Bette Dewing

Incidentally, the “Smile!” and “Don’t rush!” inscribed on my billfold aim to reduce stress and remind me to stow my wallet deep within my pocketbook after a transaction, even if the cashier and those waiting behind me are impatient. Evidently, I wasn’t careful after making a CVS purchase, and shortly after, at the Morton Williams checkout counter, I realized the billfold was missing.

Infinitely more important, of course, are the everyday dangers to life and health. I still can’t find out why Elizabeth Brody is no longer a patient at Cornell-Weill Medical Center. Lack of publicity means I’d better remind you that Ms. Brody is the 28-year-old woman who suffered severe head trauma when struck by one of two cabs that collided as she waited to cross 79th and Second on July 23. No one at the Ann Taylor corporate headquarters where Ms. Brody worked as a buyer has gotten back to me.

We need to know if this beloved daughter and sister survived and also about the intense suffering she endured or endures. Above all, we need to hear these often extremely hard truths from media, so that prevention of traffic tragedies and traffic crimes become a top priority of government.

And it should start at the top. Does, for example, Mitt Romney’s tragic experience as a young man make him more concerned about traffic safety?

It surely relates to deficits and health care costs; traffic crashes cost upward of $160 billion annually. Besides zero tolerance for traffic infractions, government should go all-out on support for mass transit, the safest land travel mode. And, get everyone to slow down, slow down, slow down!

Ah, and Grandparents’ Day is Sunday, Sept 9. Let it not be just one day of remembering. No grandparents? Then adopt an elder who could use some family. Here’s to more visible elders at those conventions and on the campaign trails. I’d vote for anyone who supported all the above.

dewingbetter@aol.com

Bette Dewing

Renewing an All-Out Fight Against Traffic Crimes

“Stay safe” says the green whistle Assemblyman Micah Kellner gave out at the 19th Precinct’s Night Out Against Crime held at the entrance to beautiful Carl Schurz Park. (Ah, if nature like this were truly appreciated, there’d be less crime to protest—an Olympian goal.)

I took a lot of “stay safe” whistles for people I know without doormen and for others who literally blow whistles at traffic crime perps they happen to spot. That’s Olympian.

Most on my mind at the Night Out Against Crime event was 28-year-old Elizabeth Brody lying in New York Presbyterian Cornell/Weill Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit with severe head trauma suffered when an SUV and taxi collided at 79th Street and Second Avenue and hurled her into a light pole. It happened July 24 while Elizabeth waited on the sidewalk for her walk signal.

While exceedingly grateful to learn at the Night Out Against Crime event that 19th Precinct crime was at a new low, I so wanted this group, which included civic activists, elected officials and police personnel, to talk about Elizabeth Brody and how we must push the mayor, police and transportation commissioners to do infinitely more to prevent what I’ve long called traffic crimes and traffic tragedies. Olympian labels.

You don’t have to be a rocket scientist to know that you lower the speed limit in general, and even more for vehicles making a turn. Reportedly, MTA bus drivers are supposed to slow to 5 mph before making a turn. Why not every vehicle?

This long-overdue measure would have prevented countless traffic tragedies, including that which befell the 19th Precinct’s own longtime auxiliary police officer Alberta Kenny. A turning school bus failed to yield as she crossed 79th and York with the light. Also unheeded by City Hall is Charles Komanoff’s consummate Killed By Automobile manual with its “deadly turns” stats, case histories and solutions. Timeless and available at kea@igc.org or Charles Komanoff, 11 Hanover Square, 21st floor, NYC 10005.

The Upper East Side/Roosevelt Island newsletter reports that the Highway Patrol is studying surveillance footage of the collision that threatens the life of Elizabeth Brody. But drivers are rarely charged, unless it’s a DUI. The government must be charged for its relative unconcern with crimes and tragedies of traffic even though their monetary cost is also monumental. So please, please push for all that and remember to cross where they can’t turn into you and swing your arms vigorously at every crossing.

We must let Elizabeth’s parents, Allana and Mark Brody, know of the community’s hopes and prayers for their daughter’s recovery, and of a renewed all-out commitment to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies of traffic. Truly Olympian goals.

