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    City Wins Court Decision and Quickly Bans Parking on 18-Block Stretch of Central Park West

    July 31, 2019 | 10:49 PM
    in NEWS
    100


    No Stopping Anytime signs popped up on Central Park West in a matter of hours on Wednesday. Photo via city Department of Transportation.

    A state judge denied a condo board’s request to halt a city plan to add a protected bike lane on Central Park West on Wednesday, and the city quickly banned parking on a large section of the avenue.

    In a matter of hours, the Department of Transportation installed “No Stopping Anytime” signs from 59th Street to 77th, making room for the bike lane. When complete, the lane will run from 59th to 110th and result in about 400 parking spaces being removed.

    The condo board at The Century, a building on Central Park West from 62nd to 63rd Street, sued the city on Tuesday to stop the bike lane from being built, arguing the city hadn’t undertaken the right environmental reviews. The board asked for an injunction to stop the Department of Transportation from moving forward with construction. But on Wednesday, Judge Lynn Kotler denied the request. The case will continue, however, with the next hearing set for August 20.

    “We are grateful for the judge’s decision today that will allow us to move forward with a design that will transform Central Park West this summer, and make our streets safer for everyone,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg in a statement. “With so many lives being lost this year on our roadways, and with the broad support of the community, we are confident that we will ultimately prevail in our efforts to build this much-needed protected bike lane.”

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    100 Comments
    UWS cyclist
    UWS cyclist
    7 years ago

    Good thing! Very grateful the judge made this decision.

    1
    Reply
    Rob G.
    Rob G.
    7 years ago

    More lunacy from Community Board 7. The only people that will benefit from this insane plan are garage owners.

    0
    Reply
    your_neighbor
    your_neighbor
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    How about the bike riders who no longer have to swerve into dangerous traffic when a car or truck decides to park in the current unprotected bike lane? This happens at least once and generally more times every time I ride on CPW and I only ride for a 15 block stretch.

    Instead of 400 people being able to store their cars on the street, thousands of bike riders will be able to ride safely.

    1
    Reply
    Dennis
    Dennis
    7 years ago
    Reply to  your_neighbor

    I think this bike lane issue just helped me make
    up my mind to move. I need my car to drive to work every day. The rent to park in a garage is about $650 a month or more. It’s not the bike lane that’s going to save lives. The city of Transportation need to regulate all of the reckless electric bikes that goes 20 to 30 mph. They are the people who are mostly getting killed, not folks on regular bikes.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Dennis

    What alternate reality did you pull that out of? None of the people killed on bikes this year have been e-bikes. They’ve all been standard bikes.

    1
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    And people who want to bike to work without dying …

    1
    Reply
    AC
    AC
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    Totally in agreement with you on this. They’ve been lobbying for citi-bikes in the UWS for years. The more parking spaces removed, the richer they get. And now this.

    0
    Reply
    Arjan
    Arjan
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    Only garage owners? Please take a look at the following article:

    https://www.americancityandcounty.com/2019/06/11/study-finds-protected-bike-lanes-make-roadways-safer-for-everyone/

    I hope you are willing to read something that doesn’t align with your own opinion. As this article discussed, bike lanes make it safer for all road users. So everyone benefits!

    0
    Reply
    Paul
    Paul
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Arjan

    As long as there were preexisting protected lanes, woefully under utilized, within a two minute ride there was no need for the lane on CPW.

    The average upper west Sider walks well over two minutes to get to his or her bus stop, subway station, or parking garage. The notion that our most hardy can’t be asked to sacrifice four minutes a day is absurd.

    0
    Reply
    Seniorita
    Seniorita
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Arjan

    “All roadway users.” Except pedestrians, especially the elderly,the handicapped, parents with small children, people going to and from Central Park, people boarding and disembarking from buses and taxis.

    0
    Reply
    Rob G.
    Rob G.
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Arjan

    As a biker, I don’t have an issue with bike lanes. It’s the stupid, thoughtless plan that rips out 400 parking spaces that I disagree with. I also have a problem with the narrow-mindedness of some who fantasize that making NYC a car-free city and chasing away everyone who wishes to own one will somehow solve our problems.

