Watch Roosevelt Island Resident And Bike New York Community Outreach Director Sharon Pope-Marshall Moderate Cycling: How Women Make It Work Conversation With Reps From Lyft Citibike, Black Girls Bike And Get Women Cycling

Roosevelt Island resident and Bike New York Community Outreach Director Sharon Pope-Marshall moderated a Bike New York Spoke Series conversation about:

Cycling: How Women Make It Work

with 

• Caroline Samponaro of  Lyft Citibike
  
• Lisa Gillespie of Black Girls Bike
  
• and Angela Azzolino of Get Women Cycling
  

According to Bike New York:

While the number of biking trips made by women has been steadily trending upward, the cycling world has a long way to go before the ‘fender gap’ is closed for good. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re honored to welcome three pacesetters whose leadership shines in the realms of cycling advocacy, riding clubs, and bike share initiatives—spaces where women have historically been underrepresented.  

For Bike New York's fifth SPOKE SERIES event, held on Monday, March 22, moderators Sharon Pope-Marshall and Chantal Hardy are joined by panelists Angela Azzolino, Lisa Gillespie, and Caroline Samponaro to hear how they’re paving the way for more inclusive communities. 

Learn about future events in Bike New York's Spoke Series:  

Support Bike New York's free cycling education programs for all New Yorkers:

Watch the interesting conversation.

Annual Roosevelt Island Day Saturday June 16, Community Clean Up, Entertainment, Music, Games, Petting Zoo, Bike Safety, Blood Drive & More - Farmers Market Moves Temporarily To Rivercross Lawn Area For Day

Saturday, June 16, is Roosevelt Island Day. According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC)

Roosevelt Island Day is this Saturday, June 16th. Come out and continue the tradition of celebrating Roosevelt Island in fine fashion! Starting at 9 AM, Good Shepherd Plaza will be full of volunteers, activities, entertainment, games and so much more! Look out for the petting zoo from 10 AM - 12 PM at the lawn south of Rivercross as well!

Don't forget to become a volunteer to get your free Roosevelt Island Day t-shirt! Go to http://signup.com/go/opyuzLp to sign up or check in at the RI Garden Club or Clean-up Crew tables between 9 AM - 12 PM this Saturday.

We are also very excited to welcome The Funktion- a funk, soul cover band- to bring the party to the Plaza from 6 PM - 8 PM.

Don’t miss out on a day full of fun!

RIOC adds:

Due to Roosevelt Island Day activities this Saturday, June 16, there will be no street parking all day from 523 - 543 Main Street, 465 – 475 Main Street, and on the roadway adjacent to the Rivercross Lawn area near 501 Main Street.

The Farmer's Market will be moved temporarily to the area just south of the Rivercross from Good Shepherd Plaza.

More on Roosevelt Island Day at previous post and very needed Blood Drive taking place too



that you can sign up for.

Artist Carlos Molina Paints Diversity Of Bike NY Riders Using Roosevelt Island Storage Container As Easel

We've got some talented artists living on Roosevelt Island. One of them is Carlos Molina

Image From Frank Farance

who is creating art on the Bike New York

Image From Frank Farance

Storage container

Image From Frank Farance

beneath the Motorgate Helix next to Gristedes.

Frank Farance reports:

Carlos Molina is the artist behind the Bike NYC container at the Helix.

Literally, it is a work in progress.

Image From Frank Farance

The artist, Carlos Molina explains:

Read more »

ABC News Video Report Today On Bike New York's Adult Learn To Ride Program At Roosevelt Island

ABC News visited Roosevelt Island today to check out Bike New York's Adult Learn To Ride program being held at the Basketball Court next to Capobianco Field. Take a look.

ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos

Click here for the video report.

The next Bike New York Adult Learn To Ride Program on Roosevelt Island is July 5.

Two Days Of Bike New York Freebies On Roosevelt Island - Helmet Giveaway May 26 And June 11 Bike Repair And Helmet Giveaway For Roosevelt Island Day

Bike New York will host a Helmet Giveaway on Thursday May 26 at Good Shepherd Plaza from 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM.

Also, on June 11, Bike New York will have another Helmet Giveaway as well as a Bike repair shop for Roosevelt Island Day at Good Shepherd Plaza.

Children and Adult helmets will be available while supplies last. One helmet per person.

Take a virtual bike ride around Roosevelt Island.

A @Rooseveltisland bike ride. https://t.co/aPGiRYNCP9

— Mark Lyon (@markhlyon) April 21, 2016

Click on the You Tube Full Screen icon for a great view.

Watch This Very Cool Video Of Roosevelt Island Bike Ride - Then Join The Roosevelt Island Cycling Enthusiasts In The National Bike Challenge

Hop on the back seat and enjoy a very cool bicycle ride with Tony Aldo around Roosevelt Island. Start on Vernon Boulevard in Long Island City, pedal over the Roosevelt Island Bridge to Lighthouse Park, down to the Tram Plaza, up the Helix Ramp and back over the Roosevelt Island Bridge.

A @Rooseveltisland bike ride. https://t.co/aPGiRYNCP9

— Mark Lyon (@markhlyon) April 21, 2016

Click on the full screen icon for a great view.

That was fun.

Would you like to do some real bicycle riding, have fun and meet some of your Roosevelt Island neighbors? Here's how you can do it.

Image From National Bike Challenge

Roosevelt Island resident and bike enthusiast Kent Kurkiewicz reports:

To all Roosevelt Island residents:

We’d like to invite you to join the National Bike Challenge, which runs annually from May 1 through September 30. The National Bike Challenge is a friendly competition to get participants to ride more often, ride more miles, and burn more calories. It is free and open to anyone … you don’t need to be an expert cyclist to join and log miles. The National Bike Challenge awards prizes monthly to randomly selected participants at all point levels. We hope that once you join, it will create an automatic incentive for you to ride more often, and to compete for points with yourself and other riders.

