Do you drive in NYC?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If so, any tips for dealing with the onslaught of bikes and pedestrians who insist on darting in front and around you?

Today I was driving around looking for a parking spot, and then backing into a spot, and several people walked right into my path, including as I was backing in. One woman had a little girl with her. WTF. It’s a moving vehicle and I’m distracted as I’m backing in.

w/o reading any of these other comments - We have a car. My husband is the primary driver and he is constantly complaining about pedestrians and bikes. In particular he thinks that there should be more pedestrian education from Vision Zero and not just education targeted towards drivers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. You just have to be really diligent.

And just adding that the way some of the bike lanes are set up can make turns a little tricky. Amsterdam Ave comes to mind . . . if you're making a left turn, you have to remember that the bike lane on your left and also has a green light and you have to ensure that you're not turning into an oncoming bike. You are supposed to yield to them as well as pedestrians in the crosswalk, which puts an extra onus on you to pay close attention.

Exactly. I don't own a car. But I rent or zipcar on average about once a month. Not everyone who uses a car is rich and I hate the anti-car whiners. I used to kind of enjoy driving in the city. It was like a game. And in some ways it was easier than the rest of America because you would always assume that someone was going to drive aggressively rather than being unclear what other drivers would do. The bikes have ruined it.

The bike lane on Amsterdam is a nightmare. I try to be conscientious and aware but it is hard to turn left across it and keep an eye out for bikers. Especially the electric bikers who are moving fast. I try to take the turn really slowly so that they have time to see what I am doing and move accordingly.

I am supportive of bikes but I think the city has gone too far in that direction. Get rid of the electric bikes. I know this will never happen but I wish they reverted to how it used to be where restaurants would only deliver in a 20 block or so radius (remember the Seinfeld episode about that?). And restaurants should make it cheaper if you pick up your food to motivate people to go get it. That would cut down on the number of bikes flying around. There also needs to be better enforcement against bikers who are going the wrong way on a one way.

And pedestrians have to be more considerate also. I patiently wait to turn across a crosswalk and someone is crossing at a ridiculously slow pace because they are checking their phone, picking their nose, or whatever else. I'm not saying you have to sprint (and I recognize that there are those who are not able to move quickly), but show a little courtesy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If so, any tips for dealing with the onslaught of bikes and pedestrians who insist on darting in front and around you?

Today I was driving around looking for a parking spot, and then backing into a spot, and several people walked right into my path, including as I was backing in. One woman had a little girl with her. WTF. It’s a moving vehicle and I’m distracted as I’m backing in.

w/o reading any of these other comments - We have a car. My husband is the primary driver and he is constantly complaining about pedestrians and bikes. In particular he thinks that there should be more pedestrian education from Vision Zero and not just education targeted towards drivers.

That’s a very good idea. Cars can only do so much if pedestrians are walking in front of them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes. You just have to be really diligent.

And just adding that the way some of the bike lanes are set up can make turns a little tricky. Amsterdam Ave comes to mind . . . if you're making a left turn, you have to remember that the bike lane on your left and also has a green light and you have to ensure that you're not turning into an oncoming bike. You are supposed to yield to them as well as pedestrians in the crosswalk, which puts an extra onus on you to pay close attention.

Exactly. I don't own a car. But I rent or zipcar on average about once a month. Not everyone who uses a car is rich and I hate the anti-car whiners. I used to kind of enjoy driving in the city. It was like a game. And in some ways it was easier than the rest of America because you would always assume that someone was going to drive aggressively rather than being unclear what other drivers would do. The bikes have ruined it.

The bike lane on Amsterdam is a nightmare. I try to be conscientious and aware but it is hard to turn left across it and keep an eye out for bikers. Especially the electric bikers who are moving fast. I try to take the turn really slowly so that they have time to see what I am doing and move accordingly.

I am supportive of bikes but I think the city has gone too far in that direction. Get rid of the electric bikes. I know this will never happen but I wish they reverted to how it used to be where restaurants would only deliver in a 20 block or so radius (remember the Seinfeld episode about that?). And restaurants should make it cheaper if you pick up your food to motivate people to go get it. That would cut down on the number of bikes flying around. There also needs to be better enforcement against bikers who are going the wrong way on a one way.

And pedestrians have to be more considerate also. I patiently wait to turn across a crosswalk and someone is crossing at a ridiculously slow pace because they are checking their phone, picking their nose, or whatever else. I'm not saying you have to sprint (and I recognize that there are those who are not able to move quickly), but show a little courtesy.

I agree bikes are part of the issue but to defend bikes, I love citibikes and e-bikes in particular, and would hate to see those overly restricted because I use them a lot (I live far from a subway). And anything that reduces cars is a good thing obviously. And the regular citi bikes are tanks and not easy to ride uphill.

But bike lanes are a mess and inconsistent. And part of the reason you see bikers going the wrong way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I drive. Have for 20 years plus in nyc

I dont like the bike lanes. I'm pro bike lane, but the two ways the city seems to do them either parked cars / bike lane / cars or bike lane/ parked cars / cars make taking a left or right with the light very hard. I feel like I could hit a bike who is not aware. I'm super aware which means slowing down in a non-turn lane which is also dangerous.

I honestly wish we'd have fewer/better bike lanes. I'd give up an entire major street to do all bike lanes if I could (and get rid of other bike lanes). Make broadway or 3rd avenue all bikes half north bound/half south bound. I'd bike!

What about biking? Do any of you bike?

