The bike path on the Brooklyn bridge is a serious biking artery for some New York commuters. Like many budding bicycling cultures, the placement of infrastructure doesn't solve all problems. I guess it doesn't help that everybody walks on the bridge to photograph it. Tourists are constantly straying onto the cycle path without checking to see if anybody is coming. There is a lot of pedestrian vs. bikes going on.
When I biked over I just kept yelling I was on the left. Some people were nonetheless oblivious, but when you get close enough and follow it up with "whoa, bike path!" the tourists usually freeze and tune into what's going on.
I'm sure in time the pedestrians will learn that walking on the bike path is actually pretty dangerous and there's a big, thick white line there for a reason.
Here are some pics I snapped of other bridge commuters.
There were all sorts of cyclists.
This guy had a box on the front of his bike and inside was his golden retriever!
I much prefer the Williamsburg bridge, but the Brooklyn bridge bike path was at the very least... an experience. On my next visit I'll probably give it a pass, unless I'm with somebody who wants to give it a try.
11 comments:
Living in my edge of suburbia means I don't have many bike paths to ride on.
I just started biking to work this week, and I really wish I had a defined area for me and my bike.
Thanks for the great photos!
:) Laura
The bike bell also sends a clear "bike coming!" signal. Someone did a great video walking around Tokyo ringing a bike bell, after which people would instinctively get out of the way, even though he was walking!
The 'box is a bakfiets, or 'cargobike'. I carry two daughters in mine. (And/or shopping).
fun! Was that a home made cargo bike. Very cool. You know me and the cargo bikes. I seriously cannot get enough. Loved that he biked his dog over.
I think americans really don't understand the whole on your left/ bell dinging. Whenever I am in a multi use path it's mayhem and everyone looks at me like I'm the crazy one even though I pass slowly and sweetly with please, hi there's and thanks so muches.
Happens to me every day as i bike over... once this young woman actually jumped out in front of me and I hit her and faceplanted on the wood. I felt so bad, even though i was the one bleeding! I usually just say "bike lane, bike lane, bike lane, thanks, sorry, be careful" trying to be nice, but as you said, some people (tourists) are just in their own world!
Nolan - I wish there was a bike bell on my crappy rental bike, but when there is no bell I just yell. Sometimes I even yell, "DING DING!" instead words.
baudman - I wish somebody sold bakfiets here in Edmonton.
Mama - social change is slooow.
Laura - When in doubt, just take the lane!
I walked the Bridge last Summer and found it crazy that people were wondering on the bike path. I never did get a chance (or time) to rent a bike and bike around the city..there seemed to be lots of paths to pedal on.
I'll remember that rental company that you were suggested using next time I go there. I wish I had a chance when I was there, but there is so much to do!
I walked the bridge near sunset, had enough time to eat at a sushi place in Brooklyn, before taking a night shot of Manhattan Skyline. I ended up walking in Brooklyn with some people from Russia, trying to find a Subway station as there was a storm coming through when I wanted to return to City Hall back on the Bridge. (too dangerous to do in a Thunderstorm) To make matters worse, my cheap tourist umbrella was broken so I got a little wet!
Bruce doesn't have a bell but he just whistles. It's very loud and somewhat obnoxious, but it grabs attention!
Carolyn - your brooklyn bridge bike seems way more crazy than mine. I didn't have rain OR Russians:)
Laura - I think having bike lanes does wonders for teaching cars that bikes have a place on the road and also getting cyclists feeling safer and more confident out in traffic.
I mean, it's just paint, right?
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