Comments on: New Amsterdam Is Not Amsterdam

By: Sheldon J. Fine

Sheldon J. Fine — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 06:00:40 +0000

Kudos to Dan on his thoughtful and sensible comments on this issue as well as on his courage. For the record, the vote at the Board was 23-19-3 which is just a one vote majority. A great many of the experienced members and leaders of the Board opposed the resolution or abstained.

This decision to proceed with this plan was misguided, because there were several issues that were not answered or inadequately answered in the discussion at the Full Board meeting.
My greatest concern was over the safety issue arising from left turns that pitted vehicle drivers, bicyclists and pedestrians against each other with no mediator, either human or electronic. My question on this issue was barely answered.

In my opinion the vote should have been delayed until the issues of concern to board members were addressed appropriately. Why did it pass? It seemed that "pro-environmental fever' seemed to ignite the passions of those who have yet to realize that we will be inhaling the increased fumes caused by slower movement of vehicular traffic on Columbus Avenue and on the other thoroughfares that will be more congested as a result of this plan.

I was personally compelled to oppose the resolution when it came to a vote, out of fear for the safety of the bicyclists, motorists and the pedestrians when this is implemented and for the health of those who use Columbus Ave. and nearby avenues.

The public should realize that, most, if not all, CB7 members are pro-environment and support bicycling. However, we are first responsible for advisory positions which support the health and safety of our community. Therefore, the near tie vote should be a message to DOT that the support for this plan is questionable.

By: Joan

Joan — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 00:00:59 +0000

We're stretched to the limit with trying to accommodate all types of traffic in Manhattan. Bike lanes are good in parks and in areas where there is not a lot of automobile traffic (where that is in Manhattan, however, I'm not sure). Most cyclists do not obey the rules of the road and many of them are quite dangerous to pedestrian traffic, so I am not a big fan of bikers in the City. I don't know what you do about messengers, etc. who depend upon their bicycles for their livelihood, but for the rest of us who could just as easily use mass transit (or walk), the lanes are not necessary. Rather than bike lanes, the City should set aside some areas here and there, East Side, West Side, downtown, uptown, etc. where people could just bike for leisure and exercise. And then, there are the parks.

By: Estha Weiner

Estha Weiner — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:42:25 +0000

YES!

By: Info

Info — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 20:02:19 +0000

This is a great column! Thanks.
I think delivery bikes should be required to put a baseball card of choice in the spokes so we can hear them coming.

By: Frenchemilyt

Frenchemilyt — Sat, 03 Jul 2010 06:24:18 +0000

Hi Dan,

For what it's worth, here's my vote: Bike lanes - good! As a bike rider in the city (some of us cannot afford cars), I really appreciate the new (all-too-few) lanes and am looking forward to one on Columbus. Having lived in Amsterdam, I am well aware that you need to educate both drivers and bikers to respect each other. In fact, as part of a driver's training course in Holland, you are required to navigate around bicycles and vice versa. That's just common sense.

Dan, you write so beautifully. And your tremendous humour is always ever present and enjoyable. I loved the line about walking with your sweetie. I don't quite understand the need to come down so hard on one side of a subject when there are always more than two angles to any debate that's worth its weight in print. Just a thought.

Hope you're doing well.

Emily

By: Kmov1971@yahoo.com

Kmov1971@yahoo.com — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 23:04:26 +0000

Traffic in NYC is out of control! I am of the belief that a tax should be implemented to those that come into the City with their ugly SUV, & Limo's for pleasure and refuse to ride our public transportation, which, compared to other countries, is pretty good. Not all cyclist are rude and do not obey the rules, so should all cyclist suffer because a few are obnoxious and totally self-centered road hogs. I agree that more rules should be implemented for the few non-compliant and perhaps be fined when not obeying the rules of the road.

I know I am not responding to all your issues, but that's all I got for now.