Showing posts with label Roosevelt Island Bridge Bicycle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roosevelt Island Bridge Bicycle. Show all posts

Monday, December 12, 2022

Roosevelt Island Residents Join With NYC Council Members Julie Menin, Julie Won And NYC DOT Manhattan Commissioner Ed Pincar To Celebrate Installation Of Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Safety Covering Over Dangerous Metal "Industrial Cheese Grater" Surface - And It Only Took 11 Years Of Pleading

On August 16, 2011, Roosevelt Islander Online reported:

Roosevelt Island resident Jonathan Clements shares this email message he sent to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) last Wednesday, August 10:

I'm a Roosevelt Island resident. I'm also an avid bicyclist -- and I have a suggestion. It's great that a lane is set aside for cyclists crossing the bridge into Queens. But it would be helpful if the bridge's metal grill were covered by some sort of mat. You may not be aware of this, but -- when it rains -- metal-grill bridges are like sheets of ice if you're a cyclist, especially if you're on a road bike with thin tires. I was reminded of this on Sunday: My son and I were crossing the bridge on our bicycles early on Sunday morning, after the rain had stopped, and as soon as we hit the metal grill, we both started sliding. We immediately got off our bikes and walked them across....

... UPDATE 8/17 - Mr. Clements received this reply from the RIOC Dirctors yesterday:

Thank you for your attention to the quality of life on Roosevelt Island. We at RIOC appreciate your help in working to make this island even better. The Roosevelt Island bridge work is being performed and overseen by the Department of Transportation (DOT) and is not under RIOC's jurisdiction. Please contact DOT's Director of Community Affairs,...

... UPDATE 8/18 - Mr. Clements contacted the DOT with his concerns about safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge metal grill bike lanes. He received this response:

Thank you for your email regarding the improvement of bike mobility and safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge. We have forwarded your message to the appropriate unit in DOT Bridges for review. We will provide you with their determination.

9 years later, efforts to get a safe Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane surface covering were still a work in progress.

After more than 11 years of pleading by residents, including petitions and urgings from elected officials, the NYC Department of Transportation last month finally began the installation of a safe surface covering over the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane metal "industrial cheese grater".

Last Friday, December 9, NYC Council Members Julie Menin & Julie Won together with Roosevelt Island residents Paul Krikler and Lynn Shinozaki (both Manhattan Community Board 8 members) and NYC DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar celebrated the installation of the new Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane surface safety covering by cycling from Queens to Roosevelt Island.

I spoke with the group after they crossed the Roosevelt Island Bridge. Here's what they had to say.

Commissioner Pincar reported the cost of the 300 polymer panels used to cover the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane metal grating was under $100 Thousand. Commissioner Pincar added if the winter and summer testing pilot stage is successful, the surface coverings could be used on other NYC bridge bike lanes. 

According to this release from Council Member Menin's office: 

Council Members Julie Menin and Julie Won joined Manhattan Borough Commissioner of the Department of Transportation Edward Pincar Jr. today to celebrate the success of the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane pilot project. The installation of new smooth and weather-resistant material makes the bike lane safer for cyclists in both wet and dry conditions.

Constituents and transportation leaders had previously advocated to Council Member Julie Menin to address unsafe and unpleasant conditions for bike riders on the Roosevelt Island Bridge: riders previously had to ride over the same metal “cheese grater-like” material that automobiles drove over on the drawbridge. This surface could be especially hazardous in inclement weather.

Working with Council Members Menin and Won, NYC’s Department of Transportation piloted a program to use a new material to cover the bike lane. This was the first time the Department had ever used the material in New York City. The DOT ordered 300 metal panels with flexible delineators from England and installed them in October to cover the bridge’s bike lane. Since the initial installation in October, the DOT has tested the panels under a variety of conditions. The testing is now fully complete and the installation has been deemed successful.

“I am pleased to see the immediate success of this pilot program on the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane. Prior to the installation of these panels, which were first tested by NYC Department of Transportation on the Roosevelt Island Bridge, our cyclists were biking in hazardous conditions in non-weather-resistant slippery metal. I look forward to these panels being used throughout the city to make bike lanes safer. Thank you to Manhattan Commissioner Pincar and my colleague Council Member Julie Won for working together to find a solution for our bicyclists,” said Council Member Julie Menin.

