NYC cyclists are a bunch of hoodlums

[maryellen]

[sigh] hate the bad PR--even if a lot of it is true. Pedestrians don't "register" our presence and/or assume we can stop on a dime. Vehicles don't care. But still we ride . . .

[PamNY]

I'm having an interesting time with two intersections near me. There are special crossing guards because of the heavy pedestrian traffic around the WTC site. It's an intimidating street at times due to tour buses, regular buses, and construction vehicles. The guards' sole purpose is directing pedestrians, and they do let people cross against the light when there's no oncoming traffic.

A couple of times I thought they were ignoring me on my bike, but then I realized: they probably have no idea what bikers are going to do, since not all bikers go strictly by the law. I recently waited patiently through most of a green light, and the guy finally stopped the pedestrians so I could go through. I know he would have stopped them sooner if I were a car, but I am hesitant to call and complain. I'm probably better off with the guards since it's impossible to get through a tour group of thirty people who are determined to jaywalk.

Pam

[maryellen]

My sympathy Pam! I find tour groups (and the awkwardly sized tour buses) to be perhaps the most challenging pedestrian obstacles. I dread them seeing them altho in this economy, I'm happy to see folks visiting NYC.

I work on Worth St and am glad not to have to go further downtown. I was on the bikepath last Sunday and was a trifle irritated at the various detours south of Chambers St.

[PamNY]

Maryellen, I continually remind myself to think of the glass as half full when it comes to the west side bike path! It's such an annoying obstacle course to get to the good part, but I am so happy when I get there!

Pam

[salsabike]

The tone in part of this thread bothers me enough so that I want to say something. I've been in and out of NYC all my life. Bleecker is right. All of the traffic in NYC is insane--cars, pedestrians, bikes. We were there last November, and the cars actually seemed a little less crazed to me than, say, ten years ago---although they are still pretty bonkers--- but some of the bicyclists scared the crap out of both of us. And I don't think there's anything wrong with saying so. Saying that doesn't get drivers off any hook. And bad drivers shouldn't get crazy cycling off the hook either.