Letters

Phone Number Correction
Dear T.A.,
Thanks for highlighting the activities of TIME'S UP! in your spring issue. All your readers are welcome to participate in our rides and events, which are free and open to everyone. To that end, we'd like to correct a typo in the article: Our phone number is 212-802-8222. A description of upcoming events can be found at www.times-up.org or by giving us a call. Ride safe.
TIME'S UP!
NYC

Help When You Need It
Dear T.A.,
I'd like to commend cyclist Kevin Grant and the offices of T.A. for helping me after a city bus struck me.
The bus ran a red light on Bowery and Grand and hit my shoulder. I couldn't find a police officer and the bus driver would not give me his operator number. Then Kevin Grant, a complete stranger, rode by. All I had to say was: "Hey, have you seen a cop anywhere?" and he became the James Bond of the bicycle world. Kevin called the police from his cell phone, asked if I was okay, reassured the upset bus passengers, and, as if this weren't enough, put himself and his bike in front of the bus after the driver backed up and knocked over my bicycle. Kevin left when the police arrived, giving me his phone number and nothing else. I thank him now as a Good Samaritan cyclist on the street. I hope no one ever needs help like that, but it's good to know we're all out there together.
After the accident I called T.A., and you calmed me with the reassuring, "You did everything right." It's great to know that T.A. is a strong legislative voice speaking for all alternative transportation folks, and is warmly there for us in hectic times.
Enclosed in my purchase of a two-year T.A. membership for Kevin.
Laura D.
Manhattan

Dodging Double Parking At 80
Dear T.A.,
I just celebrated my 80th birthday and have been using a bicycle as my means of transportation in New York City for more than 50 years.
In my opinion, the City has become less and less friendly to bicycles over the years, despite the gains T.A. has made in bike paths and car-free hours in the parks.
At least once a week I come close to being nicked by an automobile, if not actually hit by one. Each time a car comes that close to me I become frightened and ride on the sidewalk, which is illegal. I would like to comply with the law but the double parking makes it virtually impossible to bicycle with any degree of safety on the Upper West Side where I live.
Please propose that something be done about double parking. Otherwise this city is not safe for bicyclists.
Thank you,
Alice K. Ladas
Manhattan
Ed: First off, congratulations on your amazing accomplishment. 50 years! Wow. Double parking is a huge problem for cyclists. Its root cause is the free parking, which allows parking hogs to monopolize scarce curb space. A rational transportation policy would meter all parking on arterial streets 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, as well as meter parking on side streets in Manhattan south of 110th street and those streets surrounding major retail centers citywide.

Audible Signals Make Crossing Possible
Dear T.A.,
Since September 2000, I have been working with (T.A. Campaign Coordinator) Neel Scott to get audible crossing signals installed at two intersections of my neighborhood in Bellerose, Queens.
I am totally blind and travel with a seeing-eye dog. Due to the volume of traffic, quiet cars and turning traffic at the intersections, it is difficult to discern when I have the light in my favor in these two intersections.
With the support of T.A., politicians in my neighborhood and the Department of Transportation, the two audible signals have been installed one week ahead of schedule.
The audible crossing signals enable me and others to travel with more confidence and safety in my neighborhood.
Thank your for your involvement. It is a pleasure to work with people who are so informative and helpful.
Linda Paul
Queens