    0
    Reply
    Patrick D Duff
    Patrick D Duff
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    agree completely

    0
    Reply
    Jay
    Jay
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    And the public….

    You seem to care about rich people’s free parking spots a lot more than you should.

    1
    Reply
    Rob G.
    Rob G.
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Jay

    Your disdain for wealthy people seems to cloud your logic. Do you really believe it’s rich folks in their Lamborghinis circling around the neighborhood looking for free parking?

    0
    Reply
    UWS resident
    UWS resident
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Rob G.

    This city is congested and polluted, owing primarily to automobiles. This culture needs to change to prevent the looming environmental crises that has already begun. We need to encourage mass transportation and discourage car ownership in NYC and elsewhere.

    0
    Reply
    Sara
    Sara
    7 years ago

    Love it. Cars are luxury goods. Leaving it on the street for one person to have the option to drive to the mall or the beach is absurd. The street is for everyone. Imagine how fantastic the city would be with No on street parking. Truly amazing. Room for busses to move you quickly around town. Bikes have space to move. Cleaner air. Cars are poison. If you want one and live here, pay to park. If you want to visit take transit. Have a great day.

    0
    Reply
    js
    js
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Sara

    @Sara,
    A big contributor to congestion is Amazon/ecommerce delivery.
    Able bodied people should reduce delivery, just walk to the store.
    And there should be high taxes on Amazon, Fresh Direct etc delivery.

    0
    Reply
    Woody
    Woody
    7 years ago
    Reply to  js

    You’re proposing high taxes on eCommerce players like Amazon & Fresh Direct in order to prompt consumers to switch back to buying primarily from storefronts. How would those goods get delivered to the stores differently than the way they are delivered to consumers’ homes? How do people get items back to their homes from non-local stores? Oversize items? Which do you prefer…UPS/FedEx/USPS trucks or tractor-trailer/box trucks delivering in the neighborhood? How much does it cost to get deliveries from Fairway?

    0
    Reply
    Stuart
    Stuart
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Sara

    Sorry, but buses will never move fast in Manhattan. With bus stops every other block, they must go slowly by design. And fumes from buses are more toxic and stinky than what comes out of a well maintained automobile.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Stuart

    The MTA recently retired the last of its old, dirty diesel buses. What’s left are clean diesel, compressed natural gas, hydrid diesel, and all electric. So the ones like you mentioned are already all gone. Further, the MTA plans to replace all buses with all electric buses by 2040.

    https://ny.curbed.com/2019/5/6/18533462/mta-retires-diesel-buses-rapid-transit-series-all-electric-fleet

    0
    Reply
    Jack
    Jack
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Sara

    This is the exact problem with people trying to actually debate an issue.

    There are many UWS residents for whom a car is a necessity. You know, so they can do things like work. But you simply brush them away as rich people who want to be able to drive to the beach on a whim.

    Also, one could very easily argue bicycles are a luxury good too. No one NEEDS to ride a bicycle. You can take buses, taxis, ubers, ferries or subways to get anywhere a bicycle can take you and you can do it in less time.

    0
    Reply
    Sharon
    Sharon
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Jack

    My husband commutes to work on a bike. It takes way less time for him to ride a bike than any other form of transportation. Much better for the environment and he gets exercise as well. We need more bike lanes.

    0
    Reply
    UWS resident
    UWS resident
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Jack

    Lol. How are bicycles a class of vehicles you don’t need to use? Your argument could be made about any of the other vehicle classes you mention.

    Some people rely on bicycles to get to work, too.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Jack

    You could, but biking is also free, which none of those other things you mentioned are. For the price of less than four monthly unlimited Metrocards you can get a high quality Trek bike that will last you for years with no cost except some basic maintenance.

    It is also the greenest form of transportation. The only emissions are the CO2 you exhale when you breath.

    0
    Reply
    Chris
    Chris
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Sara

    I do not have a car and really do not want my tax money going to bike riders either. How about old fashion walking? I can walk form CPW to York Ave in 25 minutes.

