The green line in the New York City Department of Transportation’s NYC Commuter Cycling Indicator (above) almost needs no caption. That’s because, more than specific numbers, it’s the trend in bicycle commuting in New York City that’s significant. And that trend is up. In fact, commuter cycling more than doubled from 2007 to 2011, according to the 2011 report by the NYC DOT last week.
The red arrow that’s been added, however, does require some explanation. Felix Salmon, who writes for Reuters, included this graphic in his Dec. 10 blog post to drive home the point that the increase in cycling coincides with the appointment of NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, whose vision is helping to transform the city streets into safer and more user-friendly places for cyclists and pedestrians. Read more…
photo: velojoy
I had two jarring experiences this week that reminded me of the complex calculus of sharing the road, and of the importance – for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists — of observing both the rules of the road and of common courtesy. In one circumstance, I was the victim. In another, I caused another person to feel like a victim.
The first instance was a run-in with what the bicycling community refers to in the most discrete terms as a “hater,” a man or woman who cannot abide cyclists, for whatever reasons. Here’s what happened: As a friend and I were on a weekend ride on a two-lane, shoulderless road on Long Island, in single file as required by local law, a man in an SUV paralleled us. As he leaned across the empty passenger seat, he swerved toward us and screamed out the open window: Get off the damn road! Read more…
As the popularity of cycling in New York City continues to grow, street signage helps advance the trend toward safer streets. The latest example of creative thinking by the NYC Department of Transportation is the safety education and public art campaign above. Curbside Haiku, a joint project of the DOT and the Safe Streets Fund, includes 12 designs by artist John Morse. Read more…
NYPD officers look on as T.A. Executive Director Paul Steely White (center) calls for traffic justice.
About 100 people gathered on Wednesday morning for a rally for traffic justice at One Police Plaza in Lower Manhattan, where Transportation Alternatives delivered a twine-bound stack of more than 2,600 letters from citizens asking NYC Police Commissioner Ray Kelly to hold dangerous drivers accountable.
On the forward line of the assembly were survivors of accidents caused by careless, distracted or reckless drivers of motor vehicles, as well as family and friends of victims. Among these was Erika Lefevre, whose son Mathieu was killed while on his bicycle by a flatbed truck at a Brooklyn intersection on October 18. The driver parked the rig several blocks away and was only identified days later. Shortly thereafter, the NYPD announced that no charges would be filed for leaving the scene of an accident or failing to exercise due care. The Lefevre family learned of this news from the media, and has basically received a cold shoulder in their quest for information from police investigators.
Erika Lefevre (center) returned to NYC for the rally to call for timely release of information.
“We want NYPD to take the time it needs to conduct an unbiased, thorough, professional investigation,” Mrs. Lefevre said. “But NYPD has caused us great pain with their mishandling and withholding of information, and their rush to clear the driver of any wrongdoing.” Read more…
Over the past week several news reports have highlighted widening availability of indoor bike storage to encourage commuting on two wheels by offering secure and convenient parking.
In Santa Monica, California over the weekend the nation’s biggest indoor bicycle parking facility opened its doors. It contains 360 parking slots situated in 5,300 square feet that also house retail space, bike repair, bike rentals and other services.
Closer to home, The New York Times quoted real estate insiders and advocates who say that bike rooms in commercial buildings are becoming more common, driven in part by a new access law and also by a trend toward energy-saving, green construction and retrofitting. Even that most iconic of New York City landmarks, the Empire State Building, has a bike room.
All this reminded me of my summer trip to Amsterdam where I visited what must be the penultimate indoor storage room — for 2,000 bicycles — situated beneath the Centrale Bibliotheek, or central library (top photo). In that city, sheltered and safe indoor parking is mandated by the building code, says Marc van Woudenberg, author of the popular Amsterdamize blog.
Read more…
After its enfant terrible moment of early snow, autumn returned to its best behavior last week, offering some of the most sublime days of the season for riding a bicycle in New York City. Along the Hudson River Greenway at 72nd Street, the sunset touched off a blaze in branches behind my bike (above), even as the height of autumn foliage color is still to come.
Although you might think that the gradually descending chill would lead to a lull in cycling-related activities, a list of upcoming New York City events suggests otherwise. Here are a few for your agenda: Read more…
photo: velojoy
posted by susi
One of my favorite spots for a walk in New York City is the High Line, the park on an elevated rail bed that runs along Manhattan’s West Side from Gansevoort Street to West 34th Street. Every time I’m up there, enjoying swaths of beautiful native plantings, inviting promenades and intriguing city and river views, I think with gratitude of Joshua David (above) and Robert Hammond, the visionary co-founders of Friends of the High Line.
In my mind, of course, seeing New York City from a different point of view, which is central to the High Line experience, invites parallels with riding a bicycle. So, it was fun to learn that David, in addition to — or rather in sync with — his commitment to preservation, is a city cyclist and an advocate for liveable streets as a member of the advisory council of Transportation Alternatives, the cycling and pedestrian advocacy organization. I photographed David with the Raleigh Grand Prix that he has owned since the late 1970s, in Chelsea near Section 2 of the High Line.
