A Resident's Tired Of Hearing What Not To Do on Roosevelt Island - No Bike Riding on RI Bridge, No Dogs On Some Lawns, No Baby Strollers On Red Bus During Rush Hours, No NO NO
A guest post from Roosevelt Island resident Bill Long below.
Image From Bill Long
I object to the sign on the Roosevelt Island Bridge outlawing bicycles and on the Rivercross lawn outlawing dogs.
Here's why.
People who stand on the left side of the subway escalator instead of riding on the right really annoy me. I think their behavior is uncivil to those of us who prefer to walk up the escalator stairs.
Nevertheless, I seldom, if ever say anything to these uncivil types because that would be uncivil as well. I think most of the time people have the right to behave the way they want, as long as they aren't causing direct harm to those around them.
I would certainly never advocate that the MTA put up a sign demanding that people stand to the right on the escalators, much less penalize people who didn't comply, even though I consider this behavior obnoxious.
That's why the new signs that have gone up on the Roosevelt Island bridge and on the lawn beside Rivercross are so distrubing to me. These signs tell me I can't ride my bike on the path across the bridge and I can't walk my dog on the lawn. Some cyclists and some dog owners may exhibit uncivil behavior. But why is that a reason to penalize those of us who are deferential to pedestrians on the bridge or those of us who pick up after our dogs?
The administration and leadership on Roosevelt Island shows an unfortunate tendency to tell people what /not/ to do.
"Don't ride your bike here." "Don't walk your dog there." "Don't bring your baby stroller on the Red Bus during rush hour." "Don't open this type of store on Main St." "Don't privatize this building." "Don't separately meter the electricity in that building."
Roosevelt Island will never achieve its potential until we start expanding what people can do. That should be the goal of our leaders. Until that becomes the objective, nothing of value will be accomplished here.
Bill Long
The Octagon
I don't know if Mr. Long is Mad As Hell yet like Howard Beale in Network but...
You Tube Video of Mad As Hell From Network
46 comments :
The bridge is operated by the Department of Transportation, not by RIOC. So I assume it's DOT's rule about bikes.
Mr. Long might or might not be that mad ... but I am. We talk about being a community of inclusion and diversity - but that is only if have lived here a long time, love cats and don't have to handle two children under five on the red bus.
The bridge is dangerous to ride on because of the grating and the dog rules should be the same as Central Park. Why do we support wild cats but ban dogs?
As for making the young mother's lives harder... by asking them to fold up their strollers so more people can get on ... well there are no words for that.
-a fellow Octagon resident
Agreeing with the post and resident above - maybe RIOC should offer a free public etiquette class, since so many people who live here (seemingly a larger percentage than those in any other part of the city) have no idea what common courtesy is or how to act in public.
MP resident
The bridge sidewalk is fairly narrow and for a fairly long portion of it there is no option to move to the side. This means that anyone riding their bike there creates a danger for people who are walking. This makes it a matter of more than just courtesy.
If you go on other bridges in the city, you may find that their paths are divided into separate walking and biking sections for this reason.
This is all just distraction so people don't discuss another summer without south point park or retail space (I know I know its moving forward), and lack of island bike racks, grills, motorcycle parking, and the fastest possible tram service. Every weekend I ride my bike across the bridge with many others, past the no bikes/dogs/fun signs and spend my time and money elsewhere. If RI doesn't want my business there are plenty of other places that do.
Wait a second here. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the bridge that bicyclists have to use the sidewalk. Absolutely nothing! The sidewalk is so narrow that pedestrians actually have to stop and yield if it comes to entitled bicyclists. This is not right. (Disclaimer: I use my bicycle almost daily for my commute and I always use the road - even on the bridge. Yes, it rattles your bike and is not pleasant but it's just for a very short time).
Dogs on the lawn. Personally, I do not have anything against dogs but for some reason there are so many dog owners out there (on RI) who don't seem to care much about scooping up behind their dogs or leaving them on a leash. Sure, you could start ticketing owners or you can just make every owner's life harder. The PSD/RIOC chose the latter - for cost savings I assume (it's cheaper to outlaw than to dedicate an officer or two to waltz around).
There is a reason why regulations are all about no, no, and no. By default you can do whatever you want. Regulations restrict that freedom. And those few things are so easy to obey and don't do any harm to anybody. Just obey the rules.
Too Much Signage!
Bicycles ARE allowed on the bridge, just not on the sidewalk. Notice how it's called a sideWALK? And that's not specific to the Roosevelt Island bridge. How often do you see people riding bikes on the sidewalks around the city? If that's a rule you object to, move to the suburbs.
