Saturday, November 2, 2019

Bike lanes uber alles




NY Daily News


Hundreds of miles of new bike lanes, bus lanes and pedestrian plazas are on the way to New York City thanks to a new law that’s set to be passed by the City Council.

Council Speaker Corey Johnson on Tuesday said his legislation to form a “master plan” for city streets has the support of the majority of the chamber, as well as Mayor de Blasio.

The law will require the city Department of Transportation to implement 150 miles of new bus lanes, 250 miles of new protected bike lanes and thousands of pedestrian-oriented spaces over a five-year span beginning in 2022.

“For decades, New York has prioritized the movement and storage of vehicles over the safety and possibility of its residents,” said Danny Harris, executive director of street safety advocacy group Transportation Alternatives. “The streets master plan will usher in a new era of opportunity for New Yorkers”

The bill passed unanimously by the Council Transportation Committee Tuesday, and is expected to be approved by the whole chamber on Wednesday.

 Johnson introduced the bill in May, and has given it several tweaks since. The law now requires the DOT to form its “master plan” to hit the aggressive benchmarks by December 2021 instead of 2020. The delay pushes the plan’s due date to the very end of de Blasio’s final term as mayor.

“It was pushed back because… what we are going to do with this legislation is totally reshape the Department of Transportation, totally reorient the Department of Transportation,” Johnson said Tuesday. “They’re going to have to hire more staff, they’re going to have to build whole new facilities."

PIX News\


The bill that passed Wednesday creates a master plan for city streets. It comes in the wake of 25 cyclist deaths so far in 2019. There was also a serious and potentially fatal bike versus car incident in Brooklyn the same morning the bill passed. (Link here)

The master plan bill will cost $1.7 Billion. It requires the Department of Transportation to come up with a five-year master plan by the end of 2021. The plan must include:
  • 150 miles of protected bus lanes
  • 250 miles of protected bike lanes
  • 500 bus stop upgrades
  • 2,000 intersection redesigns
  • An overhaul policies relating to pedestrian signals, commercial loading and deliveries, along with parking policies

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

If they city is going to keep coddling bikers with lanes and safety, bikes need to be licensed, registered and insured so they can contribute tax money to the upkeep of this nonsense. With licensing and registration we can also ticket them for red light camera violations via DumBlasio's Vision Zero. You want to use so much of the road meant for cars, be treated like a car.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Said: "bikes need to be licensed, registered and insured so they can contribute tax money to the upkeep of this nonsense."

Totally Agree but it Doesn't go far enough,14 year old (That's the age when you're legally REQUIRED to ride in the street) riders should be required to pass a written test and a road test.

Anonymous said...

I completely agree, great comment.

Anonymous said...

Please Stop with the Bike fees/licensed/insured BS you always post this Shite.
We pay way too much in taxes here in NYS!
Do you really think your taxes will go down by taxing my bike ?

Anonymous said...

Johnson is a wacko, just as bad as Bozo, they both need to be gotten rid of, they are single handily destroying the city and push through whatever master plans they have despite community input, feasibility or expense. Get out this week and start voting Rep. in city elections, it's our only chance to bring back sanity to NYC and I am a Democrat voter saying this, so that shows just how wacky the city has gotten. Crappy you should do a piece on the new ban of foie gras, more wacko policies!

Anonymous said...

Right, because riding a 30 lb bicycle should be treated exactly the same as driving a 4.000lb vehicle. Morons.

Anonymous said...

If bikers want safety, then they will have to abide by traffic laws and wear safety gear too. Or is it not safety that they want? Is this all some kind of Social Justice thing for them?? I think that’s what it’s truly all about. Nothing else .

Geoff said...

And if the bike lanes on any street are found to be under utilized, they should be removed and returned to car lanes, such as Queens Blvd

georgetheatheist said...

Questions: If there is a bike lane - protected or non - must the cyclist use it? And what is the legality of a bicycle-motor vehicle crash if the cyclist is not in the designated lane? Can the motorist argue that the cyclist was then at fault by not using the lane? How far to the left does the unprotected bike lane legally extend into the questionable "shared" roadway? Et cetera with the legalities.

Anonymous said...

Anonymous Said: "Do you really think your taxes will go down by taxing my bike ?"

