T.A. Poll: Traffic in Neighborhoods

Landmarks Approves DOT’s Chain Link Fences on QBB Path

On March 2, 2004, the NYC Landmarks Preservation Commission approved the DOT’s plan to build a seven-foot tall chain link fence along the entire length of the Queensboro Bridge bicycling and walking path. The Landmarks Preservation Commission’s decision is suspect given that it approved the removal of the chain link fence around Central Park’s reservoir in November 2003 using reasoning contradictory to its misguided decision about fencing in the bridge path.

T.A. led a two year campaign to stop the DOT from fencing in this city and Federal landmark, including 400 plus faxes from E-Bulletin readers to the Landmarks Commission. A seven-foot tall fence on the Queensboro’s bicycling and walking path will pen in and discourage path users while marring the beautiful vista. Transit and transportation planners long ago established that people are less likely to use unattractive and unpleasant facilities. In other words, the chain link fence on the Queensboro Bridge will reduce the number of people walking and biking across the bridge, which will create a less secure environment.

T.A. asked the DOT to demonstrate the need for the chain link fence but the agency was unable to produce any record of people regularly throwing items, including themselves, from the bridge. At the hearing, the DOT said that it obtained a letter from the U.S. Coast Guard stating that, without a seven-foot tall chain link fence, the path presented a condition of "clear and present danger."

During the hearing, Landmarks Commission member Roberta Gratz Brandes opined, "We're increasingly fencing and gating, all in the name of security, yet that doesn't make us feel any safer. There’s no stopping this truck-barreling train of unfortunate design."

DOT Fast Tracks Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming Funds
Installs Leading Pedestrian Intervals

In response to public outrage about a truck driver hitting and killing two young boys at 3rd Avenue and 9th Street in Lower Park Slope, Brooklyn, the DOT has advanced $4 million in funding for the Downtown Brooklyn Traffic Calming plan from Fiscal Year 2009 to Fiscal Year 2006. This means that the agency will build neckdowns for 3rd and 4th Avenue three years sooner than originally planned. The DOT has also accelerated funding for the reconstruction of Tillary Street near the Brooklyn Bridge, moving $8.2 million from Fiscal Year 2009 to Fiscal Year 2007. In addition, the DOT is installing lengthy, seven second Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) at 3rd Avenue and 9th Street; 3rd Avenue and Atlantic Avenues; 4th Avenue and 9th Street and 4th Avenue and Atlantic Avenue. LPIs are usually three seconds long.

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Letters

Safe Routes to School

What can be done to get my school involved with the New York City Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program?
Submitted Anonymously

T.A. Response: See www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/about/pr2004/pr04_30.html to check if your school is on the City Department of Transportation’s list of 135 priority schools in its Safe Routes to School program. If it is, write to DOT Commissioner Weinshall and ask that the DOT expedite the safety improvements for your school. If it is not, ask that the DOT study traffic and safety and make improvements around your school:

Commissioner Iris Weinshall
NYC Department of Transportation
40 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013

Please copy the elected officials who cover your school. See www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/MyGovernment/NYC
/MyGovernmentNYC.asp?cmd=start to learn who represents you.

Time Warner Building Neglects Bicycling

I have a question that I hope you'll address in your e-newsletter. It concerns the new Time Warner building at Columbus Circle. This 53-story double-tower was built at a cost of approximately $1.8 billion. It contains 2.8 million square feet and hosts shops, restaurants, TV studios, condos, theaters, a health club and a corporate headquarters. It also contains built-in subway access and valet car parking. However, I have not been able to find any bike parking whatsoever, not even a sign pole on the curb outside the building. Is it true that bikes were completely neglected in this massive project?

I have written to the management of one of the largest retailers in the building and also requested a City Rack using the DOT's form. So far neither has responded. I am interested in pursuing this with regards to this particular building but also on the larger level, to make sure bikes are included in all grand plans being tossed around. Please help.

Sincerely, Hannah B.

T.A. Response: We have actually received a couple of complaints about this problem, and have had a brief conversation with the public relations people at the Time Warner building, who seemed mildly interested. We will write them a letter about this. It would be great if you did the same (you could probably use the same text you sent to the tenant).

The building’s proximity to Central Park, the Hudson River Greenway and the Broadway and Central Park West bike lanes make it an ideal cycling destination. And the proposed 8th Avenue bike lane would lead to the front door of the building (see www.transalt.org/press/magazine/034Fall/07eighth.html for more information). You can write to:

Paul Harnett, Manager
Time Warner Center
10 Columbus Circle
New York, NY 10019

Queensboro Bridge Chain Link Fence

I read the New York Sun March 3, 2004 article regarding "Queensboro Bridge to be fenced in" and am thoroughly opposed to the idea because

1. The view would be ruined for pedestrians and bicyclists,

2. The beautiful historic bridge will be further "vandalized,"

3. The fence will not make the waterway safer, as the Coast Guard believes. In this free society we can not protect ourselves from everything, and

4. It creates a slippery slope that leads to the fencing of the Brooklyn Bridge being more acceptable.

The other side issue is that the DOT barely has the money to maintain the bridge as it is. Installing an ugly, useless fence will increase maintenance costs (painting, repairs and cleaning expenses) as well as the potential of a legal suit because of a piece of broken chain link that cuts a passing biker. All in all, it’s a horrible idea.