We should also eliminate any stop signs. Maybe I don't want to stop nanny state. Maybe I can stop on my own without you telling me. Any since we are on the subject lets get rid of those annoying traffic lights. I deserve the right to crash into people. I paid for my car after all.
Maybe those who think I should just obey the rules should consider whether we have too many rules. Good example here. And to those who think I should just move, I'd say from the last Census, it appears there are a lot of people who agree with you. New York is losing population, Congressional seats--and influence. We should be careful what we wish for.
We have so many rules because people living in such densely populated places like NYC need to be told what they cannot do. There is no such thing as common sense. Just like your idea that bicyclists should be allowed on the sidewalk of the bridge. The fact that the sidewalk was never built to accomodate both pedestrians and bicyclists and the fact that it is pure convenience and nothing else that makes bicyclists use the sidewalk instead of the road seem both to be evading your thinking process.
No one is so ignorant that they think riding a bicycle on the bridge path is the same as running a stop sign and striking pedestrians. But I could be wrong.
It may not be the same but it is forbidden because it prevents accidents from happening. I do not know if you ride a bike and if you use the sidewalk but there is too much pedestrian traffic on that bridge and the sidewalk is so narrow that bikes can be a safety hazard. On top of that many think that they have the right of way and keep ringing their bells or shout "to the left/right". Are we supposed to stop and let them pass? Whose time is more important?
Everyone who is focusing on the bike path is ignoring other stupid rules, like keeping strollers off the Red Bus at certain times. Whose convenience and safety are they willing to sacrifice in that case? Maybe some people live here because they prefer to be controlled and regimented, but those people are not the norm.
Dude, You are the one who brought up the bicycle issue in the first place. Are you conceding on this point? Okay, let's move on.
Strollers on the bus. Disclaimer again: I am a parent of young children who all have been in strollers at some point or other. Never in my mind crossed it my mind to impose myself on others and use up valuable space on the bus, rush hour or not. A stroller is so inflexible that one or two of those remove space for 10 or more passengers. Since strollers have wheels and all it takes is for the parent to walk (gasp!) I don't see a problem to keep them off the bus when needed. Do we agree or disagree on this?
And in this case, again, the RIOC had to put up a sign because so many parents feel entitled that their strollers are more important than making room for more passengers. It's a matter of getting along.
No dude, we're not going to agree. But by all means let's move on.
open strollers are not allowed on any city buses as they make it impossible to pass through the aisles. bikes are not allowed on any city sidewalks except for children under the age of (i believe) 14. dogs are to be kept on 6' leashes and cleaned up after.
however, in a perfect world-
during off peak hrs and if not crowded, an open stroller should be allowed on the bus and the owner should fold it up if it becomes crowded.
our bridge is very uncomfortable to ride a bike on (in contrast to an earlier poster with a tuff tush) and is long and inconvenient to walk it across along the walkway. bikes need to be respectful of pedestrians under all circumstances.
pets, well if you see something say something
but all this signage has gotta go.
But they refuse to put up signs about not feeding pigeons (ever notice the amt of disease laden pigeon poop on the island?) nor about taking 2 parking spaces in Motorgate!
I once saw a bicycalist get seriously hurt because he was trying to pass pedestrians on the sidewalk across the bridge. He got too close to the edge of the sidewalk and fell right off on to the road service where he was struck by a Fresh Direct delivery truck. I think it's safer for everyone (bikers and pedestrians) if the riders stay on the road -- or just dismount and walk with your geeky little bike.
I guess the word I was looking for there was "bicycler".
I agree with the comment that bicyclists should stay on the road
OR walk the sidewalk. This is common practice and rule most everywhere.
Some of the bicyclists I have met
on Roosevelt Island bridge were not only try to pass but try to bully pedestrians.They were not delivery persons but recreational cyclists.
What about a sign reminding people not deal drugs in front of the M & D Deli? (Or at the playground near Blackwell House)
how about some more signs about parents cleaning up after their kids in the parks.
more signs, more signs, more signs ...
Should just be one big sign: This place is dysfunctional. Always has been, always will be. Deal with it.
Amazing how a little common sense can go a long way. That we need readers to state the obvious. Of course you're suppose to walk the bicycle over the bridge!
Per dogs, I wish we could trust those lazy dog-owners. Dog-owners typically don't have a lot of common sense and exhibit selfish behavior.
Per escalators, depends on whether you're talking about the wide escalator or the narrow one, [currently being repaired]. The wide escalator should allow for individuals to pass on the left, but the narrow one should not. Simple, isn't it?
IslandTigger, ROTFL
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