Seems like the consensus is the bike lanes! Bikes are an overall positive but I also wish there were better bike lanes. When I ride, some areas are terrifying to navigate, the lanes drop off and suddenly I’m in the middle of a pile of cars, and of course every uber, cab and delivery truck pulled over is right in the bike lane, and then you end up in the flow of traffic on a bike.

I could use some overall training on signaling etc.

Maybe a required short mini course for bicyclists, pedestrians and drivers who drive more than infrequently in NYC?

[Anonymous]

The reality is that pedestrians don't know the laws and don't follow the laws and hence there are pedestrian accidents and deaths. 90% are pedestrian caused.

If somebody steps behind your car as you are backing into a spot and they get hit so be it.

Driving in NY you just drive carefully, follow all the laws and if I biker or pedestrian breaks the law and gets hit, stay and wait for an ambulance and then get on with you day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The reality is that pedestrians don't know the laws and don't follow the laws and hence there are pedestrian accidents and deaths. 90% are pedestrian caused.

If somebody steps behind your car as you are backing into a spot and they get hit so be it.

Driving in NY you just drive carefully, follow all the laws and if I biker or pedestrian breaks the law and gets hit, stay and wait for an ambulance and then get on with you day.

That is definitely not true.

[Anonymous]

If they ticketed anyone who was walking and looking at their phone all of the world's problems would be solved - any concentrated viewing of the phone should require stepping to the side. The worst is those who do it while crossing the street, followed closely by those who do it while very, very slowly walking up the steps out of the subway.

I know people who have been ticketed for walking between subway cars or hopping turnstiles so this is a similar idea.

This would make traffic flow much better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If they ticketed anyone who was walking and looking at their phone all of the world's problems would be solved - any concentrated viewing of the phone should require stepping to the side. The worst is those who do it while crossing the street, followed closely by those who do it while very, very slowly walking up the steps out of the subway.

I know people who have been ticketed for walking between subway cars or hopping turnstiles so this is a similar idea.

This would make traffic flow much better.

Well, maybe not just walking but walking in the street, right? And a 25 ticket or something not crazy but also not just a warning. But hiring cops to do this? Does it make sense financially?

[Anonymous]

^ although maybe they could deputize citizens to give these tickets. And also hand out tickets for littering

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they ticketed anyone who was walking and looking at their phone all of the world's problems would be solved - any concentrated viewing of the phone should require stepping to the side. The worst is those who do it while crossing the street, followed closely by those who do it while very, very slowly walking up the steps out of the subway.

I know people who have been ticketed for walking between subway cars or hopping turnstiles so this is a similar idea.

This would make traffic flow much better.

Well, maybe not just walking but walking in the street, right? And a 25 ticket or something not crazy but also not just a warning. But hiring cops to do this? Does it make sense financially?

There are countless people doing this. The fines would cover their salaries easily!

A friend once got a $75 ticket for walking between subway cars on the Times Square/Grand Central shuttle while it was sitting in the station with the doors open - he said he knew you can't go between cars on a moving train, but not with the doors open - who knew? Countless people do this - if they parked a cop there they could make a fortune. Same idea for the cell phone abusers.

Obviously this will never happen but it would make the city a better place to live.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they ticketed anyone who was walking and looking at their phone all of the world's problems would be solved - any concentrated viewing of the phone should require stepping to the side. The worst is those who do it while crossing the street, followed closely by those who do it while very, very slowly walking up the steps out of the subway.

I know people who have been ticketed for walking between subway cars or hopping turnstiles so this is a similar idea.

This would make traffic flow much better.

Well, maybe not just walking but walking in the street, right? And a 25 ticket or something not crazy but also not just a warning. But hiring cops to do this? Does it make sense financially?

There are countless people doing this. The fines would cover their salaries easily!

A friend once got a $75 ticket for walking between subway cars on the Times Square/Grand Central shuttle while it was sitting in the station with the doors open - he said he knew you can't go between cars on a moving train, but not with the doors open - who knew? Countless people do this - if they parked a cop there they could make a fortune. Same idea for the cell phone abusers.

Obviously this will never happen but it would make the city a better place to live.

Agree. In my nabe, littering is a big issue too. Wish they would ticket for that. Although I suspect a lot of it is homeless people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If they ticketed anyone who was walking and looking at their phone all of the world's problems would be solved - any concentrated viewing of the phone should require stepping to the side. The worst is those who do it while crossing the street, followed closely by those who do it while very, very slowly walking up the steps out of the subway.

I know people who have been ticketed for walking between subway cars or hopping turnstiles so this is a similar idea.

This would make traffic flow much better.

Well, maybe not just walking but walking in the street, right? And a 25 ticket or something not crazy but also not just a warning. But hiring cops to do this? Does it make sense financially?

There are countless people doing this. The fines would cover their salaries easily!

A friend once got a $75 ticket for walking between subway cars on the Times Square/Grand Central shuttle while it was sitting in the station with the doors open - he said he knew you can't go between cars on a moving train, but not with the doors open - who knew? Countless people do this - if they parked a cop there they could make a fortune. Same idea for the cell phone abusers.

Obviously this will never happen but it would make the city a better place to live.

Agree. In my nabe, littering is a big issue too. Wish they would ticket for that. Although I suspect a lot of it is homeless people.

In the police state that we live in with cameras everywhere, you would think they could see who is doing it. Relatedly, all of the people who don't clean up after their dogs. All of these "little" quality of life issues truly make a difference.