[Photo via Michael Hirsch on Facebook]
As you may have noticed, workers have been replacing the bike lane buffers/pedestrian refugees along First Avenue ...
One reader heard from workers that the original contractors used cheap cement three years ago. So they hired new contractors to re-do the buffers that started cracking.
"Great moments in New York City wasted taxpayer money," said longtime resident Michael Hirsch.
Meanwhile, much to the chagrin of several residents, the reconstruction has killed off the small garden that they created and tended to at East Seventh Street these past three years...
... and the buffer garden at East Seventh Street in better days ...
Garden photos via EVG reader Raquel.
It does look like a crime scene!
ReplyDeleteIf I were mayor for a day, the bike lanes would be gone.
ReplyDeleteGood thing, Anon 9:11, that you'll never be mayor for a day then.
ReplyDeleteAnon. 9:11 - I'm with you. I'd include the pedestrian plazas as well.
ReplyDeleteSo brave, 9:11
ReplyDeleteWow, so much butthurt over street solutions that minimize the risk of injury to non-motorists... Some of you think you're so cool and old school, but all you are is just unreasonable, bitter people.
ReplyDeleteAs a pedestrian, I'm very pleased to have a shorter crossing across a major road where cars frequently speed, including to beat the light. I think I'll appreciate it even more when I get old and start to struggle with walking.
With that said, I do hope the little gardens grow back / are brought back.
As a pedestrian, I know darn well that bike lanes make walking across streets much less safe, because bikers are closer to me. If bikers obeyed traffic laws, it wouldn't be a problem, but the fact is that most of them don't. Like 99%. If we have to have bike lanes, at least make them outside the parking lanes, not inside them.
ReplyDeleteSurely we can count on getting the hi-grade stuff from these new contractors.
ReplyDeleteAnon 10:50;
ReplyDeleteYour gripes are irrational. The bike lane is what, maybe 5 feet wide? Wait at the curb, look both ways and I guarantee that you will never be at risk of getting hit by a bicycle. Not only do people which almost get hit by bicycles those who do not look, but they also fail to realize fortunately for them bicycles can menever and brake on a dime so it may only appear collision was imminent.
More importantly, the reduced crossing distances and reduction in moving lane width significantly enhance safety. The beautification is a nice bonus too.
The traffic calming improvements in NYC are undeniably popular. Most New Yorkers (which are pedestrians only ) support the safety improvements. Even smart drivers realize the benefits of improved traffic flow, less drivers, and at some point they will have to exit their cars.
The bike lanes should be outside the parking lines. It's odd to have a high-speed danger lane (yes, the cyclists are dangerous), then a parking lane with a little island for pedestrians, then more high-speed danger lanes. At least put all the high-speed lanes together. It's more aesthetic and less confusing. It also allows automobile drivers and passengers at least one side of access directly to the sidewalk, instead of stepping out either into car or cycle traffic.
ReplyDelete- East Villager
Good grief, 11:44, you really do lay it on thick.
ReplyDeleteAnon 11:44 Who do you work for? Bikes may be able to stop on a dime, but only if they feel like it. On my corner (6th & 1st Ave) they fly through the light after speeding thru the 5th St cross which they feel they do not have to yield at since there is no cross traffic because of Village View. I have HEARD bicyclists tell each other they do not have to stop at 5th St because there is no cross traffic! Until bike riders adhere to the rules of the road, pedestrians are not safe
ReplyDeleteThis blogs' comments section seem to clogged with a few folks who somehow are convinced the 1960s ("car through-put") was the golden era of urban transport planning. We've learned some things since then, and we can put them into effect to make our streets safer, more pleasant for us who live here.
ReplyDeleteAmen, 3:38!
ReplyDeleteBikes lanes and pedestrian plazas are SO 2013. Truly progressive cities have iPhone/Pod/Pad charging stations, self-serve fro-yo in a hoof kiosks and a new lanes for passed out drunks, all conveniently located in the gutter. Citi branded of course.
ReplyDelete"We've learned some things since then, and we can put them into effect to make our streets safer"
ReplyDelete90,000 bikes on streets does NOT equal safety,
90,000 bikes on streets, eh?
ReplyDeleteFrom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transportation_in_New_York_City
"Around 48% of New Yorkers own cars"
So that's, what, around 4,000,000 cars in the city? Wooooo!
Now that's what I call safety!
If you want to ride a bike everywhere move to Haiti.
ReplyDeleteThat's a garden? There's a crack in the sidewalk in front of my building where a bit of grass grows, but it's not a garden.
ReplyDeleteOh how fanatical the bike enthusiasts can be in their comments. So superior-sounding.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't care if their safety claims were more accurate.
Cyclists in this city pedal amok unfortunately; tearing through crosswalks/intersections against the light, riding on sidewalks, etc.
I've been injured by selfish cyclists twice recently (one of them while he was standing on his pedals waiting for the light to change; which was noble but he rolled back into me as I crossed with the light!).
The 48% figure is a complete lie, no doubt made up by some jerk who works for the city transportation Stalinist planning commission.
ReplyDeleteThe fact is that many bicyclists ride in an unsafe manner. Just stand at 1st Ave. and watch them fly through red lights.
If you want to drive a car everywhere, move to L.A.
ReplyDelete- East Villager
@ 10/29 7:59 am
ReplyDeleteuncool you
every bit of green is precious here
live AND learn