Speaking of families, despite its being his son’s fifth birthday, Assemblyman Daniel Quart took time to attend the Night Out Against Crime. “Don’t worry,” he assured me, “I’ll be back in time for the family celebration.” And that family is to be celebrated for being the multigenerational extended kind, who all even live in the same ZIP code. (Countless wish their families, at least, lived in the same area code.) If ever there were a “crime stopper” and preventative health-care family lifestyle, it is the Quarts’. Unlike current campaign trails and rallies, family and other elders were very visible on Dan’s. Couldn’t be more Olympian.

dewingbetter@aol.com

Phil Marmet

Office/sales

manager,

ABUS Mobile Security, Inc.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

The most essential bike accessory for New York City would be a good lock—without your bike, there is no place to mount the other cool accessories you can find at the New Amsterdam Bicycle Show.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

I would recommend the high-security locks from ABUS. Chains like the Granit City Chain 1060 and 1010 offer excellent protection from even the most extreme attacks, and the Bordo Granit X-Plus and U-54 U-lock are great security options as well. I use a Bordo Granit X-Plus in Chicago.

Elayne Fowler 

Marketing director,
Electra Bicycle Company

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

Electra has 5 collections of bicycles that are appropriate for New York City—uptown, downtown, crosstown, over the bridge and Central Park riding. Your choice depends on your personality, style preference and functional needs.

Verse is a stylish, lightweight aluminum 700c fitness and everyday transportation bicycle that you can easily add accessories to customize for your specific needs. It comes in 21- and 24-speed.

Ticino is designed with the heritage enthusiast in mind; it’s a lightweight aluminum 700c bicycle with artisan craftsmanship attention to detail. It’s offered in variety of gearing options—1, 7-, 8- and 20-speed.

Amsterdam is a lightweight aluminum 700c elegantly updated Dutch city bike. Sophisticated fashion and classic designs evolved with modern components to provide practical and stylish transportation, while patented Flat Foot Technology sets the standard in comfort and control.

Townie is a lightweight aluminum frame with 26- and 24-inch wheels. It combines the industry innovation of patented Flat Foot Technology with a completely different ride experience, setting the standard in comfort and control.

Cruiser has aluminum and steel frames with 26- and 24-inch wheels. It’s a modern interpretation of all-American classic, bursting with personality and Electra’s coveted patented Flat Foot Technology providing additional comfort and control.

Who is best suited for electric bikes? Do people ever have to overcome a “guilt factor” before getting one?

Electric bikes are a good option for those who need a little boost to help them on their ride. They’re also a good option if you don’t want to get as sweaty during a ride. However, they are fairly expensive and heavy—you don’t want to bring one up five flights of stairs in a walk-up—but they definitely do have a market.

What are the advantages of a cruiser bike and what types of riders tend to like them best?

Cruisers are simple and sturdy and are a great option for riders looking for a fun and comfortable way to get around. Some cruiser models are inexpensive, making them a smart choice for those with limited budgets.

What advice do you have for riding in New York City?

Always be alert and be familiar with your surroundings. Always wear a helmet, follow the rules of the road and use good lighting if riding at night.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

The increased popularity of urban cycling in general. More and more people are turning to cycling as an everyday transportation solution.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians?

Make contact, smile and say hello. Also, follow the rules of the road and be a courteous cyclist.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

A helmet is the most essential bike accessory. A cycling-specific smart phone app, such as Strava, makes for a fun way to log and review your ride. And a stylish pair of quality sunglasses is always a nice accessory for a ride.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

Buy the lock that best suits your budget and needs—and don’t skimp. You’re better off buying one step better in a lock for enhanced security.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for? 

Even though you may be in a bike lane, always be aware of your surroundings. Be on the lookout for illegally parked cars, pedestrians and any other potential hazards.

Ryan Zagata

President, Brooklyn Cruiser

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

Two words come to mind for daily commuters: comfort and durability. You want a bike that you feel physically and emotionally good riding, but also a bike that will stand up to the rigors of your daily commute. We advise internal gearing systems and are also partial to coaster brakes, which tend to be a bit more weather agnostic.

If your commute is more than 10 miles, a lightweight, multigeared bike might keep you from being sweaty and exhausted when you get to work. If you have a short commute, I’d advise riding something that keeps your clothes clean and you feel happy and comfortable riding. It’s always awkward seeing a man in a business suit hunched over a racing bike with all his tailored garments stretched to their limit.

Casual riders should choose something they think they looks good on and reflects their ability or casualness.

