Quote Originally Posted by PamNY View Post
Mr Silver: I've seen both types of sewer grates. At least where I live, there are more unsafe than safe ones.

Most NYC cyclists weave through cars, not just messengers. I stay in the lane and don't weave, though I'm usually over to the side. I "take the lane" very rarely.

Eden, I agree this writer has had a lot of accidents. (I also think she should and could have gotten the EMT to lock up her bike). I also agree that weaving in and out of traffic increases risk, but that is simply the way things are done in much of Manhattan.
I'd agree that the layout of the cities is quite different- though our streets were in place before cars as well (my house was built in 1912) we have a system of residential streets and arterials and because of the geography of the city we don't have any large flatter expanses like Manhattan, so we have more of a single family residence layout than an urban apartment block style one. I grew up in Pittsburgh which is similar and I do think it is because of the steepness of the terrain. Most of the traffic can stay on 3 to 4 lane arterial roads, many of which have no on street parking, so taking a lane on your bike is reasonable and preferable. On residential streets with on street parking usually only one vehicle at a time can fit though... we have to take turns and you really shouldn't be going too fast (less than 20mph) or even be driving on them unless you have a reason to be on the street anyway (so technically through traffic is supposed to stay off those streets).