    0
    Reply
    Big Nate
    Big Nate
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Sara

    Could not agree more. Why does a huge car get to take up so much space on a public right of way for FREE? 18 cyclists killed this year in the city because car owners are so unwilling to sacrifice their precious free spots, and this city caters to them.

    0
    Reply
    ST
    ST
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Big Nate

    Bicycles in a city with so many goods and services delivered to it is insane. And cyclists break the rules of traffic and don’t wear helmets making it more so.
    The Upper West Side has lost thousands of parking spots due to Citibikes and Bike lanes thanks to Comunity Board Seven caving to outside interest groups. It has failed the Upper West Side in so many ways. All they do is rubber stamp whatever outside interests want and the board never stands up for residents. The members, especially the chair, should be ashamed and replaced.
    If you agree with me, voice your concerns. Write to you
    Representatives. Community Board Seven has got to go.

    0
    Reply
    Josh
    Josh
    7 years ago
    Reply to  ST

    I am an Upper West Side resident, who lives in the CB7 district. I bike regularly, almost daily, in the CPW bike lane, following the rules of the road, stopping at lights, etc. I have been cut off, sometimes intentionally, by drivers so many times I would lose count after trying to keep track for just a week. So you know what, CB7 did stand up for its residents, because they are standing up for my safety. And if parking is so much more important to you than the safety of your neighbors, I think you need to take a hard look at your priorities here. And just because you dont agree with their choice doesnt mean they aren’t standing up for the community or UWS residents. They just aren’t standing up for you. Last time I checked, there were a lot more people in the UWS than just you.

    Oh, and I also own a car that I park on the street.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  ST

    This city is already piloting loading zones for commercial delivery vehicles to stop and deliver their goods. That means even more free vehicle storage eliminated which is fine by me.

    0
    Reply
    michael
    michael
    7 years ago

    This idea is a lazy, poorly thought-out, and unnecessarily disruptive plan. It appears no consideration was given to how this has been accomplished in other large cities across the globe with a sizable population of bicycle commuters. There are ways to have accomplished such a plan without all the disruption.

    For example, In Stockholm, the bike lane is lifted, above the curb, at the hight of the sidewalk. This prevents cars from encroaching onto the bike line. The bike lane and the pedestrian lane which are next to each other are clearly marked and respected.

    The city could have built this type of a bike lane while simultaneously maintaining CPW parking using the currently allocated parking lane and bike lane.

    Such a shame.

    0
    Reply
    nycissues.org
    nycissues.org
    7 years ago
    Reply to  michael

    All users would be happier and parking saved:
    https://nycissues.org/images/CPWBikeLaneKeepsParking.png

    0
    Reply
    stu
    stu
    7 years ago
    Reply to  michael

    That is what they did in Times Square. Problem here is that they need access to the bike lane for emergency vehicles, parades etc., so they want it level.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago

    We need protected bike lanes. We really don’t have them in the upper west side. At least not any that go all the way to midtown. 18 people dying so far this year on bikes in NYC is tragic. Riding next to cars is dangerous. The last guy who died was killed when he swerved to avoid being doored.

    0
    Reply
    Not Amused
    Not Amused
    7 years ago

    When the City literally owns the judiciary, what do you expect? Corrupt administration, corrupt judiciary.

    They’re doing the bum’s rush on this half-baked, half-a$$ed scheme because there’s no way it would hold up to legitiimate judicial scrutiny.

    Expanding cycling lanes without a comprehensive safety and enforcement policy is a recipe fo manslaughter, and it’s the pedestrians who will pay the dearest price with limb and life.

    0
    Reply
    B flat
    B flat
    7 years ago

    Ridiculous. To me the issue is public safety, how are disabled and elderly supposed to board buses? Given New York’s wholly inadequate ADA people rely on bus service. But there’s no lobby for them, or not a strong one anyway. Opening the park to bike traffic would have solved a number of issues, but triggers gotta grift.

