wow. can't believe you all came so "close" to getting hit. just like you are almost running into people while you're walking down the sidewalk. seriously, grow up and stop acting like crazy old ladies. theres a reason you haven't actually been hit, and it's because they're paying attention, probably a lot more than you. people have to get things done quickly here if you havent noticed. if you don't like how they ride why don't you take the super crappy low paying job and do it better. you'll have an awesome time when you roll up to your delivery and get a ticket for being on the sidewalk and lose a whole days pay. but no, just keep letting them physically carry your food for you cause you're too lazy to leave your apartment and hardly tip them anything for carrying it up to your door. also, not a good city for bike use? only cos its dangerous for them because its ill equipped. Prob dont want to lose the money they make on parking tickets. + its not a good city for any use if you're talking about too many people or about how anyone navigates via bike, car, or walking. ANOTHER THING TO UNDERSTAND AND GET OVER, WELCOME TO NYC, WE HAVE A HIGH POPULATION DENSITY : ]]]endless # of reasons why this article + 1/2 these comments suck. stop bitching about things that dont actually effect you

I'm all for bike lanes, especially with the horrible service provided by the MTA, but I've had several close shaves with bicycle messengers on the UWS.

On a positive note, yesterday morning was crossing First Ave, site of the new bike lanes in the AM. Same intersection for 20 years. Look both ways, step out. Light still red. In the distance, coming uptown, spandex helmeted demon, good speed. I stepped back on the sidewalk, well before approach to give right-of-way. Guy had the class, while zooming by, to say "Thanks, Doc" (I was in my greens). Tossed off to him: "Have a good ride!". With courtesy we can survive. Biker guy, if you read this, thanks for giving someone a reason to smile for the rest of the day. Delivery guys on the sidewalk or going the wrong way? I just yell out "Stop, ICE". gets 'em every time :)

99.9% of these guys are undocumented workers, so call Mayor Bloomberg, who thinks the large illegal work force in NYC is so wonderful it needs to be expanded, to complain.

I usually like Cuozzo's columns, but its hard to know where to start with this one. The other commentators have covered most of it. First, I've also never seen a bike deliveryman use a bike lane. Second, police in this city seems to have a hands off policy regarding cars too. I hate it when bicyclists run red lights, but I've seen cars run red lights too a few times in Midtown, which is scarier. At least I have yet to see a car going the wrong way down a one way street.

To expand on Mordecai's comment, my hierachy in terms of traffic annoyances is cab drivers > SUV drivers > bike deliverymen> all other drivers > other bicyclists > cell-walkers/ text-walkers > tourists > other pedestrians

I don't think this is a particularly good city for bike use, but the MTA is doing far more than City Hall to promote bicycling with their service cuts.

Cab drivers at least like, provide a SERVICE. Sure they are a pain in the neck, but they are like trucks; they keep stuff running. If there was, I dunno, congestion pricing & people had options to NOT drive like dicks because the streets weren't flooded with non-tax payers like folks from up-state & out-of-state (ab)using the free parking, it might not be so bad. But right, at least cabs & trucks aren't offensive at a fundamental level. Private drivers, ugh.

it's not them riding on the sidewalks that's the problem, it's them zooming through red lights when you have the walk sign. i have been almost hit so many times.

i don't know anything about bike laws, but it should be illegal for a bike to run through a red light.

It's just as illegal as it is for a car. Whereas, I think only the true dicks and sociopaths run red lights in cars...unfortunately, it seems many bikers find themselves to be on a different level in the eyes of the law, and though they know it's illegal, they think it's "okay" and justify it to themselves and others.

I'd also like to add that it's equally illegal for a pedestrian to cross against the light.

I'm a pedestrian, cyclist and driver in NYC and, being a pedestrian first and foremost, has given me a true respect for traffic laws. I don't blow through red lights or ride the wrong way on my bike and never beep my horn or speed in the city. I wish I had a dollar though for every time I've peddaled up to an intersection where I have the light and someone steps right out in front of me. People also regularly step out from in between parked cars, talk on their phones, or stand on the sidewalk with their stroller in the street.

Luckily, cyclists are more attuned to whats going on all around them than drivers, and almost all pedestrians. They have to be, or they'd be dead. (Ok, I'm sure someone's going to say they saw a non-delivery cyclist talking on a phone whilevriding, but think about how many times you've seen that compared to a driver doing the same thing.) It pisses me off that the city doesn't enforce their own delivey codes -- I'm sure they're holding back as not to inconvenience restaurants (a huge part of the economy), but just a few tickets might get a few more delivery men to ride correctly, wear their helmets, and display the restaurant name on their bike (which should be there in case of bad riding -- so you can complain)

I haven't noticed much sidewalk biking. My only real problem with delivery men is that they bike the wrong way down one-way streets.

Oh please. Blaming this on bike lanes is ridiculous. The next time I see a deliveryman in a bike lane will be the first. They prefer riding in the middle lane of Broadway and riding the wrong way down side streets and sidewalks.

To fight back, the community board is threatening to withdraw their support for liquor licenses for restaurants whose delivery men pedal like jerks

As a cyclist who can't stand the bad name delivery people gives to other bikers via their constantly riding the wrong way down the street or on the sidewalks, I completely support this idea.

As do I. I've often thought of complaining the employers of reckless delivery men, but figured they would just shrug it off.

The food's always cold anyway, another minute to not go the wrong way on one-ways isn't going to hurt.

take out food deliveries are what makes this city great.

and the ticket crap is crap because tickets for sidewalk riding is like number 3 on the list of the most tickets given. I think marijuana is number one. you can thank bloombag.

yet everyone gets edgy if their delivery isn't there in 15 minutes. these guys have a terrible job and everyone abuses them. i'm also pretty attentive and i rarely see them up on the sidewalks by me...rarely

Cuozzo is out of his mind. I get mad at bikes all the time too; but mostly because they are forced to act like jerks by cars & lack of integration. Sure, I hate bikers, but I hate them SO MUCH LESS than drivers. Oh such a million times less is my hate for the bicyclist. Pedestrian > Biker > Driver. That is the scheme. Deal with it.

Wow, she's kinda foxy! Not at all how I pictured her. Cougarrrrific!

2/10 JDS

Cue to faux outrage; bicycle post = red meat around here.

too much red meat? then come on over to the meatless section! free naked-painted boobs!

http://gothamist.com/2010/07/30/peta_6.php

Reckless delivery guys terrorize the entire freaking city - they're the reason I always look both ways before crossing a one-way street. They at least know that they're the one's in the wrong when they riding the wrong way towards you in a bike lane - they typically jut out into traffic to let you pass or pull over altogether.