“I support any effort to prioritize cyclists’ safety, from calling on the city to open the south outer roadway on the Queensboro Bridge, to launching this brand new pilot program to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike path safe in all weather,” said Council Member Julie Won. “This bridge connects our neighbors in Queens and Manhattan, and we will continue to push for safer conditions on all of our bridges across our city. Thank you to Council Member Julie Menin and DOT for keeping our neighbors on both sides of the bridge safe and promoting climate-friendly transportation.”

“DOT is proud to launch this innovative pilot on the Roosevelt Island Bridge, improving safety and mobility for hundreds of cyclists on their only available route getting to and from the island,” said DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Ed Pincar. “We are grateful both for the creative collaboration with City Council Members Menin and Won – as well as the hard work of the DOT Bridges team who got this done. We look forward to getting feedback on the improvements from local cyclists in the months ahead.”

“I’m thrilled that the cheese grater has been covered in the bike lanes. In fact, I rode across on Wednesday in the rain and it was fantastic. No slipping. Thank you DOT,” said co-chair of Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee, cyclist and resident of Roosevelt Island, Paul Krikler.

“Thank you DOT and Council Member Menin for helping us with our goal of creating a bike riding healthy New York City. To accomplish this it takes these small steps, creating a safe bike lane, making it easier and better to bike and run here. We are so excited and grateful that DOT and Menin’s office have worked with us to make riding to our incredible island that much safer,” said co-chair of Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee, Lynne Shinozaki. 

The Twitterverse adds:

And it only took 11 years.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:41:00 PM 0 comments

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Monday, November 14, 2022

After 11 Years Of Pleading By Cyclists, NYC Department Of Transportation Installs Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Safety Cover Over Dangerous Metal Grating

As reported in November 2020:

... Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler has been working to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike lane safe for cyclists. According to Mr Krikler:

The Roosevelt Island Bridge and bike lane is under the jurisdiction of the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the metal grating bike lane safety problem has been reported on as far back as 2011...
After at least 11 years of pleading, the NYC DOT has finally installed a safety covering on the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane metal grating. 

Here's what it looked like for cyclists riding over the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane new safety covering yesterday.

 

On Instagram and Twitter, I asked cyclists what they though of the new Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane safety covering. Responses included:

  • And on both sides! LOVING this. This lousy bike lane kept me on the pedestrian path for years. I was polite but it was inconvenient for everybody. This is a HUGE improvement!
  • It's a significant improvement - although I would advise riders to take it slow in the wet.
  • I was on a group ride once where we hit that bridge and two riders got almost immediate blow outs! This has to be better.
  • Haven't tested it yet, but sure didn't like that bridge before, although the destination is wonderful
  • Oh wow. Can't wait to try it. The metal grating freaked me out! I hope the covering is more anti-skid in the rain. That was not safe before!
  • I like it a lot
  • Much improved from a safety standpoint- my tires no longer slip, which used to occur on the metal surface. The WEBike female bike forum is ecstatic about it as well! I haven’t tried it in rain/wet conditions yet however.
  • Beautiful! The old surface was so scary that I avoided riding over it entirely. This change literally helps connect me and my family.
  • It is noticeable (as an aside) how much less noise the cars are making, when the road doesn't reflect the sound back (but rather let it pass through the grate)
  • Curious how traction will be when wet.
  • Tried it once after rain. Was ok. Haven’t tried it during rain. I’m going to be very cautious.
  • It's a significant improvement - although I would advise riders to take it slow in the wet.
  • I don’t understand why they didn’t cover the full length of the bike lanes but I hope it keeps people from riding bikes and scooters on the walkway. It’s hard enough getting my kid to and from school every day without having to dodge those.
  • Still doesn't stop the idiots from riding on the walkway... 

I spoke with Mr Krikler on October 22 as the DOT began to install the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane safety covering.

Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Julie Menin adds:

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 6:10:00 PM 0 comments

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Thursday, March 10, 2022

Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub On Roosevelt Island Hosting NYC Open Data Session On Bike Safety Friday March 11 Followed By Drinks At Granny Annie's - Any Solutions For Unsafe Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane?

The Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub at Roosevelt Island is hosting an in-person and virtual meeting on:

Using Open Data for a Safer and Improved Cycling Network in NYC

According to NYC Open Data:

March 11 at 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm Free 

Did you know New York City has the oldest bike lane in America, and one of the largest bike networks, plus bike share programs in North America? 🚲 

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers to this bicycle infrastructure for the first time. This session highlights student research from Cornell Tech that explores the intersection of open data and how the City can enhance multiple generations of infrastructure improvements with a focus on safety. 

Join us to learn how to use open data to understand the past and present, while building a safer future for all in New York City. This hybrid session will be introduced by the City’s Chief Analytics Officer, Martha Norrick, and is organized by the Cornell Tech Urban Tech Hub....

... All in-person attendees are invited to join us for a closing reception at Granny Annie’s Bar & Kitchen, 425 Main St, New York, NY 10044 (on Roosevelt Island). We look forward to seeing you! 

Click here for more info and to register for the event.

How about using some of that Open Data to doing something about the unsafe bike lane on the Roosevelt Island Bridge?
Julie Menin is the NYC Council Member representing Roosevelt Island.

 

A Roosevelt Island resident and bike rider reported Saturday February 26:

I’ve been in touch with DOT regarding the flex posts coming down and blocking the bike lane in great numbers. I tried reporting through both RIOC systems but that didn’t work, so I went through 311/DOT. They responded by putting up these huge orange barriers that fall over into the bike lane (and everywhere else), further obstructing it (north lane):

And now the south lane looked like this on Thursday and Friday:


I’ve reported at least 3x in the last several months. Seems the old flex posts are due for removal and replacement, stat.

When I’m not caught completely unaware of the fact that the bike lane is blocked by debris of the system that was designed to protect me,
 
I take the bridge lane. This is my right as a cyclist in NYC, but inevitably, cars blow by me on the bridge as they can’t be bothered to follow me across.

From my perspective, riding a pedal-assist cargo bike with 2 kids on the back for school runs, this is a hazardous situation we can’t afford to ignore. 

At the very least, we should have signs that alert drivers that cyclists have the right to take the bridge lane. And, RIOC should respond to tickets filed in some way - even if to say it’s DOT’s responsibility and provide link to the form for DOT. If the condition can’t be immediately corrected, signage warning cyclists the lane is blocked would be prudent.
On March 2, the Roosevelt Island bike rider added:
This morning’s offering. I’m not sure why all of these moveable safety objects are placed where they can fall into and obstruct the bike lanes. I’d also note the presence of a large amount of gravel on the shoulder in run ups to the bike lanes on both sides. This appeared after the first snowstorm of the season and has remained since.
An update today from the Bike Rider:
The day of my last email to you, the gravel disappeared, which was great. 
 
The high winds earlier this week blew a bunch of the moveable orange and white barriers back into the northbound lane. However, they seem to be doing better about getting things out of the bridge bike lanes, because that only lasted a day this time. There's still some obstruction in the north lane, but it's better than it being completely impassable.
Roosevelt Island could also use effective bike safety signage like these in Central Park
to advise bike riders not to ride on the sidewalk or against traffic.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:43:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Virtual Zoom Meeting Thursday February 17 - Learn About RIOC Capital Projects, Coler Task Force Update, Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Resurfacing & Nellie Bly Girl Puzzle Presentation By Sculptor Amanda Mathews

The Community Board 8 (CB 8) Roosevelt Island (RI) Committee: 

... addresses issues facing Roosevelt Island such as the protective seawall on the island and land lease that is held by New York State. This committee meets on an as needed basis on the third Thursday of the month.
  • Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Chair 
  • Paul Krikler 
  • Sharon Pope-Marshall 
  • Barbara Rudder
The CB8 RI Committee is meeting Thursday, February 8 at 6:30 PM via Zoom. The Agenda items are:
  1. Presentation by Amanda Matthews Sculptor of “Girl Puzzle” 
  2. Update on Capital Projects from Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation 
  3. Update on Coler Taskforce 
  4. Status of Resurfacing on Roosevelt Island Bridge 
  5. Old Business 
  6. New Business
Click here to receive access for the Zoom meeting.

Here's video from the last CB 8 RI Committee meeting last November 18.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:48:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Roosevelt Island Community Board 8 Committee Discusses RI Bridge Bike Lane Resurfacing, Can WIRE Newspaper Return, Coler Task Force, Search For Community Bank, Helicopter Noise & More

The Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee held an April 15 virtual Zoom meeting. According to the meeting Agenda, subjects discussed included:

Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Land Resurfacing Update - Joint with Transportation Committee. 

Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Capital Projects Presentation. 

Resurrect the WIRE initiative to bring back our local paper. 

Status of the Coler Task Force, 

Friends of Coler 

Old Business 

Status of Community Bank 

Status of Helicopter Task force 

Additional Vaccine Pop-Up site 

New Business 

 Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Chair Roosevelt Island

 Here's the discussion.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 3:03:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, March 19, 2021

Watch Video Of RIOC Presentation On Roosevelt Island Motorgate Helix Ramp & East Promenade Bike Lane To Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Last Night

The Roosevelt Island Residents Association (RIRA) Public Safety Committee hosted a meeting earlier this week where residents both in favor and opposed to the bike lane 

Images From RIOC CB 8 Presentation On  You Tube
expressed their views. PSC Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem noted today about the CB 8 Roosevelt Island committee meeting:

Neither the RIRA President nor I was aware that Prince Shah was scheduled to present on the Helix project at the Community Board 8 meeting. We certainly would have attended.
 
Recently, during February and March’s Public Safety Committee meetings this project was discussed, in detail, and a number of valid safety issues were raised. Many Island Residents, especially those living in Roosevelt Landings were unaware of the proposed bike lanes. The few who are now informed, have voiced objections and concerns.
 
As the RIRA PSC Co-Chair I would welcome the opportunity to ask RIOC to clarify the bike lanes’ purpose for the East Promenade. As RIOC moves forward on this project, we are determined to give Roosevelt Landing residents’ a voice to air their concerns, and insist that adjustments be considered, and made, in response to the safety issue identified.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:25:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, January 20, 2021

Manhattan Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee Virtual Zoom Meeting Thursday January 21- Covid Conversation, RIOC Capital Projects, RI Bridge Bike Lane Update, Status Of Coler Task Force & More

The Manhattan Community Board 8 Roosevelt Island Committee is meeting tomorrow evening. 


According to the Meeting Agenda:

Roosevelt Island Committee*

Thursday, January 21, 2021 - 6:30 PM 

This meeting will be conducted via Zoom 

For access to the Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link.  

AGENDA: 

  1. COVID-19 Community Conversations presentation by Jessica Sanchez from New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
  2. Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation Capital Projects and updates by Acting President Shelton Haynes.
  3. Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane Updates from DOT
  4. Status of the Coler Task Force
  5. Old Business

New Business Lynne Strong-Shinozaki, Chair
*Joint meeting with Health, Seniors, and Social Services Committee

Here's more on proposed Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:43:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, December 11, 2020

Take The Roosevelt Island Bike Safety Survey, Tell RIOC Your Views About About Bicycle Safety, Signage, Lanes, Ramp & More - Should Street Parking Be Removed For Bike Lane

 The Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) is seeking your answers for a Bike Survey.

                                                                     Image From RIOC Bike Survey

According to RIOC:

Give us your Feedback! 

After a successful Bike Safety Town Hall, we would like to present the community with the first Roosevelt Island Bike Survey. This survey was designed to collect opinions from the general public and bicycling community of Roosevelt Island regarding their uses of and feelings about cycling, safety, signage, resources, and education. To fill out the survey,,,

The questions in the survey include: 

  • How often do you ride a bike outside?  
  • What is your general opinion regarding cyclists? 
  • Why do you bike? 
  • Do you feel that the relationship between drivers and bicyclists on Roosevelt Island has gotten better, worse or remains the same over the past year? 
  • Do you think motorized bikes/scooters are a safety concern on Roosevelt Island? 
  • What additional bike signage would you like to see on Roosevelt Island? 
  • Where would you like to see additional bike signage on Roosevelt Island? 
  • Do you think some street parking should be removed to facilitate bike lanes on Roosevelt island? 
  • Where would you most like to see bike lanes on Roosevelt Island? 
  • How safe do you feel riding your bike across the Roosevelt Island Bridge? 
  • How interested are you in a separate bike ramp at the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix?

Take the Roosevelt Island Bike Survey here and watch the October 29 Bike Safety Town Hall here. 

