A mobile bike repair shop, Velofix, is coming to the Roosevelt Island Motorgate Helix next to Foodtown (686 Main Street) Saturday November 18 from 10 AM to 4 PM.
I ride my bike often and will drag it across the river to LIC for repair because I use it so much. It's really a pain especially if you can't wheel the bike far.
That's when I had the idea to get a mobile bike van to come to Roosevelt Island.
The plan is to have them come regularly Spring to Fall.
According to the Roosevelt Island Operating Corp (RIOC):
Dear Roosevelt Island Community:
We're excited to announce that Velofix, a mobile bike service that offers repairs and other bike maintenance services, is coming to Roosevelt Island this Saturday, November 18th from 10AM to 4PM under the Helix:
"North America's largest fleet of mobile bike shops, Velofix is dedicated to helping you save time, ride more, and embrace an active and healthy lifestyle by providing convenient, time-saving solutions for all your bike service needs. We will be at the Helix on Saturday, November 18th 10am-4pm. Bring your bike early to secure a spot on the schedule, and mention code RI112023 for a 10% discount on your service!"
No prior sign-up is necessary. Visit Velofix to learn more about services offered and pricing (use zip code 10021 on the website).
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.
Today we joined
@JulieMenin
&
@CMJulieWon
to celebrate the piloting of a new surface on the
#BikeNYC
lane of the Roosevelt Island Bridge. This pilot tackled the complex issue of
installing a lightweight rideable surface onto a movable (lift) bridge.
pic.twitter.com/GFC8z5bVeM
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.
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:
The surface had to be durable enough to stand up to weather and construction
loading while providing enough grip on the surface adequate for cyclists in
inclement weather. In that vein, a fiber reinforced polymer panel
traditionally used for trench covers was repurposed.
pic.twitter.com/GxvSvr9wJE
This is the first time the Department had ever used the material in
#NYC. The DOT ordered 300 metal panels w/ flexible delineators from England and
installed them in October to cover the bridge’s bike lane. Testing is now
fully complete, and the pilot is a success!
Celebrated the installation of weather-resistant bike lane coverings on
Roosevelt Island Bridge that will make the bike path safer. Thank you to CM
@JulieMenin
&
@NYC_DOT for
keeping our neighbors on both sides of the bridge safe & promoting
climate-friendly transportation!
https://t.co/d0gLUX1SrZpic.twitter.com/uSFuqLz6cf
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:
Once successful, this surface covering can be replicated around the city over metal grating structures to allow for smoother rides for cyclists. Thanks to @RooseveltIsland for first reporting as well. https://t.co/rpxK8ejbUq
Register for a great Open Data Week event at
@cornell_tech
! Hear and discuss how open data can help us better understand and improve
bike lanes and city streets. Attend in-person or virtually, in conjunction
with
@BetaNYC and
@NYCAnalyticshttps://t.co/3xaDHEAE6N
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!
Julie Menin
is the NYC Council Member representing Roosevelt Island.
I can attest to that issue as well as if you try riding over on certain
bikes aka a road bike the grates will pop the tires. Multiple tires blown
just by riding over.
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
This is the result of great advocacy from neighbors like Paul. Last night,
CB8’s Roosevelt Island Committee passed a resolution supporting this. We
also called on our state legislators to identify how projects like this can
be expedited—2 years for a ramp and bike lane is absurd.
https://t.co/gUOycjkqh4
There is growing opposition to portions of Roosevelt Island bike ramp/lane
who are concerned its a safety hazard to pedestrians, elderly, disabled and
parents with strollers who currently use narrow pathways that are planned
for bike lanes. What about their concerns.
@RiocCeohttps://t.co/JZMcdaBep5
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.
The Roosevelt Island Resident Association’s (RIRA) Public Safety Committee (PSC) is hosting a virtual Zoom Conversation with
Roosevelt Island Public Safety
Director Chief Kevin Brown tonight, March 16th, 2021 at 7:00pm.
According to RIRA PSC Chair Erin Feeley-Nahem:
Please join us for an update from Chief Brown on what the Public Safety
Department (PSD) is doing to ensure the community’s safety during these
unprecedented times. Your ideas, and concerns, will be acknowledged and
discussed during the open dialogue with Chief Brown, scheduled following the
presentations.
the Public Safety Committee (PSC) asks for your thoughts on
this project, and on the proposed redirection
of bike traffic, away from Main Street, and on to the East Promenade. The
area directly behind Roosevelt Landings is considered by many Roosevelt
Landing tenants to be part of their “back yard” and is utilized as a place
to gather, for children to play, or to walk their dogs. As it is also
utilized by runners and bicyclists some feel its mix use creates unsafe
conditions now.
