Cyclist Matthew von Ohlen was tragically struck by a motorist on Grand Street in Williamsburg over the July 4th weekend—the vehicle did not stop, and police had reason to believe the driver may have struck him on purpose. Continue reading
Sometimes bad things happen to good people.
Earlier this month, North Brooklyn lost another little snippet of its former self when local friend and famed Williamsburg pizza deliveryman, Bill Meier, passed away. Always known for his spunk and vivacious personality, Bill was delivering pizzas for Williamsburg Best Pizza for years before he fell ill.
Upon learning of Bill’s illness, more than 1,000 friends, family, and local fans took to Facebook hoping to raise money for his medical bills through a silent art auction. Continue reading
It is sad to report that early this morning a 32 year old man was hit on Meeker Ave between Frost and Manhattan Ave and died from injuries to his head, according to Gothamist. The driver fled the scene and the investigation is ongoing. If you have any information, do the right thing and call 911.
It’s mind boggling that someone could hit another human being with their car and drive away. Our hearts and with the family of the victim during this terrible time.
Drivers and cyclists, be careful out there.
To wake up at 6:30 am on a Saturday, you must be nuts, you say? Maybe I am. But I woke up hella early because I was going on the Epic Bike Ride! Just a quick rundown: it’s 40 miles, from Williamsburg to the Rockaways, taking the coastal route of Brooklyn.
Epic Bike Ride was organized by the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. These are the fine folks who have been working with the DOT on the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway, which is a 14-mile landscaped route, physically separated from traffic with separate paths for pedestrians and cyclists. When complete, the greenway will connect neighborhood parks and open spaces from Greenpoint to Bay Ridge. IMAGINE! Oh, the places we’ll go! Continue reading
For the most part, we keep it positive on Greenpointers, but some things should be called out – like the way this bike (with a gigantic baby seat) was parked. I know that giving birth and then living with the thing for 18 years is deserving of A LOT of sympathy, but that doesn’t give you an “it’s okay to be an a-hole” pass. This “wave style rack” could fit 4 -maybe 6 bikes on it.
With the new CitiRacks being installed allover, like this one on Manhattan Ave, there is more bike parking, but those new racks can hold at least 4 bikes per rack, again if you don’t park like an a-hole.
Parking on the edges with either the front or back end of your bike hanging off and not covering the entire middle of the circle, makes it so that more than two bikes on either side can be easily locked to the new racks.
More biking etiquette guides:
Basic Bike Lock Etiquette and Safety (Gothamist)
Bicycle Park (NYC DOT)
Locking Your Bike (Bike New York)
Dudes! The Fourth of July has passed. August is fast approaching. Sure, this constant humidity and 90 degree heat sucks and begs us to stay indoors in front of the AC racking up the electric bill, but we cannot let Mother Nature win!
Autumn’s cool breeze will be blowing leaves in our faces before we know it. We’ve got to take charge and make the most out of the last of our summer weeks. Here are a few inexpensive suggestions to help you end these hot, sunny days with a BANG.
1. Bike to Coney Island
I dare you! It’s not as far as you think. Well, it is, but it’s a pretty flat, easy route and once you arrive you can eat a hot dog at Nathan’s, jump in the ocean depending on how hardcore you are, and then brag to your friends that you biked 26+ miles. Once you get past Prospect Park, you’re on the Ocean Parkway Greenway for a little more than 4 miles. This bike path is mostly shaded and separate from the street so it’s safe and for the most part a pretty sweet ride. If you’re one of those New Yorkers who’s never been to the historic amusement park, I highly recommend it. Heck, I demand it. It’s equal parts awe-inspiring and gross, but will dazzle you nonetheless. Also, you’ve got to ride the Cyclone at least once in your life.
Biking directions from Greenpoint to Coney Island: http://goo.gl/maps/VbWdy Continue reading
There have been talks about the MTA partnering with Citibike to foot the bill for bike docking stations in Greenpoint and LIC given the G train service outage beginning next weekend.
I got on the phone with Citibike and the MTA to find out whether this is happening.
The short answer from the MTA is that “it is being discussed” but “there is no timeline.” Part of the discussion includes the MTA paying for the bikes.