More info on Roosevelt Island bike safety issues at these prior posts.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 4:50:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Cheese Grater Safety Hazard On Agenda For Manhattan Community Board 8 Transportation Committee Zoom Meeting Tomorrow - Sign Up To Attend

As previously reported:

Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler has been working to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike lane safe for cyclists. According to Mr Krikler:

... It’s like riding over a an industrial cheese grater....

... The metal grille surface on the bridge is fine for cars but the metal grille makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride across on a bike. Further, in wet and / or cold conditions, the surface becomes very treacherous to cycle across and becomes extremely slippery. I have seen people slide over and fall....

 Also:

According to a spokesperson for Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos:

DOT is evaluating bike-friendly materials for the bridge deck and will ask for funding in the next budget.
  Council Member Kallos adds: 
Our office is looking forward to seeing DOT's plan and suggestions. Any opportunity we get to help improve the City's bike infrastructure is an opportunity we like to take advantage of,...

DOT is the NYC Department of Transportation which has jurisdiction over the Roosevelt Island Bridge and has been promising to review the Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane safety hazard since 2011.

Tomorrow evening, December 2, the Manhattan Community Board 8 Transportation committee, together with the Roosevelt Island committee, will discuss issues of Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike safety

Here's more info at this prior post.

For access to the CB 8 Transportation Committee Zoom meeting, sign in by clicking this link.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:12:00 PM 0 comments

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Tuesday, November 10, 2020

Local Activist Efforts To Make Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Metal Grating Safe Getting Closer To Success - NYC DOT Will Seek Funding For New Decking In Next Budget, No More Riding On Industrial Cheese Grater

As previously reported, Roosevelt Island resident Paul Krikler has been working to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike lane safe for cyclists. According to Mr Krikler:

... It’s like riding over a an industrial cheese grater....

... The metal grille surface on the bridge is fine for cars but the metal grille makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride across on a bike. Further, in wet and / or cold conditions, the surface becomes very treacherous to cycle across and becomes extremely slippery. I have seen people slide over and fall....

I spoke to Mr. Krikler last Saturday as he was seeking signatures from bike riders on a petition

 asking for a safe surface covering on the metal grating bike lane.
 

The Roosevelt Island Bridge and bike lane is under the jurisdiction of the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) and the metal grating bike lane safety problem has been reported on as far back as 2011.

Today, some good news. According to a spokesperson for Roosevelt Island's NYC Council Member Ben Kallos:

DOT is evaluating bike-friendly materials for the bridge deck and will ask for funding in the next budget.
Council Member Kallos adds: 

Our office is looking forward to seeing DOT's plan and suggestions. Any opportunity we get to help improve the City's bike infrastructure is an opportunity we like to take advantage of,...

Great job by Mr Krikler bringing attention to this issue. Local activism can work sometimes.

UPDATE 10:30 PM:

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 5:41:00 PM 0 comments

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Thursday, September 3, 2020

Roosevelt Island Bridge Bike Lane Metal Grating Surface Unsafe, Like Riding On Industrial Cheese Grater Says Resident - NYC Department Of Transportation Reviewing Since 2011 And Still No Action 9 Years Later

Reported way back in 2014:

Safety for bicyclists on the Roosevelt Island Bridge has been an ongoing issue. As reported back in August 2011:
... I'm a Roosevelt Island resident. I'm also an avid bicyclist -- and I have a suggestion. It's great that a lane is set aside for cyclists crossing the bridge into Queens. But it would be helpful if the bridge's metal grill were covered by some sort of mat. You may not be aware of this, but -- when it rains -- metal-grill bridges are like sheets of ice if you're a cyclist, especially if you're on a road bike with thin tires. I was reminded of this on Sunday: My son and I were crossing the bridge on our bicycles early on Sunday morning, after the rain had stopped, and as soon as we hit the metal grill, we both started sliding. We immediately got off our bikes and walked them across....
and the twitterverse cautions:
In 2011 a Roosevelt Island resident received this response from a DOT spokesperson regarding bike safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge:
Thank you for your email regarding the improvement of bike mobility and safety on the Roosevelt Island Bridge. We have forwarded your message to the appropriate unit in DOT Bridges for review. We will provide you with their determination...
It's now 2020 and Roosevelt Island bicycle riders are still waiting for NYC Department Of Transportation (DOT) to make the Roosevelt Island Bridge gratings safe.