Fitness-focused New Yorkers don’t have much time, so they like to get in a good workout as quickly as possible. If you’re going to do laps in Central Park or Prospect Park, make it your own personal Velodrome. Get yourself a track bike—it’s said that a 30-mile ride on a track bike is the equivalent to a 50-mile ride on a geared bike.

What are the advantages of a cruiser bike and what types of riders tend to like them best?

The cruiser is pure cycling joy. It’s what we felt the first time we shed our training wheels and experienced the freedom of independent rolling. The cruiser doesn’t care about speed or performance; it allows the rider to simply experience the world as it rolls steadily by without thinking too much about handling the bike.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

The trend playing itself out here in New York and in other cities across the globe: that cities are slowly accepting is that cycling is going to be a major form of transportation and they are making accommodations for that. I think it’s starting to affect who is getting on a bike in the city. It’s not just the cycling diehards—I mean honestly, my grandparents ride bikes too.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians? 

Obey all traffic laws—this includes riding with traffic, stopping at stop signs and red lights and looking both ways before turning. Stay alert; never assume drivers or pedestrians can see you or hear you.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item? 

I’ll just assume everyone wears helmets, so beyond that, lights, front and back—get them. Splurge on nice wheels; they say a half a

pound off your wheel set feels like a full pound off your frame.

What are the latest trends in helmets? How do you make sure you are wearing them properly? 

I think ergonomics have come a long way in helmets; right now we are spinning wheels and pulling straps that make it feel like there is a little tailor running around inside your helmet. Helmets are becoming more fashionable, too, from flashy glitter helmets to tweed caps that look like you should be mounting a horse for polo. I have seen many times helmets worn backwards—I appreciate the comic effect, but you’re compromising your safety. Make sure the straps are tight enough to keep the helmet on your head if thrown from the bike, but just loose enough not to choke you.

What is the best lock/security system to use? Do any of the less expensive ones give you good security? 

I’ll always say the best security system is to take your bike inside with you—it prevents exposure to the elements and deters the unsavory characters on the street. If you do leave it on the street, be certain that both wheels and the frame are locked to a steadfast holding. A cable lock is going to be good for a minimal amount of time in a well-trafficked area, otherwise, it’s virtually useless in stopping an able thief.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for? 

We have seen this on occasion, the same way some drivers get a bit too relaxed. We encourage riders to treat bike lanes no differently than if they are driving a vehicle: obey traffic laws and ride defensively, always assuming that others do not see you.

The next mayor may not be as bike-friendly as the current administration. What should he or she know about urban biking and what’s the next step New York City should take?

All the next mayor needs to do is retain Janette Sadik-Khan as commisioner of DOT—she gets it, she really gets it.

Julie Hirschfeld

Owner, Adeline Adeline, 147 Reade St.

What bikes do you recommend for daily commuters, casual riders and the fitness-focused in New York City?

For commuters we recommend any bike with fenders and a chain guard. Personally, I prefer a more upright ride. It’s much more comfortable in street clothes and it makes you more visible to traffic. We are big fans of Pashley, Linus and Bobbin.

What advice do you have for riding in New York City?

Ride defensively and enjoy the view.

What’s your favorite biking trend?

Small-wheeled bikes. They evoke ’60s cool and are easy to ride and easy to store.

Is there anything bikers should do to ease tensions with pedestrians?

Stop riding on the sidewalk. Not riding against a light through pedestrian traffic would help, too.

What is the most essential bike accessory and the best splurge item?

Essential: sadly, a lock. The best splurge item is the Brooks Millbrook leather bicycle bag.

What are the latest trends in helmets? How do you make sure you are wearing them properly?

We focus on simple skate-style helmets in neutral colors. We also carry Yakkay from Denmark, which looks more like a hat than a helmet. A helmet should fit snugly enough that it doesn’t move around on its own, but not so snug that it gives you a headache.

What is the best lock/security system to use? 

I’m a big fan of Abus locks. They’re very well-made and easy to use. In New York City we recommend either a U-lock or a heavy-duty chain lock—these are not for the faint of heart.

Do some bikers relax too much in bike lanes? What should they be on the lookout for?

Being overly relaxed is not how I think of the typical New Yorker. Mostly, I look out for cars in the bike lane.

The next mayor may not be as bike-friendly the current administration. What should he or she know about urban biking and what’s the next step New York Cityshould take?

We need a continued focus on infrastructure and safety. There is no reason New York City shouldn’t be a fantastic biking city.

For more bike coverage visit nypress.com.