No but it just might encourage people to ride safer if they realize there are consequences for violating the rules of the road.BTW no one ever said there would be a reduction in taxes if Bicycle regulations were put in place. What is the problem with Bicyclists being accountable just like motorists are?

Anonymous said...

DiBozo and Johnson are both carpetbaggers from Boston. Bostonians must be so glad not to have them and their so called “progressive” rules and regulations strangling our quality of life.

J said...

LOL at the pathetic boomers whose takeaway from this story is calling for licensing on bikes. Maybe you fat slobs should stop running red lights, double parking, speeding and polluting before passing even more pointless laws to hassle people trying to have a peaceful, safe trip on their bike. Imagine the bitching from these narcissistic morons when the line at the DMV triples. Like the fees will actually go to anything useful.

The far more disturbing aspect of this story is the quote near the bottom:
"what we are going to do with this legislation is totally reshape the Department of Transportation, totally reorient the Department of Transportation,” Johnson said Tuesday. “They’re going to have to hire more staff, they’re going to have to build whole new facilities."

The DOT barely functions as it is, do you really trust this vibrant and diverse coalition to expand it and make it work more effectively?

New York City is doomed, and if you believe voting for Republicans is going to save it, I've got some Bike Usage on Bridge fees to sell you.

Anonymous said...

Keep your hands off my bikes and out of my wallet !

Anonymous said...

The typical striking anti bike comments here on Queens Crap are remarkable and sound so ignorant !

Anonymous said...

"Please Stop with the Bike fees/licensed/insured BS you always post this Shite.
We pay way too much in taxes here in NYS!
Do you really think your taxes will go down by taxing my bike ?"

You are right we pay too much here in NY. We need to reduce the costs. I too am tired of paying taxes on my gasoline, car repairs, ridiculously high insurance, tolls, and parking to sit on roadways where lane capacity and parking spaces has been reduced for bicycle lanes.

We need to reduce some of the cost burdens from drivers and place it on the bicyclists who are using the roadway for free. Bicyclists should have to pay for the infrastructure they are using just like drivers. If they get a free ride and complain that they should not be taxed for its use, then how is it fair to tax drivers for it? Then under this argument, it should be free for ALL. No fees for anyone.

Motorists are paying for the miles of green paint on bicycle lanes, the pavement markings for the bicycle lanes, the signs that relate to the bicycle lanes, the bicycle lane traffic lights (that they ignore anyways), the extra sanitation equipment that is now required to plow the protected bicycle lanes, on top of other costs not mentioned to keep the bicycle lanes in operation. I'm sorry but if you want your own lanes, then pay a part of the maintenance and construction for your own lanes, or you shouldn't have them.

Anonymous said...

"Right, because riding a 30 lb bicycle should be treated exactly the same as driving a 4.000lb vehicle. Morons."

The problem is that when that 30 lb bicycle runs a red light in front of the 4,000 lb vehicle driving legally, and the bicyclist dies. Then the few thousand bike activists of the city don't rightly blame the bicyclist as being wrong, and chalk it up to being an accident (they flip out if you say accident, they act like it is an act of intentional murder). No, they have to go out, protest, and say that bicyclists are being slaughtered and we need to put protected bicycle lanes on every block and take away the driving lanes and parking lanes to do so.

In the outer boros a few of these these bike clowns rally for bike lanes, they get them, and then we all are stuck with them. Only a few bikes use them on a perfect 70 degree day. They are just a complete waste of space all other times. People who have to drive to get groceries for their families, drive to 2 jobs just to pay the bills, or take a sick family member to the doctor are stuck in more traffic, and can not find parking, as these lanes sit unused.

I'm sorry, I'm not hopping on a bike to go ten miles each way to work everyday, or to pick up groceries, or kids from school. I'm not doing it on a nice sunny day, and I'm definitely not doing it on a cold 32 degree day with sleet. We need to understand that most people, especially in the outer boros, (especially Queens, since this is Queens Crap!) are not going to do that either.

Anonymous said...

The problem here is not the coddled bikers just as the problem in over-development is not the developers.

The problem is your behavior around your elected officials. Its perfectly fine, indeed, good government is only possible, if the public gets engaged in the political process. Express an opinion (politely but firmly) like you really mean it. Go ahead and disagree. To their face. You do not like bike lanes, tell them. And make sure their voting on issues is made wide spread. Their failure to introduce and push legislation YOU want is simply not acceptable - and let them know!

