Friday, February 18, 2011

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association President Explains Need For Pedestrian Safety Barrier For Entire Roosevelt Island Bridge

Image Of Queens Side Of Roosevelt Island Bridge With No Safety Barrier Today

Several readers of yesterday's post regarding the installation of a pedestrian safety barrier on the Queens side of the Roosevelt Island Bridge did not see the need for one.
I've been using this bridge for so long with my children and I've never had the need for extra barriers. Maybe I am not paranoid enough or maybe because I believe that we are already bubble-wrapping out lives way too much. Watch your kids and all will be fine.

That said, what I do miss about the new bridge are bicycle lanes. The grate makes it nearly impossible for bikes to use the bridge and most end up riding on the sidewalk. That, IMHO, is way more dangerous than a missing fence.
and
... no need for the safety barrier. I lived here over twenty years and never was this a problem. As you can see from the pick, they did put down a white line...
and:
The safety barrier keeps people from jumping. There is no need for a second walkway. The triboro and queensboro both have one walkway each. If you look at the structure, the roadway and walkway are within the bridge lines. Adding a second walkway means you would have to add a suspended structure and more weight to a bridge that has to go up and down.
Roosevelt Island Disabled Association (RIDA) President Jim Bates responds to these comments explaining why a pedestrian safety barrier is necessary along the entire Roosevelt Island Bridge sidewalk.
As a enabled wheelchair scooter riding person I challenge any of you who feel a barrier is not necessary to hop on a wheelchair or motorized scooter and go on the walkway and see what happens when your wheelchair is about 1 inch from the on coming traffic.
It is nearly impossible for 2 wheelchairs traveling in opposite direction to pass each other on the walkway or a wheelchair and a baby carriage or a wheelchair and a shopping cart.
What about the danger of a slippery surface and children on the walkway or a bicycle coming towards you, (yes I know it's illegal to ride a bike on the walkway, you tell that to the cyclist).
I could go on.
Safety first for all Islanders should be what you should be thinking and saying.
Just do it !

19 comments :

Anonymous said...

I am not getting the wheelchair argument. I've met plenty wheelchairs on the way and we always manage it safely to pass each other. One of us stops and the other proceeds first. Instead of spending more money on this bridge maybe we can just get along and help each other out? All it takes is communication and working together. Of course, we could not do that and install a safety barrier.

Anonymous said...

No one has ever been hurt crossing that section of the bridge. Why when the bridge is almost done being renovated, bring this up?
Instead of a crappy safety barrier, how bout spend some money on Blackwell park? All this money this island has, and they put the shittyest park up i ever seen. I 'v seen better parks in third world countries.

JPH said...

I think the wheelchair argument is very powerful. Trevre pointed out in the other post that it's a decent dropoff from curb to pavement. Any wheelchair or stroller that goes over, for whatever reason, will not remain upright and could be a sitting duck for traffic. It would only take one bad accident for everyone to regret there's no barrier.

Anonymous said...

I agree with JPH - safety barrier on the bridge walkway is needed.

Anonymous said...

Call the DOT. They are responsible.

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