Thank you and TA for all your hard work. Regards, Demetri G.

T.A. Response: Thanks for your note, Demetri. We agree with you 100%. I suggest you write a quick note to the NYC Department of Transportation about this. You could use much of what you wrote below. Write to:

Commissioner Iris Weinshall
NYC Department of Transportation
40 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013
Email: www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildot.html 

You can read more about T.A.’s Queensboro Bridge advocacy at www.transalt.org/bridges/queensboro.html.

Do Pedestrians Have the Legal Right of Way?

I live in Saratoga Springs, New York where motorists RARELY give pedestrians the right-of-way when the law says pedestrians do have the right-of-way. Pedestrian laws are NOT enforced by the police department here. Would you know where I can find the New York State law dealing with pedestrians crossing the street with a green light and/or a "Walk Sign" when present? Does the motorist have to wait for the pedestrian to cross the street before proceeding (much like the law, sec. 1151, which went into effect January 19, 2003)?

Kathryn M.

T.A. Response: Yes, motorists must wait for the pedestrian to cross the street. You can look up New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?cl=128. Pedestrians are addressed at www.assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?cl=128&a=51. Here is the pertinent section:

S 1151. Pedestrians' right of way in crosswalks. (a) When traffic-control signals are not in place or not in operation the driver of a vehicle shall yield the right of way, slowing down or stopping if need be to so yield, to a pedestrian crossing the roadway within a crosswalk on the roadway upon which the vehicle is traveling, except that any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overpass has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles. (b) No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield. (c) Whenever any vehicle is stopped at a marked crosswalk or at any unmarked crosswalk at an intersection to permit a pedestrian to cross the roadway, the driver of any other vehicle approaching from the rear shall not overtake and pass such stopped vehicle.

S 1151-a. Pedestrians' right of way on sidewalks. The driver of a vehicle emerging from or entering an alleyway, building, private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to any pedestrian approaching on any sidewalk extending across such alleyway, building entrance, road or driveway.

S 1152. Crossing at other than crosswalks. (a) Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (b) Any pedestrian crossing a roadway at a point where a pedestrian tunnel or overhead pedestrian crossing has been provided shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway. (c) No pedestrian shall cross a roadway intersection diagonally unless authorized by official traffic-control devices; and, when authorized to cross diagonally, pedestrians shall cross only in accordance with the official traffic-control devices pertaining to such crossing movements.

T.A. has many volunteer opportunities.  Please visit our site to learn more about how you can help.  Come to the Volunteer Magazine Mailing Party on Wednesday, March 31st at 6 pm at the T.A. Office (115 West 30th, #1207)! Free beer, soda, snacks and scintillating conversation. 

Saturday, April 3, 7:40 am. New Improved Sandy Hook Walk. By commuter statues at N. wing of PABT at 40th St. & 8th Ave. Shorewalkers.

Saturday, April 3, 8:30 am. Montauk Century Training Ride #8, Centre Island. Cunningham Park. 5BBC.

Saturday, April 3, 9:30 am. Rail-Trail to the End of the Line. Van Cortlandt Park, West 242nd St & Broadway, Bronx. 5BBC.

Saturday, April 3, 11 am. Hartshorne Woods. Navesink Ave. parking lot at Hartshorne Woods in Atlantic Highlands, N.J. Fast & Fabulous.

Sunday, April 4, 8:30 am. Montauk Century Training Ride #9 -- Rockland Lake. Plaza Hotel. 5BBC.

Sunday, April 4, 9 am. Bronx River Trail. Grand Central Station info booth. Shorewalkers.

Sunday, April 4, 9 am. Montauk Metric Training Ride #1 -- Hackensack. GW Bridge Bus Terminal. 5BBC.

Sunday, April 4, 11:15 am. Tibetan Museum. Staten Island Ferry, Manhattan Side. Fast & Fabulous.

Tuesday, April 6, 10 am. TBA. Central Park Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclist in NYC.

Thursday, April 8, 10 am. TBA. Central Park Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclist in NYC.

Saturday, April 10, 8 am. Montauk Century Training Ride #10 -- Sunken Meadow. Cunningham Park. 5BBC.

Saturday, April 10, 9 am. Spring in Sing Sing. Central Park Boathouse. Fast & Fabulous.

Saturday, April 10, 10 am. Jersey Cliffs Above the Hudson. Across Street from Hoboken PATH terminal. Shorewalkers.

Sunday, April 11, 10 pm. South South Bronx People's Environmental Bike Tour. SOBRO Venture Center, East 138th Street and 3rd Ave. Time's Up!

Tuesday, April 13, 10 am. TBA. Central Park Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclist in NYC.