Riding in New York City

[HBK]

Hey!

For those of you riding in the immediate tristate area, there was a great article in the Sunday times about how bikefriendly the city is becoming. Woo-Hoo! We still have a long way to go but hings are definitely improving.

Go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/03/nyregion/thecity/03bike.html

Cheers!

Holly

[pedalfaster]

I saw that Sunday; great article.

Three cheers for city-planners who include bicycles in their transportation plans!

:cool:

[HBK]

Yeah, I'll say!!! Just one more thing to LOVE about the Big Apple!

Also, thanks PedalFaster for the Shoe advice in the Apparel forum. I'll be taking it.

Holly

[maryellen]

As a NYC grrl, definitely have to agree re the incompleteness of some of the bike paths *and* the problem of bike theft. For me to use a bike to get around town I would definitely have to get a beater bike (which I hope to do after we finish renovating our apartment). It's a great way to get around town if you have someplace to *put* the bike when you arrive at your destination!

[HBK]

The thing I appreciated about the article though was that the city planners definitely have it in mind to improve biking facilities around the city. (the tips about how to get to the beach were good too!) Already the fact that you can just about complete the loop around Manhattan is HUGE. Just five years ago there was no way to be able to do that. After the disaster I despaired that we would ever be able to get around lower Manhattan again. But just a couple of years later and it is better than ever. I was thrilled to know that several key city administrators (including the mayor) are bike enthusiasts. It gives me hope that cyclists will soon be able to have enough clout to REALLY change things, (like for example getting some safe places to lock or store your bike at work).

I don't think New York is ever going to be an easy place to cycle. But if it is safer and more efficient and people can actually consider biking to work from around the city, that will be a big big deal.

[ccnyc]

Hi NYC riders (or anyone in a heavy traffic city)... I have a question for you all.
I live in NYC (Manhattan) and I am TERRIFIED of riding on the street. I drive in my car, with my bike, to Central Park to ride on the weekend.
I'd really like to get over this... any tips on how to overcome my fears?

Thanks,

Carol

[maryellen]

hi Carol, you'll get used to it gradually. I live downtown in Flatiron-Gramercy and when I first started riding, I rented a bike at a LBS near the park and walked my bike over to the park. I still don't like riding on the streets, but I do it.

Try:
--start off by just riding a block or two
--riding on the streets early weekend mornings
--get someone to ride with you (great confidence builder)
--try to take the same route each time (so you know the streets and the potential trouble spots)
--go out on group rides w cycling clubs--they often ride through the city to get out and that will help get your comfort level up
--riding on the streets to the bike paths

feel free to contact me via private message if you want more info re any of the above

[ccnyc]

thanks mary ellen

All great ideas.

I guess a big part of my problem is that I am not as sure of my abilities as I was about 15 years ago when I used to ride regularly. I just started riding again in May 2004.
I do ride in New Jersey every weekend (with my husband), even in some traffic, and it doesn't seem as scary as riding in the city.
Maybe I'll park further away from the park this weekend so I have to do more street riding!

Carol

[Irulan]

i'm going to have to dig up a great ride report some NYC friends of mine did. they did an all day ride "bridges of Manhattan " ride where they made a route that crossed all the bridges at one point or another. ...hmmm.... how would I find that....

Irulan

[HBK]

Hi,

Very quickly, I think Mary Ellens suggestions are quite good. Especially about building confidence by riding with a partner. there is no better way to get comfortable with you own skills by following for a while. Also, get acquainted with the new east and west side bike paths. They can offset the time you spnd in traffic.

More later, Holly

[ccnyc]

Holly,
I'm definitely going to check out the bike paths, and I'll definitely get some practice riding in street traffic cause I live in the "black hole" of the bike paths... no entrances for 10 to 30 blocks north or south of me.
I did park further away from Central Park this weekend, so got to do a little more street riding... it wasn't too bad.