Yeah, that's uncool. If it says to dismount, you should dismount... otherwise, all you're doing is proving all the people who hate cyclists right.

does anyone know the fee for getting busted riding a bike on the sidewalk. I was busted last weekend. the cop was heavy handed but I cooperated. I mean I was quilty. I hate to play the race card, but I am black, I think it was a pre-text. They ran my Driver's License thru the system and tried to be really intimidating..anyway, I'm not gonna go there..how much do you think the Mayor's gonna pinch me for?

Ugh, it's cyclists like that who give bikers a bad name. I jog in that area and I can't stand it when cyclists don't dismount. I'm always careful to watch out for bikes, but when it says to dismount, I let my guard down and almost get run over.

@chris lee - I'm pretty sure the cops do stop black cyclists where they wouldn't stop white/latin/asian. At least that's what it seems like on the UWS.

Why don't people just not hit each other on purpose? It seems like the pedestrian getting whacked and complaining is what made this an issue.

Pre 911 that area was a pedestrian nightmare because it was so old and much too crowded, now it's like playing Frogger.

Walking west from Bway to get to World Fi requires squeezing through 2 blocks of scaffolding that is not big enough for anyone larger than a size 4, hoping cars realize that painted line is actually signifying a 'curb' as you cross the WSH, crossing guards who cross both cars, peds and bikers against the light and a pedestrian bridge that's actually a 'Moby Dick High Seas Sailing Simulator' because it is swaying off the moorings.

If ever a place could use a bit of urban planning, it's Manhattan below City Hall.

The bridges are even worse. With people flying down them on their bikes, my friend got hit by a cyclist he was on a bike as well and broke his collar bone. No one really cares about anyone else except for themselves.

A big major issue for cyclists right now is the creation of unenforced bike lanes. Think about it. You see a car driver in the road. The road is missing a lane or two of it's previous thoroughfare splendor, taken over by a bike lane that too few seem to enjoy. Outside a bodega in the distance, there's a car parked in the bike lane. And there's a cyclist rapidly approaching said car.

By their right, the cyclist looks for a gap in the traffic and enters the main lane of traffic, slowing the car down because now the driver has to wait for the cyclist to go around the car that illegally blocks their lane.

So what do you do? Here's what most NYC motorists do:

1) They lay on the horn because those damn cyclists already took a good and valuable lane from them (and heavens, now they are using the lane designated for car traffic!) It often doesn't matter that the stop light a quarter-block away is red and they will be stopped for at least a minute at it, THEY NEED TO HURRY UP AND GET TO THE RED LIGHT NOW!

2) Or they try to squeeze through at high speed, and if they are lucky, they don't make hamburger out of the cyclist.

3) Or both of the above, laying on the horn, causing the cyclist further instability in said death match, coming that much closer to a muscle twitch that causes a cascade of ambulance calls, police reports, hospital stays, court time and insurance settlements.

This seems rather unrelated, to the current article, but it's not. More bike lanes mean it's easier for cyclists to safely get where they are going. The reality is cyclists are going to take the shortest path between two points. It's Just Not Going To Change. But it's also true that for two paths that take equal time, the one that has less turmoil will always be chosen by a cyclist. Riding slowly without falling over is hard for less experienced cyclists, so if they have a path that they don't have to ride at walking speed and risk falling on their face, they will take it, even if the distance is longer.

More bike lanes cause cyclists to avoid walking paths, first time, every time.

Once people try riding for more than a few days, they get hooked. It's a great way to get around, and it improves life quality in cities as people save the money they used to spend on motor fuels, insurance and parking and start spending it in their neighborhoods. Cars are always available when absolutely needed from groups such as ZipCar. Ignoring those focused entirely on themselves, everyone wins!

MORE BIKE LANES NOW!

I ride fast, when I can. I call out, "on your left or heads up!" Pedestrians ignore me. Cyclists either listen, turn left into me, or jump and freeze, not moving to either side. Hordes of people have iPods and can't hear you.

So what good does it do to call out?

I avoid the bike path like the plague on weekends. More cyclists on the road, due to gas prices or whatever, means more people who don't know how to ride properly.

I ride year round. I want Winter back, now!

thefacts: I've pointed this out to you before, but you obviously didn't pay attention: courteous cyclists -- and they do exist -- don't become just another pedestrian when they dismount. Why? because unlike the average pedestrian, they are actually TUNED IN to what people on bikes are doing and what they have the right to.

When I'm not on my bike, I don't stand in the street (blocking the path of oncoming bikers)... if I choose to jaywalk, I look before I step out into the street (both ways, because I know there are bad cyclists who could be riding down the street the wrong way -- and I let them know it)... I could go on and on.

You are right on one count, though: discourteous cyclists ruin it for the rest of us, because no one will give cyclists respect until more folks start yielding to pedestrians when they have the right of way, etc.

