EVG contributor Stacie Joy noticed the arrival of a new leaning bar at the M9 stop on Avenue C and Sixth Street...
These have been in circulation citywide, dating to at least 2016. Per the MTA, "Leaning bars offer a place to rest at bus stops while accommodating people who have difficulty sitting and standing up from a lower bench."
We are trying to remember seeing any other leaning bars around the neighborhood. (They were
promised with the new M14 SBS service.)
As
Bloomberg noted in 2017 when they arrived at a few subway stations: "some New Yorkers saw the bar as the latest salvo in what could be called the 'War on Sitting.'"
Using myself as a template: if you're on the short side, the leaning bars are useless.
ReplyDeleteThis is about keeping people moving along. Regardless of comfort.
ReplyDeleteI prefer a fainting sofa myself...
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely transparent goal: prevent homeless people from sleeping or sitting. I don't mind leaning bars as a concept in tight spaces (as on a busy sidewalk), but when you also see benches disappearing (as in the subways), the real goal is clear.
ReplyDeleteI have to hate the amount of graffiti pilling up on actual painted art work like the one in this photo... Taggers are just the worst, that alphabet under it was such a staple of the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteMy first thought is that these will be stolen and sold for scrap metal. ( living in NYC my whole life has truly tainted and tarnished me )
ReplyDeleteSitting is unhealthy.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, this is the cities solution to the ever-increasing problem of homelessness in which public seating areas in most public spaces like city parks and bus stops are taken over by the homeless with all their bags of personal belongings. I see it all over the city where benches are gradually being replaced so homeless will not take them over. It is a sad state of our times.
ReplyDeleteHostile architecture. This is not "accommodating" anyone. Just wait until they remove the actual bench.
ReplyDeleteThere's still a bench under the bus shelter... it wasn't replaced by the leaning bar...
ReplyDeleteNo housing for the homeless. Instead, leaning at bus stops. Pathetic.
ReplyDeleteSkateboarder’s are gonna love this.
ReplyDeleteBecause people who can't afford Uber don't deserve to sit down
ReplyDeleteIt's actually a lean-to structure designed by a City engineer to provide temporary housing for rough sleepers. Bring your own plastic covering. The City's not made of money.
ReplyDeleteThey are pigeon spikes for people.
ReplyDeleteSurprised there aren't ads posted on each rectangle. City ad revenue!
ReplyDeleteI wonder how many will chain their bikes to these.
ReplyDeleteThis is appalling. Hostile architecture indeed. No thought given to those who need to take a rest whether they are seniors, infirm or recovering from covid. A place to rest when out and about for many people improves quality of life, enabling them to run errands easily when they know there is a place to sit down on their route.
ReplyDeleteHey look, there's a shiny penny on the ground, let's come here and complain about it.
ReplyDelete