View Full Version : Scary story about biking in NYC
BumbleBeeDave
01-12-2009, 08:50 PM
Pretty damn scary . . .
http://mathewkatz.wordpress.com/2009/01/12/the-terrible-troubles-of-cycling-the-city/
BBD
fiamme red
01-12-2009, 09:03 PM
As I approached Bowery Street, I tried to keep an eye out for any erratic cars. No real New Yorker would make that mistake. :rolleyes:
BumbleBeeDave
01-12-2009, 09:13 PM
No real New Yorker would make that mistake. :rolleyes:
I rode for the first time last May in NYC on regular streets--not on streets closed for the BikeNY tour. I learned in about 30 seconds to assume that ALL cars--and all OTHER vehicles, too--on NY streets are erratic.
BBD
This is why I live on the Upper West Side.
BumbleBeeDave
01-13-2009, 09:34 AM
This is why I live on the Upper West Side.
So you're closer to NJ and can escape quicker?
BBD
So you're closer to NJ and can escape quicker?
BBD
Pretty much. Cuts down on the city riding considerably as I have easy access to central park and the GW bridge and beyond.
ThasFACE
01-13-2009, 09:42 AM
I might be more careful than most, but I restrict my riding in Manhattan to the CP loop, trips to/from the CP loop, and trips through the upper west side to the GWB. Riding in the city is scary. Makes me think that I should move.
fiamme red
01-13-2009, 10:07 AM
I love riding in NYC. I'm much more comfortable riding in rush hour traffic here than in the suburbs, because there are so many commuter cyclists and drivers know how to behave around them. Unlike in Matthew Katz's experience, drivers in Manhattan never tell me to ride on the sidewalk.
NYC (with the exception of Staten Island) has a very strong cycling culture. To see the enormous difference between the city and its environs, just go across the river to Jersey City, where there's hardly any cycling culture at all, and most of the few people you see on bicycles are riding on the sidewalk.
gemship
01-13-2009, 10:20 AM
Was the kid in a trailor? Sounds like it and those things are dangerous, I'm always surprised to see parents trailoring their children even out where I live in the sticks. It doesn't take much effort for a car to clip one.
BTW- the way the story was written especially the 1st paragraph seemed very heartless and factual. Surprising the postol worker didn't get charged for anything. Wouldn't a incident like this warrant vehicluar manslaughter?
KeithNYC
01-13-2009, 01:11 PM
I love riding in NYC. I'm much more comfortable riding in rush hour traffic here than in the suburbs, because there are so many commuter cyclists and drivers know how to behave around them. Unlike in Matthew Katz's experience, drivers in Manhattan never tell me to ride on the sidewalk.
NYC (with the exception of Staten Island) has a very strong cycling culture. To see the enormous difference between the city and its environs, just go across the river to Jersey City, where there's hardly any cycling culture at all, and most of the few people you see on bicycles are riding on the sidewalk.
What he said.
fourflys
01-13-2009, 02:39 PM
Ok, I'll be the first to say it...
From the article:
"Accidents...are common at this Brooklyn intersection—one of the city’s worst. It’s a five-way whirlwind of cars, busses, and suddenly-stopping delivery trucks"
Why, oh why would a parent even think about taking an 8 year old (on his own bike from what I can tell) through this intersection? I have a 9 year old that goes on rides with me on some pretty sane streets here in San Diego and if it is a two lane on each way, I make her ride on the sidewalk and me in the bike lane. This, by no means, excuses the postal truck, but why would you put yourself in this situation? Heck, I'd find an alternate if it was just me riding!
Sometimes, you just have to ask the parents ***?
Sorry to be so cold, but this hits home for me as a parent of young ones...(and a safety/medical guy to boot)
Chris
mike p
01-13-2009, 04:09 PM
http://video.google.com/videosearch?sourceid=navclient&rlz=1T4GGLL_en&q=lucas+brunelle&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=video_result_group&resnum=4&ct=title#
Welcome to the jungle
Mike
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