    0
    Reply
    CMR
    CMR
    7 years ago

    This is a terrible idea. You’re not going to get rid of cars. 400 cars will flood Columbus and Amsterdam avenues searching for short term and overnight parking. They’ll go round and round dangerously crossing lanes to get an open spot or double parking and waiting for spots to open up. There’s an uptown bike path on Amsterdam avenue. So misguided.

    0
    Reply
    Joe C.
    Joe C.
    7 years ago

    Amazing how quickly this was put into action when the city can’t effectively run its own public transportation system.
    Cars are a luxury for some, but a necessity for others, and those who need them will now be facing major hurdles, not to mention the increased traffic on the side streets.
    Who will actually use the bike lane? The messengers? Highly unlikely as they seem oblivious to traffic patterns and seem to enjoy putting driver’s lives at risk weaving in and out of traffic and running red lights.

    0
    Reply
    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Joe C.

    “The city can’t effectively run its own public transportation system” for the simple reason that is has no legal authority to do so.

    1
    Reply
    Josh
    Josh
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Joe C.

    I will use the bike lane. I am a NYC teacher and I live on the Upper West Side and own a car that I park on the street.

    1
    Reply
    Alta
    Alta
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Joe C.

    Biking is also a luxury for some and a necessity for most.

    0
    Reply
    krny2010
    krny2010
    7 years ago

    Oh no, we must all have sympathy for the rich people who are too cheap to pay for parking as they will lose their precious street parking! All to serve the nefarious bike and parking garage interests!

    0
    Reply
    Mark Moore
    Mark Moore
    7 years ago

    The building asked for an environmental review but didn’t state any reason why a review should be conducted. “We don’t like bikes” isn’t a reason.

    1
    Reply
    S. Hayes
    S. Hayes
    7 years ago

    In 15 years or less all new cars will be electric. Hear that? It’s the wind. But given our proclivity to say no to progress we may see an UWS resembling Havana with vintage loud gas guzzlers trolling for a place to sit until moving to another place to sit. We may become the “historic” vehicle district of NYC given so much opposition to change.

    0
    Reply
    Heather H
    Heather H
    7 years ago

    I used to commute to NJ, for work, everyday. This was before the bus lanes, and hundreds of parking spaces being removed, even then it could take over an hour to find parking after a ten hour day.

    A car is not a luxury for every westsider. I have no real issue with the bike lanes but I really do think it’s time for resident parking stickers.

    0
    Reply
    Larry Lox
    Larry Lox
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Heather H

    I agree Heather! The cars I see on my block regularly clearly belong to hard working UWSers who don’t have public transit options (though I did get my Honda with all the bells and whistles).

    0
    Reply
    Josh
    Josh
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Larry Lox

    I know most of the people on my block who own cars. Most are like me and do not need them, but they are definitely a convenience. Actually, thinking about it, I dont know anyone who legitimately needs it. I also used to commute by car to NJ many years ago. But it wasnt needed, it was a convenience then too.

    0
    Reply
    ben
    ben
    7 years ago

    Good.

    0
    Reply
    ST
    ST
    7 years ago

    And where will all the private school tour buses idle now?

    0
    Reply
    KittyH.
    KittyH.
    7 years ago

    It seems, before the fact, that this bike lane may afford greater safety for the cyclists, a good thing. However, greater care must be taken to ensure that cyclists obey the rules of the road as is required of other vehicles, i.e., stop at red lights and yield to pedestrians. Bicyclists violate these rules more often than not, which jeopardizes the safety of the rest of us.

    0
    Reply
    Chris
    Chris
    7 years ago
    Reply to  KittyH.

    I agree that cyclists must obey the rules of the road, but the NYPD and the DOT have both testified to the fact that protected bike lanes make cyclists *and* pedestrians safer.

    0
    Reply
    Tom P
    Tom P
    7 years ago
    Reply to  KittyH.

    I’m all for bike lanes. What I don’t understand is why do this when Central Park is right there plus cars are already banned from using the park. Can’t get safer then that.

    0
    Reply
    Arjan
    Arjan
    7 years ago
    Reply to  KittyH.

    Kitty, I appreciate your concern about the safety of not only the cyclists, but of everyone else as well.