Afraid that you will be regarded as impolite if you disagreed with an elected is just plain stupid. Wise up people. If there is a problem its because YOU are not doing YOUR job to make it happen.

Anonymous said...

To the commenter asking about if a bicycle must use a bike lane. It is covered in section 4-12(p) of the NYC traffic rules. Bicycles must use a bicycle lane unless turning or going around a car or obstruction in the bicycle lane.

Though it is my experience that even with open bicycle lanes, they ride all over the place, and I really don't see this rule enforced. But in terms of legality, if there was an accident with a bicycle on a street with a bike lane, and the bicycle is out of it at the time of the accident, I think this section of law could be of use for determining fault.

Anonymous said...

With all the new options people have it's not just bicycles on the road.There are electric scooters,electric bikes, skateboards,hoverboards and don't forget roller skaters.As a seventy year old bicyclist and one who has peddled all over NYC,I'm finding bike lanes to be scary,some of these vehicles move very fast,faster than the average bicyclist could peddle.This is dangerous to the bicyclist and also to the drivers who has a hard time seeing someone driving a fast moving scooter many times without lights.Then there are always the one who likes to ride against the flow.Some of the motor scooters I see on the streets have license plates and some do not, very confusing.
On the news when a bicyclist dies it's big news but I am surprised more are not dying.So many bikers and others have no helmets and do the craziest things on the streets.We've all seen the guy pedaling with no hands,listening to his headphones while texting and blowing the red light.
I've driven cars,trucks and motorcycles all over this city for more than 50 years and you don't want to hit some of the potholes I've seen with those little scooter wheels,you gonna go flying.Helmets should be the law,our heads are like an egg shell but either way if you go down you are going to be hurting.More people will be heading to the emergency room.
As a driver a pedestrian and a bicyclist I am the most worried about other bikers and scooters not obeying traffic laws and that will require educating people and cracking down with fines just like with other vehicles.Whatever you do just try and be safe,one accident will surely ruin your day.

Anonymous said...

Tax them all. Vision Zero is Vision for North Korea. Or some commie paradise where comrades are equal and the dictator in charge rides in a large SUV protected by the police although they can be used as needed for various chores. Like butlers, movers etc.

And you voted these morons into office you progressive nutjobs. Congratulations, now go ride your bikes and start paying for those lanes just like everyone else on the road. Also get insurance and obey the traffic laws, point system to all. Register your bikes just like we register everything around here. Including dogs. When is other peoples' money is OK, now start paying for your fair share.

Anonymous said...

Cyclists are usually greasy millennial social justice climate warriors thinking they're making a difference as China opens three new coal mines a month. Whenever they hog the road or give me the finger as I pass, I blast the windshield wiper fluid.

georgetheatheist said...

I've yet to see ANY police enforcement of bicycle lane violations by EITHER the motorists or the cyclists.

In fact, 2 years ago in front of the Italian Charities building on Queens Boulevard from the intersection with Grand Avenue westward towards the new Georgia Diner NOT one parking space was available IN the newly-created bike lane! Bumper to bumper cars parked therein. WHY?

Because the NYPD Columbian Association of police officers was holding their meeting in the ICA building and some official or sotto voce "go-ahead" was issued by the brass that they could park there because of the limited-availability of area parking spaces. Previous to the bike lane, the Columbian Association law enforcement members parked for this meeting on the raised sidewalk median between the boulevard and the service road.

Now they - about 75 police officers - were given the ok to park there IN the more conveniently easily-accessible and rarely-used bike lane.

What the hell is going on?

georgetheatheist said...

Further on this Columbian Association of NYPD law-enforcement police officers parking blatantly in the bike lane in front of the Italian Charities building:

IF they had no room to park their vehicles in the immediate vicinity of the building, why couldn't they park elsewhere, even farther away, and take PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION to the building for their scheduled meeting? Or park farther away and then even RIDE BICYCLES to the meeting?

Why park in the bike lanes? . . . I think you all know the reason why, no?

Anonymous said...

"I blast the windshield wiper fluid."
You know Jerk you just admitted to committing a crime on the internet !
"Whenever they hog the road or give me the finger as I pass"
Tell me how they "Hog the Road" when the have a llegal right to it ?
Real tough Guy/Girl attacking a 30lb bike with your car/suv !
I hope you get caught soon before you hurt someone.