To join the National Bike Challenge, go to NationalBikeChallenge.org and create a profile for yourself. Provide your name, email address, zip code, birth date, etc. Using our local zip code (10044) automatically puts you into the NYS/NYC challenge. Once you’ve created your own account, you can join a team. You will be prompted to create or join a team after you register, or you can defer and then go to “Manage Groups” on your National Bike Challenge profile page. You can search for an existing team to join, or create a new one. A team for our Island, RICE (Roosevelt Island Cycling Enthusiasts), has already been created and we’d like you to join us.

It’s easy to log miles. Anyone with a smartphone can use one of three apps to track their miles: Strava, MapMyRide, or Endomondo. Whichever app you choose, make sure it’s authorized in your National Bike Challenge account (“Manage Settings”). Each time you ride, start the app, and when your ride is done, make sure you stop it. If you don’t have a smart phone and/or prefer to do so, you can sign in to your National Bike Challenge account and log your miles manually. The Challenge awards 20 points each day you ride, and 1 point for each mile you ride.

There is a lot more information available on the National Bike Challenge website.

Thanks and keep riding for enjoyment, exercise, and for a greener planet!

As previously reported, Yawa,

 Bike NY 2014 Learn To Ride Team Winner Yawa Image From Caitlin Goodspeed

a Roosevelt Island resident, was the 2014 winner of Bike New York's Learn To Ride National Bike Challenge Team.

Roosevelt Island Resident Yawa A Gem Of Bike New York - Here's Why

Bike New York profiles Roosevelt Island resident Yawa Kurkiewicz. According to Bike New York:

Yawa Kurkiewicz lives on Roosevelt Island, which she considers to be “a gem” of New York City. As a committed student, fierce National Bike Challenge competitor, and volunteer, we consider Yawa to be “a gem” of Bike New York. Yawa’s also an avid knitter, and, yes, she did knit that beautiful cowl she’s wearing in the video.

Meet Yawa as she describes learning to ride a bicycle and volunteering with Bike New York.



In 2014, reported on Yawa 

 Bike NY Learn To Ride Team Winner Yawa Image From Caitlin Goodspeed

learning to ride a bike and racking up the most miles in Bike NY's Learn To Ride Challenge.

Bike New York is hosting a Bicycling Basics class Tuesday February 16 at Roosevelt Island's Sportspark gym:

A 3-hour on-bike class for adults and mature teens who have recently learned how to ride a bike or who want to improve their core cycling skills. You’ll learn how to adjust your helmet for a safe, comfortable fit, choose an appropriately sized bike, adjust the seat, perform a simple mechanical inspection to ensure the bike is road-ready, start & stop with confidence, shift gears, scan & signal, and navigate around common road hazards.

Click here for more info on Bike NY free education classes.

RIOC Rejects Banning Bicycles From Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix Ramp - Will Implement Better Signage, Visible Road Stripes And Education

 Image Of Bicyclist Riding Up Motorgate Ramp

Reported August 31:

A bicycle rider was injured in a collision with a car on the Motorgate Helix Ramp to the Roosevelt Island Bridge last Monday July 13....

and:

... the RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC) unanimously passed this resolution recommending that bicycles, wheelchairs and scooters be banned from the the Motorgate Helix Ramp during the PSC's August 11 meeting:

Resolution that Bicycles, Wheelchairs, and Scooters Be Banned from Helix Ramp

WHEREAS the helix ramp is a narrow roadway for two-way motor vehicle traffic;

WHEREAS the helix ramp has limited-distance sight lines as it spirals between the bridge deck and street level;

WHEREAS visibility is sometimes limited by sun-glare;

WHEREAS there is no leeway on the ramp for vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting a bicycle or a wheelchair or a scooter;

WHEREAS a bike lane or a sidewalk cannot be added to the ramp;

THEREFORE, the Public Safety Committee of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association hereby resolves that all bicycles, wheelchairs, and scooters be banned from the helix ramp."

The resolution will be debated during RIRA's September 9 Common Council meeting. Even if the resolution is approved by the RIRA Common Council, RIRA has no power to implement such a ban. However, RIOC could use the RIRA resolution as an indication of Roosevelt Island community wishes to ban bicycles from the Helix Ramp and implement such a ban....

Google Street View Image Of Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix Ramp

The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee discussed issue of bicycle and vehicle safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix at it's September 8 meeting last night. (full audio web cast of meeting here, bike helix discussion starts approximately 1 hour 8 minute mark).

RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki began the discussion saying:

I don't really think it's safe for cyclists to be on the helix because of the nature of car and truck traffic on there. The problem is we need to come up with a viable alternative. In the past we had the escalator that went from the platform straight down and people used the escalator...

The escalator has been closed for many years without an explanation for the reason.

 Image Of Non-Working Roosevelt Island Motorgate Atrium Escalator To Helix

RIOC President Charlene Indelicato said that the Cornell engineering team will examine the escalator situation to determine if it can be operational.

In the meantime, Ms. Indelicato said:

... You can't protect alot of people from themselves....

and bicycle:

... banning is not going to work. we don't have the manpower to enforce it and secondly I think there are alot of groups, not Bike NY, who protest these things feeling it is some sort of infringement on peoples rights and you don't want even more bikes trying it out....

... I am inclined to listen to the experts. We will listen to Bike NY, Cornell...

about bike helix safety issues.

RIOC Director Howard Polivy summarized the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix bike safety initiatives saying RIOC:

... will look at stripes, signs and sight lines...

 Current Helix Ramp Sign To Use Motorgate Elevator

Here's 6 minute portion of the RIOC Operations Advisory Committee discussion of Helix Bike Safety,



the full 27 minute discussion,



and Helix bike safety recommendations from Bike New York.