    Then it might be interesting to know that implementing these bike lanes leads to safer streets for everyone in traffic:

    https://www.popsci.com/protected-bike-lanes-safer-roads/

    0
    Reply
    NoBikeNoCarUWSer
    NoBikeNoCarUWSer
    7 years ago

    But uptown buses still need to stop on CPW and what about cabs? You know they will pull over.

    I agree and think if you can afford a car in Manhattan, then you can afford to park it in a garage. Traffic would be much better without park on all the avenues.

    0
    Reply
    Adam
    Adam
    7 years ago

    It’s enough with the belly aching about parking, if you can’t afford to have a car in the city, then don’t. My guess is this is coming from the non-workers who twice a week for 90 minutes double park their cars and sit in them while the street sweeper goes by. They should be grateful they aren’t ticketed for double parking (they should be!).

    0
    Reply
    Jeff
    Jeff
    7 years ago

    A Good Start!

    We should now continue to press to remove parking from one side of all of the major crosstown routes (96th, 86th, 72nd)

    0
    Reply
    MJ
    MJ
    7 years ago

    When bike riders begin stopping at red lights and stop treating pedestrians (including children) like an obstacle, I’ll start caring about their bike safety. All I ever see are speeding, race gear wearing menaces who are not afraid to be obnoxious because they can speed away like entitled brats.

    0
    Reply
    Tom
    Tom
    7 years ago

    Zipcar and Uber. It’s time folks. Dump the car! 😎

    0
    Reply
    Lisa
    Lisa
    7 years ago

    The wealthy DO NOT park their cars on the street. They can afford a $600/month garage that will keep their cars protected from break-ins and dents. I think the majority of street parkers are normal New Yorkers who need a vehicle for other reasons. For example, our superintendent has a car that he parks on our street. I can guarantee he’s not wealthy. THESE are the people that are going to be hurt by the loss of parking spaces (along with the rest of us who will put up with more traffic jams and fumes in the neighborhood). I am all for biker safety, but this has the stink of being rigged and jammed through without any actual thought being put into it and d*** the consequences.

    0
    Reply
    Mike
    Mike
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Lisa

    So it was all the normal New Yorkers on the condo board of The Century, where condo prices average between $2500 and $4500 a sqft, that filed this lawsuit?

    0
    Reply
    sjroth
    sjroth
    7 years ago

    I think the entire perimeter of Central Park should be with protected bikes lanes!

    0
    Reply
    Ellen Azorin
    Ellen Azorin
    7 years ago

    It’s time for the people of the city of New York to come to terms with the changing nature of how we get around. Bike riding means fewer cars, less congestion, less polution. Cycling is here to stay, and yes, it will impact cars, but in balance, it is a benefit to the city, and at least we can make it safe so more cyclists don’t get killed.

    0
    Reply
    Robert F.
    Robert F.
    7 years ago

    I live on CPW and often ride my bike uptown from 72nd Street on the dedicated bike lane. I also ride north from 94th Street to 110th Street where the dedicated lane ends. Going south there is no problem riding down from 110th Street. In other words, there is absolutely no need to add another bike lane on CPW!

    0
    Reply
    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Robert F.

    It doesn’t sound like a lane is being added – just moved and separated from moving traffic.

    0
    Reply
    AR2
    AR2
    7 years ago

    It continues to amaze me that NO ONE from the City nor the DOT ever address the fact that the majority of the bikers on the road either are unaware of the traffic rules or simply don’t care and ride as they wish! Safety, education andenforcement when people do not follow
    the rules nare the first step that needs to be addressed before simply adding more access for bikers in residential areas no less! This will dramatically increase the safety for EVERYONE – bikers,pedestrians cars and buses. When I am outside in my UWS neighborhood not 15 minutes goes by where I don’t see at least 1 biker riding on the wrong way on the street, riding on the sidewalk, not obeying traffic signals or rules! Giving more access will NOT solve this safety issue for EVERYONE not just bikers.

