Big Changes Coming to Williamsburg Bridge Bike Path

It's scary walking up the north side (from Manhattan to Brooklyn) with bikes barreling down at 35 mph. I now understand why pedestrians use the other side. It made me wonder what would happen in a collision. Death?

This comment thread smells like dirty hair.

The old way was/is ridiculous. Who thought that system up? But with just 7 ft of walking space to accommodate both directions, how are tourists going to amble three a-breast?

CAPS LOCK: CRUISE CONTROL FOR COOL

There wil still be tools who insist on straddling the middle of the entire path.

I can tell you from many years of riding over that bridge that that almost all of the bikers observe the the lane directions and probably half of the the pedestrians don't observe the lane rules. I don't think changing the lanes around like this is going to change this at all.

CXB FOR MAYOR!!!

I think he did run for mayor. and it's interesting to see who the new NY'ers are because if you were around during the bad or good days you'll know who he is. yeah, I would love to go back to those days. no tacos and no kimchi.

Snoopy, I imagine that would be a sort of "breakdown lane"? Like, for tired bikers, or broken bikes to stop without impeding traffic?

Speaking of bike paths on bridges, I'd love to see an overhaul of the Pulaski Bridge's little path. That thing's narrow as hell.

That makes sense using it as a breakdown lane. It would have been better if it was in the middle creating a barrier between the two types of users of the pathway.

Apparently this is a matter of painting the lines differently. No one pays much attention to the lines anyway, except the Hasidim, who unlike many other residents of the city, can read. Regardless of where the lines are, we will still have to put up with oblivious pedestrians and their errant dogs and children, and too-cool bicyclists riding no-hands while chatting on their cell phones before zooming coolly into the very middle of Delancey Street traffic. (It's true they don't last very long but there are always more of them from fecund Peoria and Red Bluff.) The design of the pedestrian and bicycle paths on the Williamsburg Bridge should win some prize for Olympic-grade dumbness.

What is that 2 foot space on the left side of the proposed plan meant to do except narrow the available width of the passage way?

you dumb FUCK, you would hit the side pole if there was no room

Where might you see a side pole and why wouldn't the same thing happen in the present situation that uses that extra two feet, fart breath pansy?

I hope the new signs are in English as well as Hebrew.

WARNING! LOOK OUT FOR STICKUP KIDS! To all bikers on the Williamsburg Bridge. Last night at 1:30am on the south side ramp in Brooklyn, a group of teenagers had the place staked out trying to rob bikers cruising down the ramp. Using lights to signal one another, a friend and I narrowly escaped. The used a BMX bike to block the exit at the end of the ramp, but we managed to avert them. Keep yer eyes peeled.

seriously? I ride my bike over WB ALL the time, at all hours, and I've not heard of bike stick-ups since the bad old '80s. One way to combat this is to attend your the Williamsburg Precinct's community council meetings with officers and detectives and raise hell about the issue, if it's true. I haven't heard any reports about activity like this at all. Can you describe the incident in more detail?

Sign of the times .

This is awesome, but is it totally necessary to do this construction when traffic is significantly higher than normal levels? It seems like foresight and attention to present conditions are lacking.

i believe it. that's where I had my phone stolen a couple of years ago.

Why would anyone that's not drunk or crazy want to ride their bike over the bridge at 1:30 in the morning anyways? Are you asking for it?

Well, I was there at 4:30 PM not 1:30 AM. I was out for a walk in the sunshine. I don't know who's stupid enough to do that either. They are just asking for it. That's the spot I got my phone stolen at, but not the time.

In them olden days they were called Highway robbery.

I don't believe you!

Gothamist and all media said we have the FINEST police force and that crime is down 70%!!

Are you implying that Gothamist LIED to us all for the last decade??

Otherwise, you're implying that Gothamist and the govern-media LIED to us about COmpstat and Broken WIndows (b/c they still write lots of stoopid tickets, which THEY claim is what lowered all crime b/c "going after small offenses stops all BIG offenses"!!!!

If you are against gothamist, why are you on here?

B/c Gothamist WORKS FOR CITY HALL as most media outlets do.

And Gothamist misleads you on a daily basis, in order to help govt steal ALL your money and ruin your city.

Since I have free internet right now, I thought I'd try and teach some of you how to catch a fish (ie, see thru every lie by media) during this brief window of opportunity.

bloombergSCANDALS.blogspot.com

I prefer letting people think for themselves. Can't wait until your done with your free or probably stolen internet.

You sound like a right winger who said I was nuts about regulating the "free market".