Proposals to Improve Safety of Non-motorized users on the Helix Ramp

You can address the bike safety concerns on the helix by taking the following cost effective preventive safety measures that various parties can take to keep the every one safe on the helix:

1- Enforce the 10mph speed limit (RIOC, Public Safety).

• ticket drivers who exceed the 10 mph speed limit.
• install a speed display sign so people know how fast they are going on the helix, with an additional sign noting the helix ramp is 10mph.
• install speed humps or bumps that keep vehicle speeds under the limit.
• Work with DOT, PSD, or Bike New York to pass out Vision Zero information and bumper stickers or other Helix-specific safety information at the top of the helix.

2. Enforce the Helix no passing zone (RIOC, PSD).

• maintain the center “no passing zone” stripes, which wear off quickly due to large vehicles negotiating the tight turn.
• Make the “No Passing Zone” sign stronger. How about “Don’t even think of passing here” sign?
• Install flexible bollards on the center stripe.

3. Enforce against dangerous cycling behaviors, especially wrong way cycling (against traffic) and not using lights at night (RIOC PSD).

4. Interpret & Apply the “Share the Road” signage on the helix. Most motorists and many cyclists don’t know what sharing the road looks like in practice. Under state law NYS VAT § 1234 cyclists may “take the lane” when the lane is too narrow to share side-by-side with an over-taking vehicle to prevent dangerous passing. Given that the helix is a two-way road with a narrow single lane, and constricted sight lines both motorists and cyclists should understand how to share it safely. And sharing in this context does not mean that it’s the job of the cyclist to get out of the motorist’s way. The helix ramp is short—it’s not a huge inconvenience for a motorist to wait behind a cyclist until the cyclist clears the helix. Cyclists should take the lane on the helix because it is too narrow for safe passing.

• paint “sharrow” symbols in both directions in the center of the helix lanes (RIOC) indicating to all users that cyclists should take the lane on the helix. (RIOC)
• conduct public education campaign about what “Sharing the Road” on the Helix means in practice. (Bike New York, RIOC, PSD) with fliers
• Create a short video on how all users should safely share the helix. (Bike New York, RIOC, PSD).

5. Education

• Work with Cornell construction contractors so that truck drivers understand the reasonable and safe driving limits utilizing short safety classes, the video, friendly flyering at construction sites. (Bike New York)

• Conduct bike safety education campaign so that cyclists use best practices for using the helix, including use of lights at night, not riding against traffic, and “taking the lane” on the helix. (Bike New York)

Frank Farance shares this video of bicyclists riding down the helix ramp



and prepared this Helix Ramp Safety Report.

Roosevelt Island Bike Helix Safety Report

RIRA is meeting 8 PM tonight at the Good Shepherd Community  Center (543 Main Street) to vote on the Public Safety Committee resolution banning bikes from the Helix.

Without RIOC's approval, RIRA's resolution approving banning bikes from Helix means nothing.

UPDATE 10:30 PM - The RIRA Common Council did not vote on the helix bike ban resolution but sent it back to the Public Safety Committee for further review.

UPDATE 11:30 PM - Here's the RIRA Common Council discussion.

Ban Bicycles, Wheelchairs & Scooters From Motorgate Helix Ramp For Safety Says Roosevelt Island Residents Association Public Safety Committee - Prudent Safety Measure Or Overreaction To One Accident In Many Years?

Reported last July 16:

A bicycle rider was injured in a collision with a car on the Motorgate Helix Ramp to the Roosevelt Island Bridge last Monday July 13.

and at the request of the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):

... The issue of bicycle safety on the helix ramp was discussed during the Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) July 14 Public Safety Committee (PSC) meeting.

The PSC unanimously voted to recommend closing the Motorgate Helix Ramp to bicycle riders....

Following up on its July 14 meeting, the RIRA Public Safety Committee (PSC) unanimously passed this resolution recommending that bicycles, wheelchairs and scooters be banned from the the Motorgate Helix Ramp during the PSC's August 11 meeting:

Resolution that Bicycles, Wheelchairs, and Scooters Be Banned from Helix Ramp

WHEREAS the helix ramp is a narrow roadway for two-way motor vehicle traffic;

WHEREAS the helix ramp has limited-distance sight lines as it spirals between the bridge deck and street level;

WHEREAS visibility is sometimes limited by sun-glare;

WHEREAS there is no leeway on the ramp for vehicles to swerve to avoid hitting a bicycle or a wheelchair or a scooter;

WHEREAS a bike lane or a sidewalk cannot be added to the ramp;

THEREFORE, the Public Safety Committee of the Roosevelt Island Residents Association hereby resolves that all bicycles, wheelchairs, and scooters be banned from the helix ramp."

The resolution will be debated during RIRA's September 9 Common Council meeting. Even if the resolution is approved by the RIRA Common Council, RIRA has no power to implement such a ban. However, RIOC could use the RIRA resolution as an indication of Roosevelt Island community wishes to ban bicycles from the Helix Ramp and implement such a ban.

Last Thursday afternoon, I saw bike riders safely going up (with helmet)

and down (without helmet) the Motorgate helix ramp.

Commenting on the July 16 bike helix safety post, these residents react to RIRA recommendation banning bikes from the Helix Ramp.

Mushr00m:

So I guess what PSC is saying is that the Helix is inherently unsafe with cyclists because automobiles can't be trusted to drive slowly enough to not run over cyclists? Brilliant governance.

VG:

How is it that nobody has commented on the fact that the double-striped yellow lines in the middle of the Helix roadway (to separate lanes of vehicular traffic) are practically non-existent? Perhaps RIOC should first tackle this problem for existing automobile traffic before we start commenting on bicycle safety.