Riders on the Pulaski bridge also don't feel the need to dismount despite the signs saying so. They then have the nerve to say, "excuuuuse meee!" In the zones that allow riding I'll happily stay on one side, but if you're riding in the restricted area you have no right to expect pedestrians to move.

Gwinny, with all respect, I believe you do practice courteous cycling and walking. Actually, many cyclists do. Many of my friends bike a lot and they share our disdain for the renegade or ditzy cyclists. Unfortunately, you are the minority, it seems to me.

However, honestly and truly, I get into more problems with cyclists than motorists, because drivers have more to lose (their license, higher insurance premiums, potential criminal charges for unlawful moves) than do cyclists.

Anyway, keep practicing your civilized behavior. Maybe it will catch on.

(Oh, sorry I said "people as well as bikers"! I mean "pedestrians as well as bikers!" Bikers are people too!)

BTW - where are people on xooters supposed to ride? I'm thinking of getting one.

What's wrong with people? Just put your heads together and come up with positive solutions for mutual problems. What is there is obviously inadequate. Complain to your local officials about the construction nuisance instead of complaining about bikes.

Bicycle Nazis.

I ride fast, when I can. I call out, "on your left or heads up!" Pedestrians ignore me. Cyclists either listen, turn left into me, or jump and freeze, not moving to either side. Hordes of people have iPods and can't hear you.

You're going too fast too close to pedestrians. Any time you have to warn them, it's not good. As for cyclists, they're not supposed to move to either side. "On your left" means to be aware that someone is passing on the left, not a command to move over. Even most cyclists know that unless you're on a fast training ride outside the city, it's rude to shout "on your left." City streets are not for fast riding. You're not a bike messenger.

I've ridden through this walkway many times and I don't think I've ever seen anyone on a bike dismount. I often avoid it altogether by spending the extra 2 minutes to ride around the block, especially when I know there will be two-way foot and bike traffic. That pass is way too narrow for all of that activity. That said, I'd say most cyclists slow way down and weave their way through it without incident.

Cyclists never obey traffic rules.
Cyclists in New York City are NOT "green" or help the environment - sorry that distinction goes to the millions that travel the greatest public transportation system in the USA - another vehicle on the road (yes you are a vehicle and have the same laws as cars) causes harm to our Urban Environment.
Cycling in New York City should only be for sport and casual use or messengers - you show me a bike commuter I'll show you an egoistical moron that has no respect for their neighbors and doesn't have the slightest clue about my above statement.
Cyclists in New York City reap what they sow when they get injured.
This is all written by an avid fan of professional cycling and private sport cycling,
I ride on my weekend mornings in Yonkers.

As a transport bicyclist -- it's how I get from one place to another -- I have given up on the West Side bike path in the summer. It is virtually impassable due to walkers, runners, children (including toddlers), strollers, dogs, what have you. For some reason joggers are particularly addicted to bike paths and I've noticed them running in bike lanes even when a nearby sidewalk or pedestrian pathway is empty. The East Side bike path is equally useless for the same reasons, but not just in the summer -- year-'round.

The Pulaski Bridge walkway is too narrow for both pedestrians and cyclists given current levels of traffic; the speed limit on the bridge needs to be reduced and bike paths painted so that bicyclists can use the roadway. There is plenty of room. In general, cyclists and pedestrians should not be in the same spaces. While some bicyclists understand "on your right", etc., most pedestrians don't, and many of them move unpredictably. I always defer to them under all circumstances even if I have the green light or the right of way and have managed not to hit one in 61 years, in spite of the fact that they often step directly into my path regardless of lights, signs, or traffic conditions.

Riding on the sidewalk is not only dangerous for other people but it's dangerous for the rider as well. Motorists, who often can't see anything smaller than a car even when it's on the road, can't see what's on the sidewalk and may turn at corners or into driveways at high speed without warning and hit cyclists. They hit pedestrians this way all the time.

As far as safety goes, licensing bicyclists will have the same effect as licensing drivers: nil. It's just a scheme for raising money and employing more cops and bureaucrats.

Call me Captain Obvious... But how about writing some tickets for those who choose to disobey the rules?

@staryygordon
The Hudson River Park bike lane is clearly marked "Bicyles Only". The PEPs never attempt to enforce that.

grove: I don't understand what you your problem is. I'm not saying jaywalking is the best way to get around; quite the opposite, in fact, since as a cyclist I come across clueless jaywalkers all the time. I am merely saying that when I am a pedestrian, if I do choose to walk out into the street at a place other than the crosswalk -- and let's face it, who can honestly say that they never do that? -- I look both ways because I know that there may be bikes coming.

thefacts: I totally hear what you are saying, and thanks for the clarification.

haha spiritross - are you serious? are you real? i can't tell, cause that drivel is so hillarious and stereotypical of the babbling that weekend warrior tools from yonkers would spew forth. i'm thinking it might be satire, and if so bravo. if not, you're a tool, most of cyclists thinks folks like you are a joke.