Juanomatic.net » Bicycling

Six Guidelines for Central Park Cycling

Juan Monroy — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 21:46:08 +0000

For anyone who has ever been in Central Park knows, the drives in the park are almost always overly congested in the warm months. There are walkers, runners, cyclists, and during rush hour, there is the added danger presence of automobiles, and each is competing for precious space in which to move. Moreover, the NYPD had been ticketing cyclists who ran red lights while riding on the park drives. As someone who used to ride a lot there, I can tell you that stopping at each light is not only impractical but a little dangerous as there will inevitably be either another cyclist or car zooming past you while you’re stopped at the light. The cycling community has come to an agreement with the Department of Transportation and the NYPD to not ticket those who go through a red light. But, of course, there are a few who could ruin it for everyone.

Earlier today, the New York Cycle Club emailed its membership asking everyone to abide by six guidelines to ensure that cyclists don’t lose the privilege of rolling through red lights in Central Park. If you please, allow me to reproduce those guidelines.

When approaching a crosswalk, particularly if there is a red light, slow to a speed that will permit you to maneuver; look both ways for pedestrians; always yield to pedestrians who are in or about to enter the crosswalk. Park use is extremely heavy now, even in the very early morning hours. Be alert; be conscientious. Your actions will determine our future use of this precious resource.

Although you may be comfortable passing within six inches of a runner or walker, they will not be comfortable with that clearance. Give them at least 3 or 4 feet. Whenever possible and practical, cross behind the pedestrian. “Yielding” does not mean racing through because you’re confident you won’t actually hit the pedestrian.

When passing a slower cyclist, give sufficient clearance.

Don’t ride in packs. Keep the groups small and ride in a single paceline.

Get a bell. It is the law and is a useful tool in a densely packed park if used judiciously.

Above all be courteous. Creating goodwill here will go a long way towards helping our cause.

Having been in a number of collisions, though none in Central Park or anywhere with a decent bike lane, I think I already follow most of these rules, and I agree that these are prudent measures to take ensure safety in a congested shared space, such as Central Park. These guidelines provide pedestrians a measure of security when cyclists are riding in the park, and they also protect other cyclists, particularly the inexperienced ones who are out in the summer.

However, it seems like I have to buy a bell now.

Multimodal Commute ends in a BLOWOUT

Juan Monroy — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 01:32:36 +0000

Today I travelled a lot more than I usually do and it basically involved taking the subway to Forest Hills and riding my bike the rest of the way to Queens College. Yes, it was a multimodal commute.

On my way back home, I rode my bike through a pretty dark and high speed section of Jewel Ave. I got through it okay but once I emerged in a more residential stretch, my rear tire hit a pretty big pothole on 108th St. And then I heard a loud pop, and my bike was basically riding on the bare wheel. When I stopped I found my inner tube wrapped around the rear cog and all over the brakes, too. There’s a photo below.

I’m still trying to figure out how this happened. I did notice a big gash in my tire’s sidewall, which explains how the tube got out, but I’m still not sure how the tube wraps around in at least three different directions. And now I need a new tire.

Riding to Montauk

Juan Monroy — Sun, 16 May 2010 02:47:06 +0000

This will be a running log of my third time riding the annual Montauk Century. This year will be different because it will actually be a nice day, unless last year’s ride where it rained for the first seventy five miles of the ride and unlike 2008, where I was in some sort of riding shape.

10:50 PM: Alarm is set for 3:00 AM, and I’m missing three rather important early-season softball games. But I know this will be worth it.

4:24 AM: Checked in at Penn Station. Looking a little bleary eyed.

10:27 AM: Reached the 50-mile rest stop in fairly good time. I had a bit of a delay with a flat tire but I caught up with a fairly speedy rider who pulled me and helped me catch up to my pace. Although it now seems unlikely that I’ll finish by 2:00. Oh well. Serves me right for sitting on my ass all spring.

10:42 AM: Sarah just caught up to me as I was about to leave….

2:50 PM: Made it to the finish line. It’s not quite “The End” but it is as far as the train goes. Again not quite the seven hours I was hoping for but it was still pretty good for doing a ride off the couch. And now I hurt… Ouch!