Mick Girl:

With Cornell Tech coming to RI, we are going to have more cyclists on the island. Signage is a start, but the bigger issue is influx of traffic & people. Has anyone addressed that? More Red Buses? More frequent Red Buses? Ferry? Eliminate parking on all of Main Street & add a shared bike lane? This is the bigger picture...more student population will mean more bikes, this should be looked at from a long term standpoint.

Roosevelt Commuter:

If safety is your main concern then driving slower is the best way to make sure you're driving safely, whether the issue is pedestrian, cycle, or auto safety.

Yet Another RI'er:

Close the helix for bicyclists instead of enforcing road rules so both parties can use it? What a hell of an approach is that? Typical island reaction to problem solving.

The bridge is already very bicycle-unfriendly... I guess we are another step closer to banning cycling on Roosevelt Island.

Frank Farance is a RIRA PSC member who thinks the Helix Ramp is currently unsafe for bicyclists. He is critical of Bike NY's use of the Helix Ramp,

@bikenewyork Bike NY teaching unsafe cycling, instructors not knowledgeable about safety https://t.co/QDku2k0w40 pic.twitter.com/HCnxXvVQpC

— Frank Farance (@farance) August 27, 2015

Mr. Farance shares this video of Bike NY riders going down the helix ramp



and asserts:

I have serious safety concerns about how Bike NYC operates on Roosevelt Island, and I have made a video showing the poor practices of your instructors here. I saw children be led in a line down the Helix Ramp, which is unsafe for cyclists. I then spoke to the two instructors, neither of which had proper training on Bike Safety. And when I pointed out the safety problems, one of your instructors said: there wasn't a law against it, so if I have problems with their unsafe practices, then I should go get the laws changed. Both are not competently trained because they don't understand bike safety....

Also:

Bike New York is irresponsible in their teachings to kids, such as riding the Helix. This is unsafe, and now will have kids thinking this is safe to do. The instructors lack knowledge about safety, they are poorly trained, and have poor attitudes towards safety.According to RIOC/PSD staff, Bike New York has had these kids come down the ramp in the mix of CEMENT TRUCKS and other large vehicles....

According to Bike NY representative: 

The safety concerns surrounding the helix ramp have been brought to our attention and we are working on this issue with RIOC.

I asked Mr. Farance:

Why is it unsafe for bicycle riders to use helix?

The video suggests that as long as there is proper lighting and vehicles go at a slow speed, the helix should be safe for bicycles.

Also, the lack of visible stripes separating the up and down lanes for portions of the helix may be a significant contributor to helix safety issues.

Why not fix the lane stripes before drastic remedy of banning bikes?

I am aware of only the 1 recent accident on the helix ramp for many years.

Have there been others?

Mr. Farance replied:

Several reasons why Helix is unsafe. Here's how those children can get run over, see pic for details.

Honestly parents, with traffic situation & nowhere for children to go, do you want you children riding in this middle of this? Of course not.

I've calculated the white car to be traveling at 20 fps (feet-per-second), which is approx. 13.3 MPH. Use standard brake distance formulas (15 fps deceleration, 1 second recognition time, 1 second reaction time), it would take 53 feet for this car to stop, which is the distance of the three children in front of the car. Because there is oncoming traffic, there is no room to move to the left to avoid the cyclists, and for the cyclists, there is no room to move to the right. So if one of those three children were to lose control (a bump, etc.), they would likely be run over by the white car.

All that happens in a split second.

Another reason it is dangerous is that the bicycle path is at a stress level of 5, as per the City's bike path stress methodology, which requires "expert" level cyclist skills. Obviously, the children don't have expert level skills, thus this particular patch of roadway (Motorgate Helix Ramp) is dangerous for their skill level.

Another reason it is dangerous is that there is not enough clearance for vehicles to pass the bicycles.

Another reason it is dangerous is that the children are riding 2-3 abreast towards the bottom, rather than single file.

In summary, just because the video does not show injury, it does not imply it is safe.

Also, you ask "Also, the lack of visible stripes separating the up and down lanes for portions of the helix may be a significant contributor to helix safety issues". The safety issues shown here are not attributable to a lack of lane stripes -- both cars are in their lanes, yet it is unsafe.

There have been some motorists/cyclists who thought this was a one-way ramp, so I agree that line strips should be added. However, regardless of the obvious 2-way traffic and the requirements to stay to the right, cyclists still proceed in the wrong direction. Lane striping does not fix that behavioral problem.

As for only one accident in many years, Good Safety Methodology doesn't require ANY accident to take a response: all it takes is being informed of a safety problem ... unfortunately, accidents are a main method of discovering a safety problem, but there is no requirement that one needs a history of accidents before taking action. Imagine if that were true: the parent complaining loudly that their child were injured when the safety problem was already known ... would you be telling that parent "well, we need at least 3 serious accidents before taking any action".

Aside from that not making sense, that is not how safety practitioners work, such as the National Transportation Safety Board ... no need to wait for an actual accident to take corrective action on a safety issue.

I have confirmed with RIOC that this is their position too: no need to wait for more accidents to address a safety issue.

If bicycles, scooters and wheelchairs are banned from the Motorgate ramp, they will have to use the Motorgate elevators or stairs

to and from Roosevelt Island. Another option discussed was to create a path through the Motorgate garage to access Roosevelt Island to and from the Roosevelt Island Bridge rather than from the Helix Ramp.

Will bike and scooter riders, including food delivery bikes and scooters coming from Queens to Roosevelt Island, use any of these alternative options to the Helix Ramp?

RIRA member Mickey Rindler adds:

The proposal to ban Bicycles from the Helix put forward by the RIRA Public Safety Committee is a MISGUIDED idea coming from people who know little about bicycles or bike safety. The RIRA Common Council should be supporting measures that promote the safety of ALL residents, including bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorists.

