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Some Cyclists Think Bike Lanes Are "Death Traps"
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 24, 2011
Modified Apr 24, 2011
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Courtesy Felix Salmon, with photo composite by B. Nunn
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Apr 24, 2011
Modified Apr 24, 2011
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It's safe to say that the bickering over the city's bike lanes will literally never come to an end, and apparently anti-bikers don't even need to get in on the conversation for there to be conflict. A few vocal bikers are complaining about some of the new bike lanes, specifically the ones built in between sidewalks and rows of parked cars, saying bikers have to not only dodge parked cars, but pedestrians too. "They're death traps and they're very poorly designed," biker Dan Durller told WSJ. Would it help if drivers stopped being jerks too?
In response to the DOT's asking bikers to not be jerks, one biker is asking drivers to take a pledge not to drive like "assholes." The pledge includes sticking to the 30 MPH speed limit, giving bikers adequate passing space and keeping bike lanes clear. But where will the valets go? The DOT's campaign (now called the "Bike Smart Pledge") asks pretty much the same of bikers, requesting them to stop at red lights, ride in the direction of traffic and stay off the sidewalks.
Some bikers are just thankful that there are bike lanes at all, and prefer to spend their time setting a good example. "It's New York City, nothing is perfect. Somebody is always going to be parked in your bike lane," said Andrew Crooks, the owner of NYC Velo. "I choose to maybe take the higher ground as a cyclist and say you know what, 'I'll follow the rules, hoping that other people follow.'" And as bike lane lover Deputy Mayor Howard Wolfson wrote on Twitter, "WSJ quotes cyclist calling protected bike lanes 'death traps.' # of cyclists killed in protected bike lanes? 0."
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