    0
    Reply
    TNYC
    TNYC
    7 years ago

    I can see the Columbus bike lane from my window. Virtually no one uses it. It’s mainly delivery guys on bikes and electric bikes many times going the wrong way. I have sat their and counted the actual number of people before. I see 5 minute stretches with zero bikers even during the day. You people that think taking parking away which causes more drivers to circle, more double and triple parking, and more congestion and pollution are delusional

    0
    Reply
    EBuzz
    EBuzz
    7 years ago

    Will the Citibike stands be moved to the sidewalks? Also, what happens when film companys want to shoot along Central Park West? Will they park their trucks and set up in a traffic lane?

    0
    Reply
    Rob
    Rob
    7 years ago

    Finally, although too late to save the life of Madison Lyden. Thank you, NYC-DOT for making this happen. Please make sure there are strong barriers between the Protected Bike Lane and the motorist lane.

    0
    Reply
    Michael
    Michael
    7 years ago

    So when this is all said and done, if you are driving north on CPW and need to drop someone off they’ll need to open the door into the active bike lane while you block a lane of traffic? If you need to pick something/someone up from a CPW building you’ll either need to go around a block or make an illegal u-turn since there is no place to stop otherwise? Shocking to me that every CPW building hasn’t challenged this decision. And while there has been great concern about bicyclist safety (in a city that could care less if you wear a helmet), what will be done to assure pedestrian safety since virtually no cyclists pay any attention to traffic lights, street directions, or their obligation to stay off sidewalks (on a broader level than just regarding CPW)?

    0
    Reply
    Frank
    Frank
    7 years ago

    It is my impression that many of the drivers seeking parking spots in the early morning are trades people who haul their tools and material to their work sites. They need parking spaces to do their work, and the people and companies that hire them need them to be able to park affordably. Otherwise, these blue collar, often union members, will be put out of work. So eliminating parking spaces enhances income inequality.

    Of course, making streets safer for pedestrians and bike riders is important. And maybe changing the design of some streets can assist with that. But our lazy and self aggrandizing mayor always overlooks the obvious — if the traffic laws were regularly applied, that would have a major impact on the safety of the streets. So, for example, anyone above room temperature who lives in the city knows that bicyclists do not stop at red lights and pedestrians need to look out for them despite crossing in a crosswalk with the traffic light. And bicyclists know that pedestrians may step out into the street between vehicles and against the light. Yet, the administration does NOTHING to deal with this, even though it can easily be dealt with without incurring new capital expenses or taking away anything from anybody. Do you disagree? If not, then how in good conscience can you vote for that clown?

    0
    Reply
    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Frank

    “And bicyclists know that pedestrians may step out into the street between vehicles and against the light.” What does this mean? We should blame bicyclists for the illegal behavior of pedestrians? I ride legally on the streets and cannot count the number of times I have to stop for pedestrians crossing against the light.

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    Reply
    Reasonable People Can Disagree
    Reasonable People Can Disagree
    7 years ago

    This is a terrific first step.

    Next on my personal wish list would be similar bike lanes on Central Park South and Sixth and Seventh Avenues.

    0
    Reply
    Winnette Glasgow
    Winnette Glasgow
    7 years ago

    Not everyone on CPW is rich. Those who bought in when prices were reasonable, $7000 to $30,000 are now the elderly. I wish I could still ride a bicycle, but at 82, I no longer can. There are those who can barely walk much less carry heavy grocery bags. Do you have a solution for them? The area parking garages are expensive and usually full. Will you build more at reasonable rates without the 18% additional tax?

    0
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    na
    na
    7 years ago

    Wow this is awful guess having the current bike lane on Columbus and now expanding the lane on Central Park and removing the parking is just awful—-they can not fix the subway or the bus system. The people with bikes will maybe use it I do not think so —a waste of money

    0
    Reply
    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  na

    The city controls the bike lanes. The state controls the biuses and subways. That’s part of the problem.

    0
    Reply
    Joey
    Joey
    7 years ago

    Will the Thanksgiving Parade be able to maneuver on a narrower CPW?

