DOT thinks they know best

From the Times Newsweekly:

Most of the concern raised over the proposed bike routes centered on a narrow, nearly quarter-mile stretch of Eliot Avenue between Mount Olivet Crescent and 67th Street (sandwiched between Mount Olivet and All Faiths cemeteries).

Kristina Schmidt stated sharrows would be painted in the center of each lane to encourage bicyclists and drivers to safely share the road, but some in attendance suggested that would be impossible given the narrow nature of the roadway.

“That is dangerous to walk, it’s dangerous to drive,” said Robert Holden, Board 5 member. “You have no place to go. It’s a long stretch, and it’s hilly. If a bus is coming in the other direction, it’s narrow to begin with.”

Holden advised that the bike route should instead run along Metropolitan Avenue between Himrod/Harman Streets and 69th Street, then along 69th Street to Eliot Avenue. The DCP has proposed adding 69th Street and a portion of Metropolitan Avenue between 69th Street and the Metropolitan Avenue M train station to the bike route network in the second phase.

“Metropolitan Avenue and 69th Street is a much safer route,” he added, stating the section of Eliot Avenue between the cemeteries “is an accident waiting to happen.”

Public Transit Committee Co-Chair John Maier, however, stated bicyclists are riding through the narrow segment of Eliot Avenue presently, and that establishing the road as a bike route would help make drivers more aware and, thus, more careful.

“They’re already using it, and all you’re doing is really trying to make it more aware that everybody’s got a right to the road,” Maier said. “You’re trying to discourage them (bicyclists) from being on the sidewalk, making it less safe for pedestrians, and making them do the right thing by riding in the road.”

Two committee members who stated they were regular bicyclists— Mike Fordunski and Donald Passantino—indicated they found the narrow portion of Eliot Avenue too dangerous through which to ride.

“I’d rather go down Grand and Metropolitan avenues,” Passantino said.

I've been down Eliot frequently. I can tell you this: the few bicyclists that I've seen go that way use the sidewalk. And quite frankly, I can't blame them. Take a look at the above photo. The road is only one lane wide on each side, and there is only a sidewalk on one side, which actually has bollards in the middle of the curved section, making it inaccessible to wheelchairs. But why should DOT listen to a sensible alternative? What the hell do community board members know? And if you don't like their take, then chew on this...

I asked a bicyclist named Dave that I was in contact with to tour the area back in 2011. This is the report he sent me:

"After taking Eliot through the cemetery I had a little chat with someone from TA about that "proposed" route, which was nothing short of deadly (not to mention a HUGE hill). He said that it wasn't suggested to use those roads now and that future use would depend on design studies. There is no design in the world that will make Eliot safe through the cemetery though. The road is too narrow for cars as it is, and the "sidewalk" must be two feet wide.

Eliot to 69th to Grand isn't bad though."

So members of CB5 say it isn't a good idea, local bicyclists think it's a bad idea, Transportation Alternatives thinks it isn't a good idea, and common sense would lead one to believe that it's insane. But DOT knows better than all of them.