Anonymous said...

I love all these comment from Bicycle lane "Advocates" wah wah wah. They're being mean to me, they want me to pass a test and get a license and insurance wah wah

Grow up kids, if you want to commute to work on a toy that's a choice (And a bad one I might add) and it's up to you. Most of the accidents involving bicycles and Automobiles are the Bicyclists fault. How many times have you read the phrase "No charges were filed and the driver remained at the scene"? That's usually because the Automobile driver did nothing wrong. No go wash your face and get upstairs to bed.

TommyR said...

https://nypost.com/2019/11/02/nyc-school-zone-speed-cameras-ticket-1-million-motorists-in-3-months/

Anonymous said...

Anonymous said: "Tell me how they "Hog the Road" when the have a llegal right to it ? "

If you REALLY want to talk about legal rights, and I don't think you have a clue as top what you're talking about, driving, riding etc is a privilege not a "Right".

Anonymous said...

I notice one thing that's no on that list is more parking spaces. If you don't live in a subway neighborhood and you're not able to bike, kiss your freedom of movement goodbye.

Anonymous said...

"You know Jerk you just admitted to committing a crime on the internet !"

Your whole existence is a crime, nutjob!

Anonymous said...

"I notice one thing that's no on that list is more parking spaces"

Educate yourself please! The nutjobs are nutjobs, remember communism was sustained by a lot of people. So was Hitler.

Here is the deal - is called Agenda 21:

https://grist.org/politics/paranoia-strikes-deep-gop-exposes-dangerous-u-n-sustainability-plot/

"WHEREAS, this United Nations Agenda 21 plan of radical so-called “sustainable development” views the American way of life of private property ownership, single family homes, private car ownership and individual travel choices, and privately owned farms; all as destructive to the environment …"

Pretty clear now isn't it? These are fucking communists, they like to be in charge and the rest can be slaves. Is not a conspiracy, is not fringe, here is the whole shit on the UN site:

https://www.un.org/esa/dsd/agenda21/

Anonymous said...

"I don't think you have a clue as top what you're talking about, driving, riding etc is a privilege not a "Right". "

Absolutely correct. Is a privilege not a right. Free people have rights, serfs have privileges.

Anonymous said...

> https://nypost.com/2019/11/02/nyc-school-zone-speed-cameras-ticket-1-million-motorists-in-3-months/

How can anyone read this article and not be outraged?

All the top ticketed places in Queens are wide, open, safe roadways designed for 40mph+ driving, which now have 25mph speed limits imposed on them, not for safety, but soley to drain our pocketbooks for money to be spent in already overserved Manhattan.

The cameras operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays whether school is open or not. They don’t have to be placed in front of a school, either. They can be within a quarter-mile radius.

It's impossible to even pretend this is some school safety measure, as if high schoolers will run into traffic the minute they're unsupervised. This is as much the fault of the state as it is the city; this is a state-level law, after all. If your representative or state senator voted for it, be sure to thank them by kicked them out of office next year. This issue is the litmus test; this issue shows which politicians are willing to screw over our borough in favor of rich hipsters.


>s a privilege not a right. Free people have rights, serfs have privileges.
I hate to agree with a cyclist, but he's correct. Driving isn't a right. Free Speech is a right. Property ownership is a right. Driving is not a right. Which is why we have to be active, and vote anti-transport politicians out of office.

Anonymous said...

The left hates cars almost as much as it hates guns. Nevertheless, the fascist left marches on and Corey Johnson is the next dear leader. Just when you thought no one could be worse than DiBlasio lol

Anonymous said...

" hate to agree with a cyclist, but he's correct. Driving isn't a right."

OK, lets try this again, this time try to comprehend:

"I don't think you have a clue as top what you're talking about, driving, riding etc is a privilege not a "Right". "

Absolutely correct. Is a privilege not a right. Free people have rights, serfs have privileges.


"Driving isn't a right. Free Speech is a right. Property ownership is a right."

Again, nothing is a right. Including free speech. Try to get married. You need a license. Want a drive? Need a license. Property ownership a right? Try not paying your ever increasing taxes to the corrupt system and you'll find out who really owns your house.

So one more time, free people have rights, serfs have privileges.







Anonymous said...

>says free speech isn't a right
>somehow thinks marriage licenses are an impediment on free speech