    0
    Reply
    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Joey

    They can just clear the parking lane and use the entire width of the street.

    0
    Reply
    Amy
    Amy
    7 years ago

    I think if the bike lanes will be removing parking spaces, then the city must also create “resident” vehicle parking stickers for the available spaces to them ONLY. many spots get taken up by commercial vans, contractors, dayworkers, commuters, and non-local visitors. Those are the folks who should patronize garages. Residents should have street parking privileges.

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    Chris
    Chris
    7 years ago

    Good news! Safer streets for everyone, including pedestrians.

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    Betsy
    Betsy
    7 years ago

    I thought this was an interesting fact: “The first death attributable to an automobile in the United States took place on Sept. 13, 1899, in New York City, at Central Park West and West 74th Street.” https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/30/nyregion/who-was-the-first-person-killed-by-a-car-in-new-york.html

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    Carol M
    Carol M
    7 years ago

    Didn’t Koch do the same thing ? Using cement barricades all over the city. And they were quickly torn down because cyclist prefer to weave in and out of traffic. And what happens to the buses(both city and tour)that stop along CPW

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    Wahine
    Wahine
    7 years ago

    Does that mean no tour buses will be allowed to stop at 72 st. To let tourists experience Strawberry Fields???

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    Susan
    Susan
    7 years ago

    “Rich” people don’t have to park on the street. They have the money to pay for expensive garages. Has anybody thought about all the overnight doormen, porters, caregivers, stock clerks, and others who have to drive to work on the 2nd and 3rd shift for safety? If Community Board 7 continues to remove public (free) parking, the only people who will be able to drive in the city are those who can afford to keep their cars in a garage and those who live outside Manhattan (New Jersey).

    I’d love to see many more people bike instead of driving in the city, but its too dangerous, even with the bike lanes. And unfortunately, too many bikers (especially messengers and delivery guys) weave in and out of cars, roll through red lights and disobey the traffic laws. There are plenty of them. I hate that 18 bike riders have died. How many people have been injured or killed after being hit BY bike riders? Eliminating parking is NOT going to solve the danger of driving (and riding motorized razors!) on busy city streets. I think bikes should have prominent licenses just like cars so that when they ride dangerously, they’ll get ticketed just like cars.

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    JL
    JL
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Susan

    I hate to bring reason and logic to a good argument. Pedestrian fatalities from bike collision has averaged less than 1/year. Pedestrian deaths from motor vehicles averaged 200/yr + thousands of hospital visits in NYC. The same “negativity bias” anecdotal “I was almost hit 3 times in one day by Lance” is tiresome. The same 5 complains come up with every bicycle “article” and comments.

    Of course cyclists could behave better, and NO ONE should text when they’re moving.

    I’ll keep posting this video because London is about the same size and make-up compared to NYC.

    https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/video/2019/may/09/do-cyclists-think-theyre-above-the-law-and-does-it-even-matter-video

    I know, facts and numbers have no place here.

    It is still not “safe” for the less skilled/younger riders. The bike lanes will make it safer for everyone. Please look both ways when you cross the street. A bike /or a truck/ or a distracted Uber driver might miss the light. It’s good practice no matter how old or whatever mode of travel you choose.

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    BarbaraB
    BarbaraB
    7 years ago

    This debate will go on and on. People have to learn to follow the rules and laws of the road. This applies to pedestrians, cyclists, scooters and motor vehicles.
    Pedestrians jay walk all of the time.
    Cyclists do not stop at lights or “slip” through cross walks between people crossing.
    Motor vehicles do not obey speed limits, yield for pedestrians, or share the road with cyclists.
    you can create all of the safety zones, zero vision programs, bike lanes, etc. Until the public is educated and follows the rules there will be unnecessary accidents.
    To simply take away street parking, calling the auto owners “rich” is ridiculous. There are people that need a car, for work, because they are disabled and public transportation is not available. How about installing working elevators at every subway station?
    Last time I checked this was the USA and citizens have the right to own a car. They do pay city taxes and auto registration fees. Cars will ultimately be electric and emission free. A solution could be found that would make all safe and happy.

