You’re in the Bike Lane, And You’re Not a Bike
Cars and pedestrians are still often obstacles to cyclists.
By Erika Wheless
Bikers in NYC are still seeing obstacles in their lanes. Credit: NYTimes
For many New Yorkers, a bike is their best source of transportation. After the latest death toll of 20 cyclists, many are still improvements to be made to the state of biking in NYC, specifically obstacles in the bike lane.
“I think it’s getting better all the time, there is growing awareness. But drivers need to be held to account more. I encounter a lot of cars in bike lanes that push us into traffic,” says William Clark, a literary agent who regularly commutes by bike from Brooklyn to his office in Flatiron.
This is a sentiment echoed by Mitchel Raban, “I have been riding for many years, since 1976. I’ve been doored three times, before it was even known as ‘dooring’. But I also see people using them as a pedestrian strip, and that’s crazy and they know it’s not for that.”
“I think the fundamental thing is education, people need to care when they drive.” There are times when cyclists have to be on the sidewalk to avoid obstacles.
“I think the fundamental thing is education, people need to care when they drive.”
“The bike laws with the sidewalk, I kind of agree, kind of don’t,” says Afrika Seruiells, 25, a bike messenger. “NYC traffic doesn’t always go by the traffic light, and you need to get around it. Sometimes it’s safer to be on the sidewalk.”
Others just view the obstacles as a part of biking in NYC, that the congestion and level of traffic and people cannot be avoided.
“Where do you want the truck to go? Just go around him and get back in the bike lane. He’s doing his job, we’re doing ours,” says Joe Barker, 43, a longtime bike messenger.
“I just wish cops would stop writing unnecessary tickets. If someone blows the light, and there’s no one there, let him go. Yeah, if five people are jumping out of their way, ticket them. You know I’m working.”
The need for more bike safety is of growing conern, espeically since daily ridership is on the rise.