By Scott M. Stringer

For anyone who spends time on the streets of Manhattan, the congestion in our bike lanes has become a familiar sight: Cars and buses block the lanes for minutes at a time, sometimes longer. When motorists open their doors without checking for oncoming bikes, collisions can injure passengers and riders alike.

Pedestrians also clog the lanes, even as cyclists approach. And bike riders contribute to the problem by riding the wrong way in designated lanes.

I am a big supporter of bike lanes. They enrich our environment and boost the quality of life and health of New York City residents. But misuse by all parties, including motorists, pedestrians and cyclists, is undermining their success.

That’s why, in response to numerous complaints by constituents, my office recently conducted an unprecedented survey of bike lanes in Manhattan. We found more than 1,700 abuses at 11 separate sites, based on observations by my staff during morning and evening rush hours over three days in October.

On the Upper West Side we found motor vehicles and pedestrians repeatedly blocking lanes, misuse of the lanes by city vehicles, cyclists riding on the sidewalk and other safety hazards. Over three one-hour observation periods, surveyors noted 156 total infractions at 94th Street and Columbus Avenue. Of those, 116 were motor vehicles and pedestrians. Surveyors also observed a DOT vehicle parked in the bike lane for an entire hour and an unmarked police vehicle in an apparent non-emergency situation cutting through protected bike lanes, to circumvent traffic stopped by a red light.

For the Upper West Side community and the rest of our city, the bottom line is clear: We need to develop a bicycle-friendly culture where New Yorkers respect the bike lane and clear the path.

The Department of Transportation has done a great job in creating bike lanes. But we need to make sure they are working properly, so they can be enjoyed in all of our neighborhoods. My office has made the following recommendations:

• Increase enforcement against motorists who drive in or obstruct bike lanes. This was the most significant and prevalent threat to bike lanes found in our study. During our survey, we observed 275 motor vehicle blockages in bike lanes, but only two summonses were issued.
• Provide enhanced street signage for cyclists, pedestrians and vehicles. In particular, the Department of Transportation should provide signs that warn riders against cycling the wrong way in bike lanes.
• Taxi Cab Public Awareness Campaign on Dooring. Dooring, the act of hitting a cyclist with an open car door, is a serious threat to bicyclist and passenger safety. The Taxi and Limousine Commission should launch a campaign to educate drivers and the public about the problem.
• Reserve parking spots for deliveries along commercial streets to discourage potential bike lane blockages. This would help reduce a serious cause of obstructions in many Manhattan bike lanes.
• Increase the frequency of Bike Boxes along bike routes. Cyclists often report that for their own safety they must get a head start on motor vehicles at red lights. DOT, in response, has created Bike Boxes that give riders a safe place while waiting for traffic signals to change. We need more of them.
• Where appropriate, DOT should develop bike lanes that reduce the mixing of cyclists, pedestrians and motorists.

Finally, I urge DOT to conduct regular surveys such as the one by my office, so we can have a more reliable source of information whether our bikes lanes are working properly.

_

Scott M. Stringer is an Upper West Side resident and Manhattan Borough President.

I was very much interested in the West Side Spirit’s story (“Dismount Signs Ignored, Taken Down in Riverside Park,” Sept. 1) about bike rider’s etiquette (or lack thereof) in Riverside Park.

I am a bike rider and I always dismount and walk the bike through the park from 72nd Street until I reach the river. My experience is that I’m invariably smiled at and thanked for showing them this small consideration. To me it makes good sense. Who wants to terrorize pedestrians and dogs?

Now on to the signs!

“Cyclists Must Dismount” seems a bit like those garbage trucks that shout “Don’t Litter.” ”Please Don’t Litter” has more of an appeal and I think people would surely respond to it. Similarly ,“Cyclists Please Dismount” has a much more charming and persuasive ring.

While workers were putting up the new vandal-proof dismount signs, I suggested they should instead hang banners over the pathway. They might read “Please Dismount for Safety’s Sake.”

Personally, I have a beef with pedestrians and joggers who inhabit the bike lane all the way down to Battery Park City. There is a path especially for them, but they use the bike path anyway. It’s a menace to bikers, especially when fast bikes need to overtake the pedestrians and come very close to hitting oncoming bikes in the other lane!

Part of the pleasure of cycling along that route is being able to look at the buildings, the sky and the river. The advent of nearly running into a pedestrian who has just arrived in one’s lane is very upsetting indeed. During the weekends, it’s sometimes hard to even get past groups of pedestrians in the bike lane.