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    David T.
    David T.
    7 years ago

    I’m all for protected bike lanes. It’s a good plan for calming traffic. I just wish that bikers would use them. It’s very difficult to walk a dog or even walk quietly by yourself with bicyclists bearing down from in front of you or whizzing from behind you. Bicyclists (not all, of course) don’t seem to have manners or a sense of safe-mindedness. This is particularly true of restaurant delivery people.

    What do people think of requiring all bicycles to be licensed and have their license numbers prominently displayed. It sounds like a huge undertaking, but it might give some of the whizzers pause.

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    AB
    AB
    7 years ago

    What is going to happen with the people who take the bus on Central Park West and are disabled or older. How are they going to get off and on the bus.
    Bikers I found do not obey the traffic laws and stop at a red light, they just zip threw, they are the dangerous ones

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    Judi
    Judi
    7 years ago

    Central Park West is adjacent to Central Park. Bikers have protected biking in the park all day. It is parallel to the new proposed bike lane on CPW. Why do we need another bike lane so close to CPW?? Today I was driving from my office near Columbus Circle and coming around to CPW the traffic was stopped. Due to the moving of the police cars and the bike lane there is now a single lane that traffic to pass. A truck was also double parked. This proposal is horrible and will only cause more problems

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    syd
    syd
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Judi

    Once you are in the park there are very few places to exit. There are almost no places to exit where you don’t have to get off your bike and walk a few minutes.
    With its hills and winding paths the park is great for a recreational ride but if you are commuting or have to make a couple of stops in the neighborhood it is not workable.

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    Kelvin
    Kelvin
    7 years ago

    How about investing in bus lanes where everyone including the disabled and elderly WHO CANNOT BIKE can benefit from efficient transportation.

    Also: where does this judge live? Yes right, certainly not in the affected area.

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    Eric
    Eric
    7 years ago

    I lived on the Upper West side for years, having made good my escape a year and a half ago moving back to America. The idea that NYC can be some sort of commuter cycling paradise is the real fantasy. Anywhere from six to eight months out of the year, frigid temperatures with ice and snow make cycling impossible. In the Summer months nobody wants to arrive to work in the condition that would result from peddling in 100 degree temps with million percent humidity. Forget about biking on those all too frequent days with a heavy downpour. I biked a lot in Central Park and never saw anything but a handful of people riding their bikes on CPW and the majority were obviously biking as a leisure activity. So, the city is inconveniencing thousands of residents and the support services that supply the neighborhood to virtue signal to the liberal elites that run the city. I can only hope that those people who dominate the UWS feel the sting the most.

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    Ed
    Ed
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Eric

    Six to eight months of frigid temperatures? Where do you get your facts – Fox News?

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    Eric
    Eric
    7 years ago
    Reply to  Ed

    “Six to eight months of frigid temperatures? Where do you get your facts – Fox News?”

    September through April can be too chilly for me to ride…you enjoy though.

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    Dorothy Parker
    Dorothy Parker
    7 years ago

    I happened to hear on the news last night that it isn’t a done deal. It’s going back to court on Aug.20th.

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    Bruce C.
    Bruce C.
    7 years ago

    I bike, drive, and walk in NYC, and seems to me we all need a bit more empathy for each other. I don’t know all of the circumstances of the tragic accident on CPW when a young woman was killed, but I use that bike lane frequently, and I think it’s pretty safe. This change may reduce the risk of sharing the road, but you could never eliminate it altogether. Biking near cars is inherently dangerous. The dedicated lane is unneccessary, and will certainly impact car traffic. Might make my ride more perilous, what with the coop board at 63rd street out there throwing bricks at me.

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    S. Hayes
    S. Hayes
    7 years ago

    The UWS is and will continue to be “progressive” in our reactions if not in our intentions. Does 5th Avenue have a bike lane? Please. How about Madison? Yeah right. Park?! Tut tut. Sorry SNL, the UWS absorbs the hits and eventually produces a solution, complaints notwithstanding. Once again…thank you CB7 for making us live our best lives, in more safety.

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