I have ridden my bike and driven my car on the helix hundreds of times and I know precisely what the dangers are. If the committee had bothered to ask cyclists who use the bridge and helix, they would have learned that we are uniformly against such a restriction. We don’t want to be protected by people who think they are doing the right thing. The fact that this ban is being promulgated because there was a single recent bicycle accident on the helix whose circumstances remain obscure is absurd. Accidents have been few and very far between.

What bicycle riders want is IMPROVED SAFETY on the Island. There are ways to ensure that both vehicles and bicycles can use the helix safely. I note that:

• Descending the helix from the R.I. Bridge is as safe as riding on any city street where vehicles and bikes share the roadway. There is excellent visibility and cars and trucks know to keep their distance and go slow. I have never seen anyone fall off their bike (or wheelchair for that matter and I’ve seen many go down and a few go up — including one just last night).
• Riding up the helix is more problematic as drivers ascending behind the bikes cannot see around the curve. However, there are solutions like pruning the tree in the center of the helix and removing the guardrail on top of the concrete barrier going up. 
• The elevator, especially on weekend afternoons when people have carts and groceries, is extremely slow when you have two bicycles — I would say an average of 3-4 minutes slower than riding. If there are more bikes, there are long delays.
• Most importantly, many bicyclists will IGNORE the signs and RIDE ON THE HELIX anyway. Motorists who mistakenly think there are no bikes on the road will be LESS alert to bicycles, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY THAT SERIOUS ACCIDENTS WILL OCCUR.
• A BETTER SOLUTION is to post signs saying BIKES SHARE THE ROAD and paint SHARROWS on the pavement. 

Mayor Bloomberg did not submit his proposal for bike lanes and shared roadways to a vote of motorists or pedestrians — no doubt a majority would want bikes banned from roads altogether. The same is true if you allow Islanders who don’t cycle or the disabled to vote on whether bikes should be allowed on our promenades. 

Most disturbing to me is that banning activities that have been going on for decades sets a dangerous precedent. We should also be concerned that, God forbid, a pedestrian may be seriously hurt by a bicyclist somewhere else on the Island. I can easily envision that the PSC and RIOC will want to ban all bicycling. Instead, the CC should be working to support our cycling community and to ensure that such a scenario never comes about.

Proper signage will help insure safety. The traffic sign at foot of helix ramp indicating a 10 mph speed limit and allowing bicycles

is now gone.

Will the traffic sign be replaced?

More comments on Helix Ramp bike safety issues at this previous post.

UPDATE 9/1 - Very good article from Streetsblog on this subject:

... There are ideas on the table to make biking on the Roosevelt Island bridge safer. Banning bicycles should not be one of them....

including informative comments.

List Of Roosevelt Island Organizations Receiving Funding From NYC Council Member Ben Kallos For Fiscal Year 2015 -16 - Roosevelt Island Participatory Budget Assembly Wednesday August 19

The following Roosevelt Island organizations received funding from Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos for fiscal year 2015-16.

 Image From Ben Kallos

Expense Funding:

Roosevelt Island Seniors Association (RISA), Inc. $30,000

To fund programming for seniors at the center offering different exercise classes to better enhance the livelihood of our senior population: tai chi, zumba, pilates, yoga, building strength ,salsa, arts and crafts and computers.

Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc. $25,000

To support a community Youth Center which will operate afterschool and on weekends to offer computer labs, music programs, game room, television room, educational programming, SAT Prep and High school prep classes.

Roosevelt Island Youth Program, Inc. $18,500

To fund piano, drums, guitar and violin lessons to youth ages 8 to 15, beginners and intermediate lessons will be offered.

Four Freedoms Park Conservancy, Inc. $10,000

To support summer concerts such as musical and dance performances.

R&R Concerts, Inc. $5,000

To present performances of classical music at the Good Shepherd Center on Roosevelt Island. With no admission fee and complemented by outreach performances for members of the community with limited mobility.

Main Street Theatre Dance Alliance $5,000

Funds will be used to provide tools and materials for sets, costumes and lighting for student productions for the 2015 season.

Bike New York, Inc. $5,000

To provide Learn to Ride classes for kids on Roosevelt Island and to purchase helmets to give away to kids at these classes.

Roosevelt Island Historical Society $5,000

Funds will be used to support the visitors center, activities including programs, lectures and tours, and maintenance and dissemination of artifacts and historical documents. Support services include landscaping, consumable supplies, and utilities and telephone.

Roosevelt Island Disabled Association $5,000

To fund bus transportation cost: Bus drivers, Insurance, costs to maintain and repair bus as needed. Bus needs Heat and AC repair and repairs of its lending wheelchairs and scooters Communications Phone and Fax and Internet access Postage, Office and printing supplies Paper and plastic Supplies for pot luck dinners held through the year along with a Thanksgiving Day meal.

Island Kids  $5,000

To support the Island Kids Summer Camp which serves children aged 4-10. Activities include swimming, sports, art, science, theater and music

Office of Emergency Management $5,000

To fund CERT Roosevelt Island, CERT UES and CERT Manhattan 8

Capital Funding

Roosevelt Island School - Green roof  $500,000 

New York Public Library [Roosevelt Island Branch] $1,500,000

The full list of NYC Council district 5 organizations receiving funds for fiscal year 2015-16 from Council Member Kallos here.

Also, the 2016 Participatory Budget process begins with a Roosevelt Island Neighborhood Assembly 6:30 PM Wednesday August 19 at the Good Shepherd Community Center (543 Main Street).

Sign up here.

Learn Skills To Fix And Maintain Your Bicycle From Bike NY At Roosevelt Island Sportspark Free Class Sunday July 19

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

We are hosting a free Bike Maintenance 101 class this Sunday from 1-3pm at Sportspark.

Our hands-on Bike Maintenance 101 class will give you the basic tools to fix flats, adjust brakes and derailleurs, clean and lube a chain, and perform minor adjustments that can have a significant impact on your ride quality.These skills will save you time, money, and give you a much better understanding—and appreciation—of your bike.