Ronald Leiva, representing Citibike said that it’s “a possibility,” but that I should consider it a “rumor” with “no hard evidence” but that he is “not denying that it is not happening.” He went on to say that there is also “no timeline”, but he did mention that if the MTA were to pay for the program they would get their logo on the bikes. Score! Maybe they could put the G train logo on it.
When questioned as to why Greenpoint was not initially included, he said that the DOT chose the locations which are in more densely populated areas around bridges. Apparently the Queensboro Bridge and our beloved Pulaski don’t count.
According to the Daily News, Greenpoint was in the initial plans which, “were scaled back, and those neighborhoods were excluded after equipment stored in a Brooklyn warehouse was damaged by Superstorm Sandy flooding.”
Leiva of Citibike went on to say that as they receive more “sponsorship” aka advertising dollars they will expand outward and that they will likely expand into Greenpoint, but this may not be for “a few years” – unless the “rumors” about partnering with the MTA become a reality in the short term.
Do you want Citibike in Greenpoint? Were you disappointed when Greenpoint didn’t receive a docking station? Will you use Citibike in place of G train service to LIC?
Originally posted on Brooklyn Cruiser:
“One thing about living in Brooklyn — there are always a lot of neighbors to love. But every once in a while, you meet that one who’s got the je ne sais quoi thing going in spades. Enter Yana. She lives in Greenpoint, bikes Greenpoint like it’s falling off the map, contributes to Greenpointers, and more or less embodies everything there is to crush on about the nabe.
But part of being a local in these parts means embracing the world beyond — The almighty commute factors into Yana’s lifestyle (she works in Soho, “and I absolutely love it.”), as does keeping her heritage close by way of spreading some culinary delight (She does a quarterly pop-up Filipino dinner called SALO — click that, for sure!)”
Read the rest of the story at Brooklyn Cruiser…
Happy Spring finally! We posted this last year and feel that the information is still very important for cyclists and drivers to review. Stay safe!
Spring is here and everyone is dusting off their bicycles and hitting the pavement. Here are some tips on staying safe and making your bike street legal from the dudes at Silk Road Cycles. This is your life we are talking about, so take it seriously!
GP: How do we make a bicycle street legal in NY?
Silk Road Cycles: The three things we focus on are:
1. Working brakes (according to the law, a brake that is able to make your rear tire skid on level ground.)
2. Bell or other audible signal
3. Lights and reflective material – from dusk till dawn)
GP: Are there fines associated with not complying?
Silk Road Cycles: Yes. You can be ticketed for any of the above issues.
GP: What lights do you recommend?
Silk Road Cycles: Both front and rear are a must! Any light that is clearly visible to drivers, but the brighter the better (NYC has a lot of lights everywhere, so stand out). In the shop we have a penchant for USB rechargeable lights. Easier, brighter and they run about $80 for a pair. (They’ll also double as strobe lights for your next party.) Well worth it, if you ask us.
GP: Do you have to wear a helmet legally as an adult? As a child?
Silk Road Cycles: After the age of 14 you do not have to wear a helmet legally. But everyone should!
Purchase a helmet that is bicycle specific and approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission.
You should replace your helmet immediately after a crash and/or after 3 years of use. Over time the foam in the helmet deteriorates. Now and again, look over your helmet – make sure the plastic is still entirely connected to the styrofoam and check for cracks in the foam.
GP: Can you wear a skateboard helmet instead of a bike helmet?
Silk Road Cycles: Legally: yes. With confidence in your safety: no. Bicycle helmets are made for single use high impact. Skateboard helmets are made for multiple impacts at much lower speeds.
Remember the last time you walked across the Pulaski Bridge? You likely were almost run over by a cyclist, right? Or were you the cyclist coasting at a rapid pace with no time to break as you approached a halted pedestrian stopped to snap a shot of that breathtaking Manhattan skyline?
Lucky for us, this danger might soon come to an end.
The city is currently in talks to create a separate bike lane for the bridge, providing a more spacious walking route and a safer way for cyclists to cross from Greenpoint to Long Island City. A bike lane would reportedly replace one of the Pulaski’s three southbound car lanes. The current sidewalk is only eight-feet wide for cyclists and pedestrians traveling in both directions.
The only roadblock (pun intended) is the Pulaski’s drawbridge. According to DNAinfo.com, the Department of Transportation will announce a final decision this March. Maybe Greenpointers will have a safe way to head to LIC just in time for ideal spring bike-riding weather.