Roosevelt Island resident and bike rider Paul Krikler reported recently about riding his bicycle on the Roosevelt Island Bridge:
It’s like riding over a an industrial cheese grater.



I'm  looking to see if there are other people who ride their bike across Roosevelt Island Bridge and who would like to see a much-improved road surface in the bike lanes.

“I have been coming to Roosevelt Island on an off over the years and now live here. I love how it is so bike friendly and safe. I love that my kids can cycle around in almost total safety. We also have some excellent cycle paths just across in Queens but getting there can be very unpleasant and dangerous.

The metal grille surface on the bridge is fine for cars but the metal grille makes it extremely uncomfortable to ride across on a bike. Further, in wet and / or cold conditions, the surface becomes very treacherous to cycle across and becomes extremely slippery. I have seen people slide over and fall.

Read more »

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:31:00 PM 0 comments

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Sunday, August 14, 2016

Take A Sunrise Bike Ride Up The Motorgate Helix And Across The Roosevelt Island Bridge

Take a sunrise bicycle ride up the Motorgate Helix and across the Roosevelt Island Bridge with Nikolai Galkin who reports:

Biking through the helix and over the bridge to Queens. Note the photoshoot blocking the bike lane on the bridge...)


Click the full screen icon for a better view.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 8:36:00 PM 0 comments

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Friday, April 22, 2016

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.



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.


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,


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

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 2:05:00 PM 0 comments

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Wednesday, October 14, 2015

RIOC To Consider Bicycle/Pedestrian Only Roosevelt Island Motorgate Helix Ramp To Street - Cornell Tech & AKRF Engineers To Study Feasibility


As reported September 21:
... On Wednesday, September 9, the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC) Operations Advisory Committee rejected banning bicycles from the Roosevelt Island Bridge Helix. Instead RIOC will seek to improve safety with better signage, road striping and education as well as examining if the broken Motorgate Atrium escalator can be fixed so bicycle riders can use it instead of the helix ramp....




During last evening's (October 13) RIOC Operations Advisory Committee meeting (audio web cast here), RIOC President Charlene Indelicato reported the results of a preliminary Helix Ramp study by Cornell Tech and their engineering consultants AKRF. According to Ms. Indelicato,  the Cornell Tech/AKRF study concluded that fixing the Motorgate Escalator for use by bicycle riders was not an option but there is a possibility of installing a bike/pedestrian only ramp from the Motorgate Helix to the street level at the East Promenade.

Here's Ms. Indelicato advising the RIOC Operations Advisory Committee of the possible bicycle/pedestrian only Motorgate Helix ramp,



next steps for a feasibility study and RIOC Director Michael Shinozaki reviews current bike safety issues on Roosevelt Island Helix ramp.



Ms. Indelicato also noted that if it is determined to be a viable project, the Roosevelt Island Helix bicycle/pedestrian only ramp would have to wait until after the first phase of Cornell Tech is completed in 2017 before being built.

Below is October 7 letter from AKRF to Cornell Tech Director Of Capital Planning Andrew Winters describing in greater detail the plan to study possibility of Roosevelt Island Bicycle/Pedestrian only Helix Ramp.
Re: Cornell Applied Sciences – Roosevelt Island Bicycle Helix

Dear Mr. Winters:

Based on our understanding of the additional scope of work items discussed at our meeting of September 24th, 2015 attended by you and representatives from RIOC and AKRF, we request authorization to proceed with the following additional work items.

Introduction

AKRF is pleased to submit this proposal to assist in developing recommendations to improve bicycle access and circulation on Roosevelt Island, with a focus on travel between the Roosevelt Island (36th Avenue) Bridge and the Cornell Tech campus. This scope focuses on assessing the feasibility and cost of a bicycle helix structure connecting the elevated structure just west of the Roosevelt Island Bridge (herein referred to as “Motorgate Garage Level 4 entryway structure”) to the north-south service road along the East River – East Channel to provide a direct access to a proposed two-way bike path. Also, because there is an interest on behalf of Roosevelt Island’s residents and visitors in seeing short-term improvements, we have included a scope of work to assess the potential for immediate action pavement striping and signage improvements on the helix and its approaches.