We encourage all people to register before the class although we will accept walk-ins.

Participants will receive a free patch kit!

Here is the registration link.

Our next summer ride will be on Thursday, July 23rd at 6pm. Meet under the Helix Ramp! 

Roosevelt Island Bike New York Free Summer Ride Series Begins Tonight 6 PM And Continues On Every Other Thursday

Image From Bike New York

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

The 2015 Summer Ride Series begins this evening with a ride around the island at 6pm! Helmets and bikes will be provided. We encourage people all ages to join us!

The Roosevelt Island Summer Ride begins and ends at the Bike New York Storage Container below

  Image Of Bike NY Painted Storage Container From Ashwani Agrawal

the Helix next to Gristedes.

More info on Bike NY Roosevelt Island Summer Rides and other off-Island rides here.

Roosevelt Island Youth Program/Beacon Drum Corps Perform At Bike New York RI Spring Kickoff Celebration

Image From RIYP You Tube Video

Co-Director and Program Director of the Roosevelt Island Youth Program Beacon Adib Mansour reports:

Last Saturday May 30th, our Roosevelt Island Youth Program / Beacon Drum Corps opened BIKE NY’s Kick off celebration with unforgettable and energy-lifting percussive sounds!

The Drum Corps executed a fast paced multi-level performance that started with a well-coordinated beat and swiftly transitioned in other members of the group, culminating with a standing ovation from the spectators.



The students have been working hard several hours twice a week through the RIYP Beacon, rehearsing at the Youth Center with Mr. Herman Kamrowski. Mr. Kamrowski studied music, percussion and ethnomusicology at the graduate level at FSU and has been working with Beacon programs for the past several years.

The drum corps members are looking forward to more performances and the staff is always looking to recruit more members/players. Contact Kaitlyn Abdul or Adib Mansour ((212) 527-2505) for more information about getting involved in the RIYP/Beacon Drum Corps.

The Roosevelt Island Youth Center / Beacon Drum Corps is made possible by a generous grant from the NYC Cultural Immigrant Initiative, facilitated by Council Member Ben Kallos’ office.

Image Of Bike NY Roosevelt Island Spring Kickoff From Caitlin Goodspeed

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports adds:

We were really fortunate to have nice weather for this year's Spring Kickoff Party. We had wonderful volunteers,

Image Of City Council Member Ben Kallos (2nd from Left) Helping Out From Caitlin Goodspeed

a good turnout, delicious food, fun music, and a full program! Highlights included the RIYP Drum Corps performance, the bike decorating contest, the cute mason jars that Daisy Mays BBQ used for their iced tea, the free bike raffle,

Image Of Bike Raffle Winner From Caitlin Goodspeed

 and of course our Learn to Ride - Kids class where most of the children were successful in learning how to ride!

Image From Caitlin Goodspeed

Looking forward to summer on Roosevelt Island. We will have a table at RI Day on June 13th.

There was also the return of the popular

Bike Tune Up shop.

Fun day.

Bike New York Roosevelt Island Spring Kickoff Party Saturday May 30 - Learn To Ride, Pop Up Bike Shop, Daisy May's BBQ & Much More

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Our 2nd Annual Spring :Kickoff Party will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2105 from 11am - 4pm at the Capobianco basketball court. This year's activities will include a Learn to Ride - Kids class, Daisy Mays BBQ, a FREE bike raffle, a bike decorating contest, and more! It's going to be a lot of fun.

Here are some scenes from last year's terrific Bike NY Roosevelt Island Spring Kickoff Party

UPDATE 5/28 - The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) adds:

Please join us on Saturday, May 30th from 11 AM -4 PM at the basketball court at Capobianco Field for the 2ND Annual Roosevelt Island Spring Kick-off Party sponsored by Bike New York. Bring your bike and enjoy a variety of FREE activities for all ages.

Schedule of Events:

11:00 AM Welcome!

11:45 AM R.I. Youth Program Drum Corps

12:30 PM Bike Decorating Contest

1:00 PM Greeting from Councilmember Ben Kallos

1:00 PM Learn to Ride - Kids Class

3:15 PM Tour de Roosevelt Island Bike Ride

Ongoing activities will include: a pop-up bike shop, free smoothies made with a bike blender, information tables from various island and local community groups and organizations, bike decorating table, free bike raffle, chalking and hula hoops, bike/helmet fitting station, face painting and much more!

Food for purchase by Daisy Mays BBQ

Music by DJ Smizno

(Rain date- Sunday, May 31st, 11 AM- 4 PM)

In partnership with the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation

Bike New York Roosevelt Island Art Ride Sunday May 17 - Bicycles Provided If Needed For Guided Tour Around Roosevelt Island To View Interesting Sculpture And Paintings

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

This Sunday is a Roosevelt Island Art Ride that we are doing with Gallery RIVAA and the Roosevelt Island Historical Society. This guided tour will take participants around Roosevelt Island, stopping at interesting paintings and sculptures. We will meet at the colorful storage container under the Helix Ramp (next to Gristedes) at 12:45pm. People may borrow our bikes and helmets. To register, people must email me at cgoodspeed@bike.nyc. 

Also,

Our 2nd Annual Spring :Kickoff Party will take place on Saturday, May 30, 2105 from 11am - 4pm at the Capobianco basketball court. This year's activities will include a Learn to Ride - Kids class, Daisy Mays BBQ, a FREE bike raffle, a bike decorating contest, and more! It's going to be a lot of fun.