Let me guess: you prefer to let the free market think for itself too!

It's not like it'll create a worldwide recession, right?

Why aren't right wingers (and even worse: left wingers who THINK they're "liberals") locked in psych wards, since no one disputes they're insane.

(EX: the right wing insisted for 100 years that tobacco was not bad for you! OOF!)

Separate paths doesn't seem to stop cyclists from using the south (pedestrian) path on the Manhattan Bridge. But on the flip side, it's not funny how many bike paths like the Brooklyn Bridge and the Hudson are clogged with pedestrians three or four abreast. Let's face it, there are a lot of selfish assholes both on foot and on two wheels who don't care about rules or consideration.

Agreed ! I can remember when I rode my bike over the williamsburg Bridge a couple of years ago, How many walker/joggers I had to navigate my way around . All because they were on the wrong side of the path and refused to follow the markings . Sadly, I did hit a few, (Nothing Serious) and that seemed to get the point across somewhat .

I can't believe my eyes. I logged on only to make the exact opposite comment. Do you ever take the Manhattan bridge? I do every single day, and there are always, always always a ton of peds on the north side, and never anyone on the south side (that i can see). Biggest waste of space. Please, meet me there any day, and we will count # of bikes and peds on each side. You couldn't be any more mistaken.

...there always seem to be oblivious pedestrians walking 2 or 3 abreast on the north side of the Manhattan Bridge.

I can't understand riding on the south side of the bridge since it's so much easier to get on and off the north side in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. Who are these numbskulls?

Every time I've ridden across the bridge, the entire path is usually blocked by a large, slow-moving Hasidic family with numerous strollers and kids running everywhere, ensuring that neither pedestrians nor bikers can easily/safely get by them.

And no, they don't move when you ring your bell.

Why do the Hasids hate everyone else so much? Seriously, I don't want to hit any of you, but between this and the bike lane removals in your neighborhood, you aren't really helping your cause!

That's because the Hasids own the bridge and you immodest Shiksa are flaunting Huha and they will not stand for it.

[author wonders if he should list MORE Williamsburg Bridge scandals, b/c there are too many sheep who will wonder why he only listed one... and author contemplates reminding people not only of the many crimes on the bridge but the MINOR fact that it's right next to the 7th Precinct, ergo, if criminals are unafraid to commit crimes right next to the "Finest" law enforcement agents on earth, WHERE ARE THEY AFRAID TO COMMIT CRIMES?? Author also considers listing the tens of thousands of crimes on the bridge with graffiti but then remembers than none of you understand that Rudy and Mike and the entire media said "graffiti = murder increases" --- a psychotic assumption they used to justify their ticket blitzes and fraudulent "broken windows" theories... but author realizes it will all go over your heads and some of you will just post more ad hominem insults of author b/c you work for tax hike mike and can't disprove any of author's points...]

CXB raises some interesting points re: Bloomberg.

Why is this mayor so schizoid regarding bikes?

On one hand, he's laying down bike lanes everywhere, on the other, he's supporting Atlantic Yards, erasing bike lanes, busting Critical Mass riders, and confiscating bikes because they might be 'moving pipe bombs'.

I think he has to punish those many consider "bad" bikers, in order to further his larger political goals.

By separating and punishing the "radicals" he gets more leeway for his bike lanes, which makes NYC a more international city, luring tourists and progressive urban-planning types who praise his forward-thinking plans. You'll remember that Bloomberg was feted in Copenhagen at this year's Climate Summit as a visionary leader who had transformed NYC into a bikers' paradise?

As a cyclist, I welcome the recent bike lane additions, but I'm also keeping a keen eye on the wily Bloomberg; he'll turn on whomever he has to, on a dime, for a vote.

And for all those who tell CXB he needs to chill out and smoke more weed, remarks like that utterly belie your "edgy rebel" status. Those who tune out in order to avoid facing reality are the assholes; hyper-aware people like CXB are documenting egregious abuses by those in power, and they should be vaunted, not mocked by sub-literate couch potatoes.

Why does everything have to be a "Fun Fact" With you ? What is that your Catch Phrase ?

I had this exact same idea while crossing it this weekend. And since all my ideas are good, I approve of this plan.

Sorry for all you Bloombag or NYPost-Times fans out there... my job is to EDUCATE an ignorant society in a (hopeless) attempt to improve the world.

FUN FACT:

everyone has forgotten Bloombag's Williamsburg Bridge scandals, right?

Let's bike down MEMORY LANE:

When Psycho Mike found out the new bikepath expansion joints were INJURING INNOCENT PEOPLE, he did what he always does: LIE TO COVER IT UP.

