NYC bike lanes

[Geonz]

Engineering, enforcement and education - and not necessarily in that order because it takes all three.

Health risk ?!?!? Is he saying bikes just shouldn't be there at all? Get the cars outta there - they're the health risk. (And weather? B.S. Complete B.S.)

I could *fully* understand a sensible cycling advocate suggesting that bike lanes aren't appropriate there - that maybe sharrows would be a better option, with education and enforcement - but "health risk?"

[rij73]

I live in Brooklyn but have biked in Manhattan several times. I think Bloomberg is a fool about bike lanes. They would be great everywhere, but yes, I think they would have to be separated in some way. Otherwise, everyone will just double park right on them. That happens all the time where the lanes already exist.

There are quite a lot of bike lanes in the city. I find you have to really plan out your routes to be as safe as possible. There's a great cycling map published every couple of years, and it's on the web here: http://www.transalt.org/resources/maps It not only shows bike lanes, but also streets that are particularly wide and bicycle friendly.

Biking in the city really isn't all that bad as long as you are confident and alert. Drivers are used to bikes and are basically respectful in my experience. I'm sure to make eye contact at intersections, and ride very visibly.

[MM_QFC!]

...that maybe sharrows would be a better option, with education and enforcement - but "health risk?"

Just MHO, however I think that sharrows s*ck! Drivers don't understand them or heed them. We've had them on some Seattle streets and it seems as though the lack of a clearly painted and well-delineated line to indicate a bike lane, means nothing. I can't see them fairing any better on Manhattan's non-stop busy streets.

Also, I've ridden on the Hudson River (westside) bike path a couple of times, as it's the final leg of the Empire State AIDS ride. We re-group on the northern end of Manhattan and ride down Riverside Dr first, then pick up the bike path all the way down to finish near Battery Park. Even little bicycles on the traffic lights! It's slow going on a busy Saturday afternoon, but works better than out on the street. Just my $.02...
Mary