You're Invited To Bike New York Roosevelt Island Building x Building Info Initiative Tuesday And Wednesday This Week - Learn About Bike NY's Free Roosevelt Island Programs And Take Bicycle Transportation Survey

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Image Of Bike NY Roosevelt Island Sportspark Class From Caitlin Goodspeed

We have two presentations happening this week that are open to the public

Join Bike New York for a short presentation about our FREE bicycle education classes, programs, and events on Roosevelt Island. You'll learn more about our organization, how you can get involved, and what you can look forward to this summer. We'll also share some important bike safety tips! We'll have light refreshments and free giveaways, too!

Roosevelt Island Senior Center (546 Main)
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
7:30pm

4 River Road Community Room
Wednesday, April 1, 2015
7:30pm

These presentations are part of the BuildingxBuilding Initiative, a Bike New York effort to get more Roosevelt Island residents involved with our free bicycle education classes and programming as participants, volunteers, and paid instructors.

Bike NY previously reported:

Here are our upcoming classes on Roosevelt Island:

Wednesday, March 25: Bike Commuting 101, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Tuesday, March 31: Learn to Ride - Adults, 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm (Sportspark Gym)
Sunday, April 12: Learn to Ride - Kids, 1pm - 3pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Wednesday, April 22: Street Skills Class, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Saturday, May 9: Street Skills Ride, 10am - 1pm (Meet at Sportspark)
Sunday, May 17: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Saturday, May 30: Learn to Ride - Kids, 11am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Sunday, June 14: Learn to Ride - Kids, 10am - 12pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Sunday, June 21: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)

We want to hear from you about transportation on Roosevelt Island! What changes do you want to see? Do you feel comfortable riding a bicycle on the island? Where would you like to see more bike racks? Please let us know what you think by taking our survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes and we would really appreciate it. To access the survey, please click here.

More information available at the Bike NY Roosevelt Island Blog or contact Community Manager Caitlin Goodspeed.

Roosevelt Island Bike New York Commuting Class Wednesday March 25 - Also, Roosevelt Island Bike NY Spring Kickoff Party, Upcoming Classes & Transportation Survey

 Image From Bike NY

Bike New York's Roosevelt Island Community Outreach Manager Caitlin Goodspeed reports:

Learn how to commute via bike! Bike New York will host a Bike Commuting 101 class at Sportspark Lounge on Wednesday, March 25th from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm.

In this 1.5-hour presentation & discussion, we’ll go over picking the right bike, what to wear so you don’t arrive at work a sweaty mess, what kind of gear you’ll need to haul a change of clothes or ride at night, how and where to lock your bike, and much more.

For more information and to register, please email our Community Outreach Manager, Caitlin Goodspeed, at cgoodspeed@bike.nyc or call 212-870-2075.

Also at the end of this month we are launching our BuildingxBuilding Initiative, a series of presentations designed to introduce people to Bike New York and all of the wonderful opportunities that we have here on the island. Attendees will also learn important bike safety tips. Light refreshments will be served and along with some fun prizes! Residents should look for flyers in their residence buildings for more information.

We're also in the midst of planning our 2nd Annual Spring Kickoff Party which will happen at the Capobianco basketball court on Saturday, May 30, 2015. The pop-up bike shop will be back for the event along with the bike decorating station, free bike raffle, Bike Guard program, and more!

In addition to our normal schedule of classes at Sportspark and Capobianco basketball court, we've got some new classes on the horizon for kids and families. These classes have been designed to meet the needs of the Roosevelt Island community, a place where growing families are planting their roots.

Learn how to ride a bike before summer arrives! We have FREE bicycle education classes at Sportspark and Capobianco Field throughout the year. From learning how to ride a bike to becoming a confident city cyclist, we offer classes for people of all ages and skill levels. Please visit our website to register for classes and get more information.

Here are our upcoming classes on Roosevelt Island:

Wednesday, March 25: Bike Commuting 101, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Tuesday, March 31: Learn to Ride - Adults, 10am-12pm, 1pm-3pm (Sportspark Gym)
Sunday, April 12: Learn to Ride - Kids, 1pm - 3pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Wednesday, April 22: Street Skills Class, 6:30pm - 8pm (Sportspark Lounge)
Saturday, May 9: Street Skills Ride, 10am - 1pm (Meet at Sportspark)
Sunday, May 17: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Saturday, May 30: Learn to Ride - Kids, 11am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)
Sunday, June 14: Learn to Ride - Kids, 10am - 12pm (Sportspark Outside BB Court)
Sunday, June 21: Kids' Bicycling Basics, 10am - 1pm (Capobianco Field)

We want to hear from you about transportation on Roosevelt Island! What changes do you want to see? Do you feel comfortable riding a bicycle on the island? Where would you like to see more bike racks? Please let us know what you think by taking our survey. It will take no more than 10 minutes and we would really appreciate it. To access the survey, please click here.

More information available at the Bike NY Roosevelt Island Blog or contact Community Manager Caitlin Goodspeed.

Roosevelt Island Community Update From RIOC - Community Egg Hunt, Free Bike NY Commuting Class, Council Member Kallos Participatory Budget Voting, Motorgate Murals And MTA Metrocard Van

Below is the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Community Update,

Image From RIOC

formerly known as the Report from the RIOC President.

Community Egg Hunt

On Saturday, March 28th, save the date for a community egg hunt, sponsored by the R.I. Residents Association! Fun and games are planned for toddlers and children up to age eight. Many members of the community have already volunteered their time and effort, from filling eggs with surprises for children to helping with all parts of the project. For more information, or to find out how you can get involved, contact sce@riraonline.com.

Free Bike Commuting Class

Bike New York is offering a FREE Bike Commuting 101 Class on Wednesday, March 25, 7 PM - 8:30 PM at Sportspark (250 Main Street). In a 1.5-hour presentation and discussion, the instructor will cover topics such as picking the right bike, what to wear while commuting, what kind of gear you will need to ride at night, how and where to lock your bike, and much more. For more information and to register, please email Bike New York’s Community Outreach Manager, Caitlin Goodspeed, at cgoodspeed@bike.nyc or call 212-870-2075.