Our thoughts voiced, can provide RIOC and the PSD with the opportunity to
reassess the “clarity of purpose” for this project, with consideration of
your needs, so the continuing development plans ensure the safety of all
individuals and families who utilize this area.
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,,,
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....
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,...
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.
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:
Here’s link to show support for fixing Roosevelt Island Bridge bike lane metal grating https://t.co/R9xUi6zev2
RIOC, along with local elected officials and guests from Citi Bike/Lyft, Bike New York, and 511NY Rideshare, will be hosting a Bike Safety Virtual Townhall to discuss questions and concerns, as well as provide needed information to cyclists riding on Roosevelt Island.
Join us on Thursday, October 29th at 6:30 PM, via Zoom. Registration is required for this event. To register or submit questions, email: RIBikeSafety@rioc.ny.gov
With the increasing number of bicyclists on Roosevelt Island, safety has been a growing concern on the part of pedestrians, be they elderly, children or anybody walking on the sidewalk, waterfront promenade perimeter, park pathways or crossing the street. Green Roosevelt Island Neighbors (GRIN) founder Anthony Longo reported an incident this weekend which is, unfortunately, all too common. According to Mr Longo:
As I’m sure you have seen, issues with bike riders have increased on the island lately. RIOC’s signs seem to have only made it worse. I can’t even count the amount of near misses I’ve seen on the sidewalk behind 480. People live tweeting their Citi bike adventures while they ride between small children and pets. Or just dinging their bell without slowing down, expecting people to move out of their way. I had a guy the other day holler at me, as he rode past, that it was no longer a sidewalk.
I witnessed an incident yesterday that I cannot ignore. It happened just passed the RIOC offices on the east promenade before the RI bridge. Ironically where the path is at its widest. I was speaking to an elderly friend of mine, and her caretaker. A south bound, unmasked, biker (not a Citi bike) approached. Instead of yielding to the pedestrians he chose to make a derogatory comment to the caretaker as he tried to blow right between them. I stepped in front of him so he had to stop. I asked him if he seriously thought that it was their responsibility to move out of his way. Apparently he did. He made another comment to that end and rode on....
... There is not enough time in the day for me to call PSD every time I see something like this. I filled out a RIOC tikkit just to have it on record. I do not expect much to come with that though. It’s only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.
A parent recently wrote:
The CITIBIKES freely operate wherever they want including the riverwalks/sidewalks even in presence of public safety. I called public safety and I was told to call RIOC and I did. I was told that it will be referred to management and look into the contract they had with CITIBIKE.
There has always been posted rules and signs in the island to protect us all. There should be designated bike lanes only.
A group of Roosevelt Island resident bike riders recently got together to form "Roosevelt Island Street Safety Advocates (RISSA). The aim of RISSA is to start a conversation and develop a program for Roosevelt Island Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety. Take a look at their suggestions and let's start a conversation for the benefit of bike riders and pedestrians.
Responsible bikers ❤️ For the ones not so experienced, we need to paint a green bike path for a visual cue. Also, the bike lanes should start at each @CitiBikeNYC station leading to the main lane—-“Follow the Green Brick Road”. pic.twitter.com/kLjfLNUl54
The signs are not easily visible. There is no map at the @CitiBikeNYC stations showing where and how to bike on our island. We need dedicated bike lanes with large markings on the street.
It is easy, just look how it is done elsewhere in bike-friendly cities.
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:
I hate riding my bike to roosevelt island simply because i feel like ima slip and die on that metal bridge
— keyser söze (@JayPaperStaxX) June 19, 2013
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.
Roosevelt Island is a mixed income, racially diverse waterfront community situated in the East River of New York City between Manhattan and Queens and is jurisdictionally part of Manhattan. The Roosevelt Island Tramway, which connects Roosevelt Island to the rest of Manhattan, has become the iconic symbol of Roosevelt Island to its residents.
The Purpose of this Blog is to provide accurate and timely information about Roosevelt Island as well as a forum for residents to express opinions and engage in a dialogue to improve our community.
