City Staff Ideas Challenge
#nycspeaks2022 Share your ideas for bold actions the Mayor should take
Bicycle lanes should be moved onto sidewalks with one lane consistent with traffic flow and have small curb cuts to separate bikes from cars/pedestrians. Non recreational cyclists should take safety classes and obtain a license. Color coordinated bike lanes green for all, red restricted for non recreational cyclists. Cyclist hubs that act like rest stops, where citi bikes could be rented and also be able to check tire pressure etc. This overhaul would be a multi pronged Boon to the City.
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Conversation with Jesse Meyerson
This is half of a good idea:
"Bicycle lanes should be moved onto sidewalks with one lane consistent with traffic flow and have small curb cuts to separate bikes from cars/pedestrians"
But where on the sidewalks would this be? With the trees and bioswales? Where the trash and recycling go? Or, did you mean to say:
"Bicycle lanes should be moved onto sidewalks that have been greatly expanded by annexing the public space taken up by parked privately-owned cars with one lane consistent with traffic flow and a curb cut to separate bikes from cars"? That'd be an improvement, not a degradation.
Simple answer, not every block in the city should have a bike lane. This wouldn’t be rigid and applied in all scenarios. Bikes can operate on roads and sidewalks, depending on which part of the city you are in.
I agree not every block should have a bike lane, just as not every block has lane demarcation of any kind -- but I still disagree that moving them onto the sidewalk is in anyway an improvement unless every single sidewalk is expanded by about 5-8 feet, which is only possible by re-claiming the public land taken by the storage of vehicles. But then you have the problem of the trees not being protective fixed objects between the road and the pedestrians, just in the middle of the clear zone. Also, everyone taking their trash to the curb has to cross a bike lane. Simply put we have to not build infrastructure to support automobiles: they are not the primary function of a city, the people are, and we need to provide all modes and manners of personal transportation equal opportunity, space, funding, and safety consideration.
I think it’s a fair middle ground, logistical issues aside. Biking is a decent transportation alternative during non inclement weather in warmer months but it’s not really fair or equal. Sure it’s perfect for the physically fit individual going to work aged 18-60, that lives somewhat near work. But even then, inter-borough travel is a nightmare. A large portion of the population can’t utilize it such as the elderly, small children, handicapped or injured can’t use it. Plus, a saddle bag on a bike can only hold so much.
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