Bike New York is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization which has received a grant from a private family foundation to provide innovative pilot programs and free bike education classes to residents on Roosevelt Island. Learn more about their offerings at bike.nyc/education/roosevelt-island.

Participatory Budget Voting: Roosevelt Island Projects

New York City’s participatory budgeting (PB) is a democratic process in which community members directly decide how to spend part of a public budget. As a part of New York City’s 5th district, Roosevelt Island residents over the age of 16 are eligible to vote on how the district’s funds are spent. Next week, you’ll have the chance to vote for projects, such as the PS/IS 217 Green Roof project and A/V looping in the new R.I. library, that benefit your community directly. We encourage all residents to exercise their right to vote and to help decide how tax dollars are spent. Last year, residents voted to bring over $200,000 in funding to PS/IS 217 for upgrades to its educational technology. For more information, please visit benkallos.com/pb.

Multiple opportunities to vote will be provided on the Island:
PS/IS 217 - Mon 4/13, 7:30 AM - 10:30 AM
Senior Center - Tues 4/14, 10 AM – 1 PM
NYPL Roosevelt Island - Wed, 4/15, 3 PM – 7 PM
Visitors Kiosk/Tram - Sat 4/18, 11 AM – 2 PM

Or in Manhattan:
Ben Kallos’ District Office (244 E93 str.) – Mon-Fri, April 13-18, 9 AM – 6 PM

Murals at the Motorgate Gallery

Every year, murals that were painted at the annual Roosevelt Island Fall for Arts Festival are put on display in the Motorgate Gallery, located in the Motorgate Garage Atrium (628 Main Street, underneath the Helix Ramp). In the spring, the collection is updated with newly painted masterpieces from the most recent festival. We invite you to stop by the gallery and to take at look at the artwork before it is replaced in the upcoming weeks.

MTA Metrocard Van

On the second Monday of each month from 11 AM until 12:30 PM, the MetroCard Neighborhood Outreach Van stops at the Roosevelt Island Senior Center (546 Main Street). At the van, you may apply for or refill a Reduced-Fare MetroCard, buy or refill a regular MetroCard, or ask any MetroCard- related questions. For more information on this service, call (718) 330-1234.

Report From RIOC President Charlene Indelicato - Roosevelt Island Public Purpose Fund Grants, Community Notification Alerts, Winter Grounds Clean Up, Bike NY Learn To Ride Classes, And New Compliance Officer

Image Of Ms.Indelicato From RIOC

Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) President Charlene Indelicato sends the following report to the community.

In our first community update of 2015, I would like to wish a happy New Year to our residents and all those on Roosevelt Island. Congratulations as well to the winners of our special RIOC Advisories "Thank You" holiday raffle, in which three lucky subscribers to our electronic community and emergency alert system received a free holiday gift basket.

I encourage all Roosevelt Island businesses and residents to sign up for these alerts if you have not already. Visit us at rioc.ny.gov for more information or to subscribe.

Public Purpose Grant
Letters of Intent to apply for the 2015 Public Purpose Fund were due yesterday, on Friday January 16th. Information about the Fund is available online at rioc.ny.gov . In 1989, New York State established this fund to support the Roosevelt Island community, but the fund became depleted over the years. In 2008, RIOC stepped in to make these funds available annually. RIOC partners with the Roosevelt Island Residents Association, which reviews applications and makes recommendations for funding to the RIOC Board of Directors.

New Compliance and Internal Controls Officer
We would like to extend a warm welcome to the newest member of our staff, Gretchen Robinson. Ms. Robinson, our new Compliance and Internal Controls Officer, comes to us with more than a decade of legal experience, most recently as a prosecutor with the Civilian Complaint Review Board of the City of New York. We are happy to have her as a part of our team.

Bike New York
Do you ride your bike on Roosevelt Island? Have you ever wanted to learn more about bicycle safety, maintenance, and the rules of the road? Last year, Bike New York received a grant to provide innovative pilot programs and free bike education classes specifically on Roosevelt Island. Learn more about their offerings at  bike.nyc/education/roosevelt-island

Photo: 2014 Bike New York Spring Kickoff Party Credit: Caitlin Goodspeed

If you or your family are interested in cycling, but would like to learn how in a safe and stress-free environment, we encourage you to attend one of Bike New York's "Learn to Ride" classes for kids or adults. Check their Class Calendar online at  bike.nyc/education/classes for information or to register.

Roosevelt Island Seasonal Cleanup
In preparation for the winter season, the Grounds department has been readying the Island's fields and park for cold weather and snow. Southpoint Park's greenery, made up entirely of plants native to this region, has received its annual trimming back and will grow again in the spring.

Photo: Southpoint Park's native plants

As a reminder, residents are urged to use caution while traveling in cold or inclement weather. While our Grounds and Facilities departments work around the clock to remove snow and ice from roads and pathways in our community, some areas are prone to consistent icy conditions. If you see any areas that require extra attention this season, please contact the RIOC offices via email at  information@rioc.ny.gov , or call 212-832-4540.

RIOC Advisories
As a reminder, RIOC launched a new and improved Roosevelt Island-specific emergency and community alert system late last year. By signing up online for RIOC Advisories, you will be the first to know about Emergencies, Tram & Red Bus Service, Construction, Special Events and more. Please visit us online at rioc.ny.gov to sign up or for more information. Remember, if we can't reach you, we can't alert you!

If you have questions or require assistance, we encourage you to send an email to information@rioc.ny.gov or to call 212-832-4540 during our daily office hours. A member of our Community Relations department will be happy to work with you to resolve any difficulties, or to provide help during the sign-up process.

UPDATE 1/18 - More on potential Public Purpose Funds roadblock here.