(Bizarrely, the expansion joints were these clumsy steel speed-bumps of a sort. Like reverse potholes. And many people were injured by them and tried to get Bloombag to care about citizens health. He REFUSED.)

THE BEST PART of this scandal were the HILARIOUS LIES Team Bloombag created to refuse to protect the health of the people they'd swore to serve:

"Uh, we need those expansion joints for when the bridge moves!"

Sounded reasonably to most sheeple, who possess few critical thinking faculties.

BUT WAIT!

Some cyclists pointed out a TINY FACT:

NO OTHER BRIDGE IN NYC --- most with Expansion Joints --- had joints that were DANGEROUS like the new Williamsburg Bridge joints!

BUT WAIT!

IT GETS EVEN MORE COMICAL:

No less than the BROOKLYN SIDE of the very same Williamsburg Bridge did not need the DANGEROUS version of the Expansion Joints --- instantly proving Team Bloombag had COMMITTED A FELONY OFFENSE, deceiving their bosses (the taxpayers).

IN THE END, Bloombag spent million$ of taxdollars to FIX his super-screwup AND had to pay million$ MORE to settle lawsuits because the psycho had injured a bunch of people.

THIS is another reason why NYC is bankrupt.

Rudy and MIke spent $500 MILLION every 12 months to settle lawsuits for their LAWLESSNESS, and 100% of media said there should be ZERO ACCOUNTABILITY.

And the entire media said "we should allow NO DISCUSSION of reforming any of this. We should talk about sports, weekend movie grosses, Tiger Woods' love life, and ANYTHING that ensures nothing ever ever improves in our Titanic city and nation."

AND SO IT WAS.

And everything devolved each year until the sheep paid $5 for a subway fare and $1200 for a room share, ignorant of why City Hall went broke.

The End.

[author sure hopes they legalize medical marijuana b/c he has a terrible disease called "too-smart-osis"...]

Dude, You need some weed, A bottle of wine, and a Porno on the tube .

No, b/c that's what created this entire mess in the first place:

humans who are "out to lunch" and pay no attention to all the lies by govt and media.

If ALL taxpayers paid attention to what is going on, NYC wouldn't be bankrupt and the most expensive ghetto on earth.

Dude, I Agree with you ! But romanizing about the Ill's of Government, Wasteful Spending, when there's nothing you can do about it . It will lead to unhappy times ,and gray hairs ! Concentrate on YOU ! Like most people still working I worry about my job being phased out , Or Outsourced, paying the bills, and saving for retirement . (If your lucky enough to have anything left in your check to save )Sad to say but most people are lazy, Selfish, Arrogant pricks that for the most part only care when they have to deal with the shit they create face to face !

But you still need some weed, a bottle of wine , and a porno on the tube ! LOL

Dude, you really need to take your meds and take up meditation else you're really going to get an aneurysm.

Is it just me or did you use the ol' red scare tactic INSTEAD OF REBUTTING ANY OF MY POINTS?

Nice try, Skyler!

Most adults can see you are being EVASIVE, meaning You Think You Are Wrong.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_X._Brodeur

Don't trust Wikipedia!

FUN FACT:

there were right wingers vandalizing it so much that WIki locked it for awhile.

ALSO: wiki uses the SAME SOURCES that told us of "WMDs in Iraq", "Kerik is a HERO" and a zillion other FALSE stories.

MOST articles about me in the press were City Hall smear jobs that allowed NO OPPOSING VIEWPOINT From me or my lawyers, so that alone should tell you how SINCERE those articles were.

ALSO, the NYTimes has done over 15 stories on me, and FACT-CHECKED NOT A SINGLE ONE.

Do you really think that's a coincidence??

ALSO, Wiki won't allow me to correct any errors on the page someone made about me!

ARGH!

Do you think the mayor makes every decision in the city? Do you think he personally designed those expansion joints?

Dear Longacre,

actually, the open secret (the media keeps from you) is that Michael Bloomberg is an ABSENTEE MAYOR.

He literally runs NOTHING.

He's the most MIA politician perhaps in history. He does NO WORK ever. Just goes to parties and fun events, parties and fun events. If you've ever spoken with Bloomberg you know he knows almost nothing about the way govt works or NYC.

FUN FACT:

Under Psycho Mike, NYC has the most PRO-BIKE administration in history (see: the DoT bike lanes, etc) -- AND--- the most ANTI-BIKE administration in history (see: Ray kerik, er, Kelly's war on Critical mass and stealing thousands of bikes and refusing to do anything about bike theft etc).