David Hakes
Upper West side

By Bette Dewing

Just before the mayor’s weekly John Gambling WOR radio show, I heard the following public service announcement: “Parking violations violate the rights of disabled persons. Call 311 to report.” But where are the warnings to drivers and cyclists against their moving violations, which take lives and physically injure and emotionally stress even traffic law-observant pedestrians?

While the 19th Precinct got back to me on two Upper East Side daytime traffic tragedies, further permission is needed to get their names for the critical follow-up about the condition of the woman, age 80, whose legs were crushed by a tractor-trailer turning into her crosswalk. But what’s the mayor doing to stop this most deadly crime of traffic? A fatally injured man, age 76, was struck by a yellow cab, which a Daily News witness said was speeding—where’s the move to lower the speed limit to reduce death and injury, and also to lower the cost of these accidents and gasoline use? A “safety first” mayor would rescind those cuts in mass transit, the safest travel mode!

Little, if any, follow-up coverage was given the drunk-driver killing of Nelson Mandela’s great-granddaughter, 13, after a Word Cup concert. Little remembered is the killing of this legendary hero’s eldest son in a 1960s traffic tragedy—or Mandela’s words: “It leaves a sorrow which will never go away.”

The mayor spoke briefly of a recent visit with his elder mother in Massachusetts: “How is she?” “Well, she ate more than I did!” Laughter, but nothing about what she said, or that being 100 is difficult, even for the wealthy.

If only the mayor and Gambling, too, had attended the International Longevity Center’s five-day conference held in its gracious, high-ceilinged brownstone at 60 E. 86th St. We heard presenters from myriad age-related fields of physical and mental health, science, government and the private sector, talking about what’s being done to meet healthcare needs, especially of the large, aging Boomer group: “Preventing and treating Alzheimer’s must become as huge a worldwide collective mission as AIDS!” “The need for more geriatricians and general practitioners is critical!”

Dr. Robert Butler, host, president and founder of the International Longevity-Center-USA, is a pioneer gerontologist, long associated with Mount Sinai Medical Center. His book, Why Survive? Being Old in America won a Pulitzer. His latest, The Longevity Prescription, was just released. Butler now knows the elder experience, as did three attending journalists, but only I knew the distinction of needing a cane. Yes, I said “distinction,” and authorities at the conference believe the lack of respect for elders and their disabilities exacerbate “aging problems” and limit treatment. Indeed, while Butler’s earlier book, Ageism, strongly challenged this prejudice, an ever more youth-driven culture and media have made it socially acceptable.

Being providentially assigned a seat next to Leigh Donaldson, a thirtysomething black journalist from Maine, provided me interaction often missing in our age-
segregated society. For one thing, his better hearing was often a help. And we surely agreed in everyone sharing the talk. To be continued. The center’s website is www.ilcusa.org, and email is info@ilcusa.org. The telephone is 212-288-1468. The “real mail” address is 60 E. 86th St., New York, N.Y. 10028.

Very health-care related: heartfelt thanks to two Yorkville school crossing guards retiring this week. Protecting life and limb at considerable risk to themselves are Maryann Medaglio, for her 29 years at 79th and York, and Margaret Novak, for her 18 years at 78th and York, and 12 years at 82nd and Second. You are our heroes!

Parents of children who attend schools around West 96th Street say they have tried to make these blocks safer. They have gone to community board meetings and reached out to elected officials with their complaints and recommendations. But nothing has improved. So now the unsatisfied parents and school administrators have joined with a local pedestrian advocacy group to detail the traffic problems. Eight schools are now working with the group Upper West Side Street Renaissance on the “Corridor 96 Project.”

The busy intersection of West 96th Street and Amsterdam Avenue. Photo by Andrew Schwartz

Tila Duhaime, one of the project’s organizers, said 14 volunteers stood on the corners tallying infractions from car drivers. There was plenty of red-light running and failing to yield to pedestrians while making a turn, she said.

“There is that behavior in a lot of places in the Upper West Side, but we haven’t recognized how dramatically bad it is,” Duhaime said. “There was more aggressive driving and instances of aggressive driving on this corridor.”

Like other pedestrian safety initiatives, this one aims to protect those most vulnerable to aggressive driving: seniors and school children.