Scope of work

Task 1 – SHORT-TERM TRAFFIC, BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN IMPROVEMENTS

AKRF will perform a site visit to inventory the pavement markings and signage on the helix and approaches, which we will illustrate in CAD drawings. As-built drawings of the helix and Motorgate Garage Level 4 entryway structure are required for this task and are expected to be provided by RIOC. If drawings cannot be furnished, we have included a contingency task for AKRF to collect the necessary geometric data. We will collect a photo inventory during both day and night time periods to illustrate driver points-of-view during various lighting conditions, and the ability to see pavement markings, signage and bicyclists on the helix and approaches. The physical inventory drawings and photo log will provide the existing conditions against which current standards will be compared.

After a comparison to current standards and best practices for pavement striping and signage, AKRF will recommend striping and signage improvements, which may consist of new signage, new striping, scarification of existing striping, and removal of existing signage. To assist bicyclists and pedestrians with wayfinding, we will include signage recommendations to access the existing elevator and stairs. Although it is not possible to physically prohibit bicyclists and pedestrians from using the helix, additional signage in the short term could reduce the unintended use of the helix by bicyclists and pedestrians. We will illustrate the proposed improvements on the existing conditions CAD drawings. Also, we will provide approximate costs for materials and installation, as we did for the proposed Roosevelt Island Two-Way Bicycle Facility.

For budgeting purposes, traffic engineering studies, traffic signal warrants, AutoTurn templates, and other detailed analyses are not assumed to be necessary for this task since the existing lane configurations, traffic control, and approximate lane widths would be maintained.

Task 2 – BIKE HELIX ASSESSMENT

AKRF will assess the potential for a direct bicycle connection from the Motorgate Garage Level 4 entryway structure to the street level below. We will assess the potential for a two-way helix taking off from the north side of the structure and landing adjacent to the existing service road along the East River – East Channel, which is the location of the potential future two-way bike path. To perform this work, AKRF requires a copy of the as-built drawings for the Motorgate Garage Level 4 entryway structure and proposed landing point area, which are expected to be provided by RIOC. If drawings cannot be furnished, we have included a contingency task for AKRF to collect the necessary geometric data.

The various considerations for this assessment are material (steel, concrete, hybrid), allowable grade (ADA will be followed) and curvature, height and lateral clearances for fire apparatus and bridge inspection equipment, and width of the structure, and effective width of the path on the bike helix. We will conduct an iterative assessment where the geometric constraints (height, width, grade, and curvature) are first identified, followed by an assessment of operational options. Next, we will explore different operational options, such as a shared space where bicyclists and pedestrians mix, a facility where pedestrians and cyclists are separated by striping or a physical barrier, or an all-pedestrian facility where cyclists must dismount and walk their bicycles alongside pedestrians. For budgeting purposes, it is assumed that a preferred alternative will be identified through this process. If the assessment does not identify that a potential exists for a bike helix at this location, Task 2 will be halted and the Project Team notified before illustrative sketches or cost estimates are prepared.

Once a preferred alternative is identified, we will provide illustrative sketches from these two points-of-view:


The sketches will be rendered in color, showing the materials, shadows and dimensions in the same scale as the base photo. We will provide the renderings in .pdf so that they can be shared electronically. If production of the renderings on presentation boards or other hard copy media is needed, we will provide these on at-cost basis, as directed by the Project Team.

We will also provide approximate costs for materials and installation of the bicycle helix preferred alternative, independent of permitting and approvals, environmental remediation, land acquisition, and other costs. For budgeting purposes, structural, geotechnical, hazmat and other detailed site feasibility studies are not assumed to be necessary for this task since this task is the first step in determining feasibility from a geometric constraints perspective.

We anticipate that this work will be completed within approximately two months of AKRF receiving the necessary as-built drawings, or within approximately two months of AKRF’s completion of collecting geometric data if drawings cannot be furnished....  We appreciate you inviting us to meet with you on September 24th to brainstorm ideas to improve bicycle access to Roosevelt Island and to the Cornell Applied Sciences Campus, and welcome the opportunity to continue serving you on this important project.
RIOC did stripe the Motorgate Helix Ramp a few days ago


though Frank Farance points out the striping


being uneven in some spots.

UPDATE 10/19 - The October 13 RIOC Operations Advisory Committee discussed the uneven Helix Striping too. RIOC President Indelicato acknowledged that the striping was uneven, RIOC only had one bidder for the job, but the stripes do the job she said.

By ROOSEVELT ISLANDER at 7:21:00 PM 0 comments

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