NOW HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE? That City Hall would have OPPOSING viewpoints?

EASY: Bloombag let's each agency head do Whatever They Want with ZERO OVERSIGHT.

It's Latchkey City.

Which is why so many of Bloombag's goons are being arrested (and why the rest of them SHOULD be arrested).

But technically, the mayor is RESPONSIBLE FOR ALMOST EVERYTHING. Ask me for more details if you can't figure this out yourself.

If Critical Mass didn't have a history of disrupting traffic and behaving unlawfully, the cops would leave them alone.

See?

I KNEW you were a right wing sheep-troll!

BUSTED!

Everyone (right AND left wing) KNOWS THE NYPD GOT CAUGHT LYING ABOUT EVERYTHING.

(EX: even YOU know the NYPD lied about the cyclists who was slammed off his bike by another thug cop, so you're not even being 1% sincere, Mr. Kerik, er, Kelly, er "Longacre.)

FUN FACT:

Bloombag and Kerik, er, kelly (I must stop that!) announced PRIOR to their false arrests of 1800 innocent people at the RNC that they wouldn't arrest cyclists just for embarassing Mike's hero W.

THEY CLAIMED they'd only arrest cyclists who broke traffic laws!

WHOOOPS!!!

But they don't arrest DRIVERS who run red lights, etc, so WHY WOULD THEY ARREST CYCLISTS?

BUSTED!!!

REMEMBER EVERYONE: LONGACRE'S ARGUMENT IS THAT WE SHOULD TRUST POLITICIANS B/C THEY DON'T LIE AND THAT WE SHOULD TRUST BIG GOVT (like the NYPD) B/C RIGHT WINGERS BLINDLY TRUST BIG GOVT.

Well only a retard right winger trusts big govt!

Don't worry Mr. Kelly. They're holding a jail cell for you too.

Ha, good sleuthing.

oh shit, you used the $ instead of an s. Sweeeeet. Legitimacy, right there. Totally not the rantings of a paranoid lunatic.

So your argument is that abbreviating a point = ravings of a maniac.

Wow. No WONDER you pay the highest taxes on earth to live in the most expensive ghetto on earth!

YOU ARE A RE-TARD.

Now, WHY on earth did you go after my syntax rather than DISPROVE A SINGLE ONE OF MY POINTS, unless you are a Bloombag hag?

Most grown adults know you only go after spelling or syntax IF YOU ARE GRASPING AT STRAWS.

Please. Seriously: don't feed my ego by being such a moron. I'd much prefer opponents who have some semblance of maturity and intelligence.

Thanks!

xoxo,

CXB

Uh, sir. I believe i said "Legitimacy". Why else would you use such original (and hysterical) terms such as "Bloombag"?

"Bloombag" is an abbreviation of "Bloomberg = Scumbag", and I feel that abbreviations are legitmate.

Do you disagree?

(Well then, you'd better never use a contraction again!)

CXB,

I saw that same rant on a bathroom wall, written in shit.

ps. i didn't even read your post. It was too long. Can we limit these things to 140 characters or what?

Hey Chimp, is it just me or did you NOT REBUT A SINGLE POINT I MADE, and instead stoop to typical Republican junior high-isms?

THought so!

Needs a physical divider. I crossed it yesterday and nearly got hit by fools on bikes three times. They get over the top and race down the slope at ridiculous speeds.

It's a downhill genius ! Duh, What the hell do you expect ? You try navigating the incline , Get too the summit and see how good it feels to glide down that slope ! But what they should have done from the very beginning was separate the walkers from he cyclist by setting up the bike lane on one side of the bridge . But then again, There would be some walkers, Joggers that would purposely flaunt that and walk on the cyclists side anyway ! which is what I suspect will happen anyway after this reconstructing . *Sghs* People !

What the FUCK are you talking about? I was responding to let you know they WILL be seperated. YOU FUCK.

Listen you sensitive bitch ! I wasn't responding to your comment ! If you had of taken the time to actually you know "READ" Shit, You would have realized that point ! (In as Simple wording as I can muster at this time ) I was talking to "Brainwash" . *Sighs* " FUcking People " !!!!

No. Bikes are on one side and pedestrians on the other once work is completed. THe entire middle of the bridge is a physical barrier.

agreed: the pedestrians need to be protected from the speedy/weaving cyclists and the cyclists protected from having to weave around wayward/distracted pedestrians. now, on which side do the skateboarders belong?

Let me guess, it cost the DOT a "few" mil to get these drawings done.