The story of how two neighborhood residents, with no prior experience in civic engagement, became enamored of an historic, 1.45-mile-long elevated rail structure and committed to save it from demolition for public use as a park, is one of the great examples of community activism and advocacy of recent times. That’s why it’s been a particular joy to read David’s and Hammond’s newly published book, High Line, The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky.
It was the industrial charm of High Line’s street-level architecture that led David, who, as a journalist, was researching an article about real estate development in Chelsea in 1999, to look up and ask:
“Wouldn’t it be cool to walk around up there, twenty-two city blocks, on this old elevated thing, on this relic of another time, in this hidden place, up in the air?”
From the outside looking in, the question is, “How’d they do it?” The story, which unfolds in an appealingly conversational format alternating between co-founders David and Hammond, is a compelling study in navigating a labyrinth of political hurdles and a sea of red tape to thoughtfully, collaboratively and with an uncompromising focus on quality bring a remarkable vision to life. Section 1 of the High Line opened in June 2009. The book also includes a beautiful selection of photographs that chronicle the history and development of the High Line.
Back on street level in Chelsea with David, the preservationist says he gives thought periodically to buying a new hybrid bicycle. However, his loyalty to the Raleigh has thus far overridden the impulse. “It’s developed a patina,” David says with a smile, sweeping a hand across the “distressed” top tube of a classic bicycle in the shadow of what used to be another relic: the High Line.
High Line: The Inside Story of New York City’s Park in the Sky, Farar, Straus and Giroux, 2011. Purchase the book from the High Line web store, and all proceeds go toward maintenance and operation of the park.
You can’t ride your bike on the High Line, but you can park it it style. This handsome, lighted rack is situated below the southerly staircase. Read more…
The twitter and Facebook feeds of GM blew up with outrage last night in response to an article published online by the League of American Bicyclists. “GM Blunders onto Campus” called out an ad campaign (above) by the American car giant that encourages college students to ditch bicycles in favor of special savings on cars.
The ad, which gives the appearance of assigning cyclists to second-class citizenship with its photo and “Reality Sucks” headline, carries the tag line “Stop pedaling…start driving,” and refers college students to a GM website for college discounts on cars.
Here was the League’s take: “If you are a student looking to add tens of thousands of dollars of long term debt, care little about the environment, and want to lump two tons of steel around campus while paying through the nose for insurance, gas, and parking…General Motors has got the perfect deal for you.” Read more…
I recently read that twice as many young adults, ages 18 – 24, bowl as ride bicycles, according to the 2011 Statistical Abstract published by the U.S. Census Bureau. No disrespect to bowling, but this information is an eye-opener because young people represent the future of bicycling. That’s why creative efforts to help engage them in cycling and in advocacy are so vital and worthy of support. One wonderful example is the second annual Youth Bike Summit sponsored by Recycle-A-Bicycle and scheduled for January 13 – 15, 2012 in New York City.
In preparation for the summit, the steering committee is soliciting youth and adult workshop leaders, as well as entries to the Youth Bike Summit Art Competition and Youth Bike Summit Essay Contest. The deadline for all submissions is October 22. (Find complete information and instructions here.)
The video below by Streetfilms captures the optimistic spirit of the more than 200 students, educators and advocates from 14 states who gathered at The New School in Manhattan at last year’s summit to explore how bicycling can become a legitimate and safe form of transportation for today’s youth.
“I was moved by the rich exchange that took place between people of all ages,” said event organizer and Recycle-A-Bicycle Executive Director Pasqualina Azzarello.
In her keynote address, NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan cited ongoing improvements to cycling infrastructure and noted, “The youth that’s here today is the future of New York City, and they have a big stake in the game in terms of wanting to see that their streets are as safe as they possibly can be.”
Recycle-A-Bicycle is a New York City community-based bike shop and not-for-profit organization that provides education and job training programs and encourages environmental stewardship and everyday bicycling.
Third Annual Brooklyn Waterfront Epic Ride on Saturday
You’ll have earned your visit to Rockaway Taco after enjoying a 40-mile ride along Brooklyn’s entire waterfront and Jamaica Bay. The Third Annual Brooklyn Waterfront Epic Ride on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. begins at Manhattan Avenue at Newtown Creek in Greenpoint (second pick-up point in Bay Ridge), proceeds along the waterfront, and concludes at the food vendors at the Rockaway Beach Club. Chill at the shore or travel back independently by bike along Flatbush Avenue, or via public transportation. Register before 3 p.m. on Friday.
The Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway will eventually include a 14-mile route for recreation and transportation, running from Greenpoint to Sunset Park. Unable to ride this time? Learn more about the Greenway and download a free map here.
Thanks to the London Cyclist!
A hearty hat-tip to Andreas, who writes the terrific blog London Cyclist, for his welcome and overview of the London cycling scene on my recent visit. Check out his post this week, “5 Things to Know When a Cycling Friend Visits London” which includes mention of a certain NYC blogger. Read more…