Julie Margolies, a parent of three with two children at the Studio School on West 95th Street, said pedestrian safety in the area has been a consistent problem.

“I think individuals have tried over the years—individual schools, individual parents—to be heard on this issue,” Margolies said. “It’s great that schools are getting involved because they have teams of parents behind them. Not everyone knows the Byzantine system of local city government.”

The recommendations will eventually be presented to the Department of Transportation after administrators from partner schools and community board members add their ideas as well. Many of the pedestrian safety measures recommended will be relatively simple and low-cost, Duhaime said. Some of the changes the group is seeking include signals that let pedestrians cross the street before cars can turn into the lane, and removing parking spots close to intersections so pedestrians can see around corners.

Crossing guards help, said Amy Winarsky, a parent of a child at P.S. 75, on West End Avenue and West 96th Street. But children who stay after school or who go to weekend events are at risk.

“It’s the children that are responsible for crossing safely when in fact it should be the adults responsible for driving safely,” Winarsky said. “Unless [the city builds] in systems that govern the cars, they’re at risk.”

As a veteran public transit activist and critic who is especially focused on buses, I have qualms about the “select bus” plan for First and Second avenues, as seen in various diagrams displayed by the MTA in the temple’s auditorium. Might all special project funds go instead to help reduce drastic cuts in existing subway and bus service? The hoped-for select bus’s “speedier ride” worries this crusader for safety first. So do designated street lanes for bus riders and cyclists. Will lanes be observed? Will cyclists stop for the light? Stores lament being cut off from curb access. And what about First and Second avenues’ washboard surface conditions, especially for speedier buses, which also have street level doors?

The MTA representatives there didn’t know if the new model of articulated bus will have a quieter climate control system and kneeling step alarm than current models. They didn’t know such toxic conditions have plagued riders and drivers for 11 years, or that some horns are way too loud, and some lighting excessive. Nor did they know whether the new model’s heating and cooling systems would finally be controlled. Like Jean Arthur wryly mused in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, “It’s kind of a curse to be so wised up!”

The providential aspect to this event was finding an invaluable intergenerational action-oriented Passover message on the temple’s information table. Part of a flyer describing a service for “tots,” siblings, grandparents, mothers and fathers also included a mini-sermon with universal application in the prevention of human suffering—yes, in seemingly small matters like the unhealthy, uncomfortable and unsafe bus ride.

“How does God make things happen? With little hands, and big hands. With young hands and old hands. With your hands,” the flyer said.

We must remember this!

Let’s include middle-sized/middle-aged hands. Too often, believers feel praying for someone or something is sufficient. Using our hands to make things happen means using our voices and our pens. The noisy bus might have been quieted had initial protests continued. Does select bus service concern you? The West Side may be next. Make your voice heard on a public level, as in letters to the editor and to me. Sure, it also helps to contact elected officials, civic groups, the MTA and the New York City Department of Transportation’s outreach coordinator for bus rapid transit, Kate Mikuliak, at 212-839-6429 or kmikuliak@dot.nyc.gov.

Also check www.nyc.gov/brt.

But again, most policymakers, including journalists, transit advocacy groups and bloggers, know little about the bus experience because they only take the subway.

Attention must be paid! And yes, to safe traveling conditions for pedestrians who observe traffic laws and bring only themselves into this high-density city. Just a few examples of what all-age hands can do to help bring about a life, health and planet-saving world. Justice would be better served, too. The possibilities are endless when all-age prayers are followed by action whenever possible, not only at Passover and Easter time. 

dewingbetter@aol.com

The Columbus/Amsterdam Business Improvement District (BID) is close to getting the avenue approved for the city’s “Weekend Walks” program.

If the mayor’s Street Activity Permit Office approves the plan, Upper West Siders will be able to stroll down the middle of Amsterdam Avenue, between West 106th and 110th streets, on three consecutive Sundays: May 9, 16 and 23. People could sample food from local restaurants, shop at small businesses in the area and discover neighborhood organizations and service providers. There are also plans to have music performances and art displays during the day.

“It’s going to be a chance for a community celebration and community education,” said Peter Arndtsen, the BID’s district manager. “We hope to bring people together and let people know about organizations that exist in the neighborhood and how to get involved in them.”

The plan has already received support from Community Board 7, the Department of Transportation and the 24th precinct, Arndtsen said.

Bunny Abraham
Central Park West

Letters have been edited for clarity, style and brevity.