asked how i could use it... their answer "pay $125 an hour for the operator to work overtime hours." -- BS!

its a trend, like skinny jeans, its gonna be over one day.

I haven't bought coffee at the Runcible in at least ten years.