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 This is the NYC.gov News You Requested for: "Bicycle Updates" |
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NYCycles - The Official Newsletter of NYC DOT's Bike Program
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Quick Bit:
"The Department of Transportation has realized that its jurisdiction covers the basic unit of urban life: the street. There, lifestyles intersect and city dwellers co-exist with people different from themselves. It���s where we learn toleration, where leisure shares space with urgency, commerce with activism, baby carriages with handcarts���truly public place allows people to move at many different paces, or not to move at all." New York Magazine, Reasons to Love New York
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| Brooklyn Bridge Path Makeover |
Most seasoned New York City cyclists have a love-hate relationship with the Brooklyn Bridge. The majestic skyline views and the architecture of the bridge itself are alluring. So alluring in fact that thousands of tourists, not to mention third grades classes from Tulsa, fill the path daily, causing congestion and sometimes conflict. Many tourists don't know the rules of the path (cyclists stay on the north side, pedestrians on the south) and cyclists, dealing with the day-in and day-out stream of visitors grow frustrated and often resort to yelling or other inconsiderate behavior.
Last year a tourist was seriously injured by a cyclist on the Brooklyn Bridge. While this kind of incident is rare, it is still unacceptable.
In order to alleviate some of this tension and to provide safer conditions, the DOT recently upgraded the signage and markings on the Brooklyn Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path. The new markings make the separation between the bike and pedestrian path more distinct, hopefully improving communications with the non-English speaking path users. DOT has also practiced a bit of traffic calming for bikes - by painting a new stripe on the bike path side, the path is visually narrowed, encouraging cyclists to ride more slowly and making the varying and sometimes quite narrow width of the bicycle lane conspicuously apparent.
The DOT also relocated the crosswalk and installed new flexible bollards near the Brooklyn side of the bridge, where the stairs go down into DUMBO. These new bollards protect pedestrians as they are transitioning onto the bridge and give them a moment to consider that faster moving cyclists are also using the path. New ���Cyclists Yield to Pedestrians��� signs will be placed at and in advance of the crosswalk later this month.
Cyclists in New York City are required to have a bell by law. Put it to use on the Brooklyn Bridge path if you are passing pedestrians or need them to clear out of the bike lane. A ding works much better than a shout and the good reputation of New Yorkers will be enhanced if your ringing bell is accompanied with a smile and "thank you". Moderate your speed on the down hill part of your trip ��� that will do the most to keep everyone safe and in good spirits.
If you're at the end of your patience, consider taking the nearby Manhattan Bridge north side bicycle path, pedestrians have their own path on the south side giving cyclists a less stressful trip over the East River (and some fresh new views too).
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| What You Can Do to Keep the Bike Network Growing in 2009 |
- Attend your Community Board meetings when bike projects are discussed and speak up in support of them. DOT generally presents plans for new bike lanes at Community Board meetings in advance of installing them. For larger projects, such as a protected lane or a lane that will involve other changes to the design or regulation of the street, DOT staff sometimes goes to the Community Board multiple times for suggestions as we finalize the plans. DOT most often presents either to the Transportation Committee or the full board depending on the scale of the project and the wishes of the board.
- Write to or call your City Councilmembers and let them know their constituents ride bikes and support safer streets for cycling. Invite them to take a ride with you in the district.
- Write a letter to your local paper that explains why new lanes matter or supporting a particular lane that's being discussed in your community.
Share your bike knowledge with family, friends and colleagues. Keep up with the bicycle network expansion here and help others discover new routes as we install them. The more people using the lanes, the more we can show that they are a worthwhile investment in the safety and mobility of all New Yorkers.
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And to get more bike parking
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Outdoors
You can use this form to make a suggestion or write to us at:
CITYRACKS
40 Worth Street - Room 1035
New York, NY 10013 |
Due to high volumes of requests for CityRacks, NYCDOT is prioritizing installation in areas that would benefit from clusters of bicycle parking. We will target installations in areas where we have received multiple requests and/or a "bulk" request from a Community Board, Business Improvement District, civic association or other group of community members.
Indoors
Support the Department of City Planning's proposed change to the zoning code which would require new buildings to provide indoor bicycle parking. On November 17, 2008, the Department of City Planning referred for a 60-day period the proposed text amendment (N 090191 ZRY) to all community boards, borough boards and borough presidents for review and comment. The City Planning Commission will then hold a public hearing on the proposal. Following the Commission's vote, the City Council will have up to 50 days to review the proposed text amendment. You can talk to your Community Board now, or attend the public hearing in a few weeks.
Ask your building to provide indoor bike parking. Transportation Alternatives has a handy guide that covers everything from what to say to your building manager to how to cite indoor racks.
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New Bicycle Routes
The construction season is nearly over, see a list of all the new lanes we've installed this year.
Get Your 2008 NYC Cycling Map
Get your copy of the Departments of Transportation, City Planning and Parks' 2008 NYC Cycling Map. The map includes bike lanes, routes, greenways, parks, bike shops and subway stations in all five boroughs. The map also shows bike rental locations. Download a copy online, pick up one at a local bike shop or order one for FREE by calling 311.
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Street Smart Cycling:
Wear bright colors and reflective material, or dress your bike up with both. Michael Mandiberg, OpenLab Research Fellow at Eyebeam Gallery in Manhattan, shows how to create your very own " Bright Bike" in this video. |
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Quick Tip:
Keep cycling all winter with some handy tips from colder climates (Chicago to be precise). According to Chicago Bike Winter winter biking essentials include willingness, windproof cycling gear, a good glove/mitten combo, head covering that fits under your helmet, a wicking layer to wear next to your skin and of course a white headlight and red rear taillight and reflective tape. See more tips from Chicago Bike Winter. |
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Road and Bridge Closures
For information about street closures, sign up for weekly traffic advisories.
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Free Helmets
The DOT has distributed over 12,000 official NYC Bicycle Helmets for free to New York City residents. You can schedule a time to get fitted for an NYC helmet at one of the DOT's Safety Cities by calling 311. Check our events calendar for upcoming fittings. |
Suggest Bike Rack Locations
Do you live or work somewhere that could benefit from bike parking? NYCDOT is working with Community Boards to identify strategic areas to install clusters of new bike parking, including at transit stations, along commercial corridors and at other major destinations. If you'd like to suggest an area that needs bike parking contact your Community Board. |
Report a Problem or Send Kudos
 Potholes
Street Construction Hazards
Missing or Broken Street Signs
Report a faded or damaged bike lane: Call 311
Other Complaints and Compliments |
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