Another cycling post? Kind of. But it’s broader.
Corbin Kappler posted a piece — I found it because he put it on NYRR’s Facebook Wall — “The End of a NYC Cycling Era.” Seems NYPD is ticketing cyclists who run red lights in Central Park when the Park is closed to traffic, at least during the week. (I don’t know about weekends; I ran there this morning and did not see anyone pulled over.) It’s a $270 ticket.
Since cyclists have been “running” red lights since bikes were invented, or probably since red lights were invented, which probably came later (except, of course, for the “oldest” red lights which have been around pretty much forever), one doubts that there is a sudden up-tick in cyclist-pedestrian accidents in Central Park. When I lived in the City I sometimes rode with a nightly 7pm group, which could get large, and we never stopped at a red light. Since the Park is more crowded than it was 25 years ago, I don’t know if that ride still happens.
I’m thinking that it’s a revenue-generator for the City.
If cyclists, why not runners? I don’t know how many red lights I ran today. But that’s irrelevant. The issue is using the Park.The proposal that the Parks Dep’t switch traffic signals to flashing yellow on the road, and flashing red for crossing the Drive, seems remarkably sensible. In his post, Kappler writes:
I passed a woman that looked like Mary Wittenberg of New York Road Runners. If she and her organization were to fight the proposed suggestion of yellow lights, the cyclists would certainly fail. If the cyclists were to band together and then fail, the laws would most likely continue to be enforced due to the heightened public awareness of the issue.
What do you think about this situation? Do you have any ideas of how cyclists can continue to train in such a populated city? As a runner, would you oppose morning-time blinking yellow lights in Central Park?
I can’t think of a reason not to support this (as reflected in my comment on Kapper’s post).
On last Sunday’s New York Running Show the topic was “Social Media.” Well here’s an example of using those media, Facebook in this case, to spread the word. Another was this posting, also on NYRR’s Wall, by Amy Shapiro, “Dear CPTC: thanks for blocking the entire 72nd St. transverse last night. Are you a running club or a standing club?” The two items remind us that we’re not alone out there. Both in Central Park and at the Rockies, of all places (with Westchester Track Club), I’ve had trouble with running or tri clubs being oblivious to the fact that they’re not alone out there. People who would never (I hope) think of standing in the inside lane of a track, or jogging there for that matter, seem fully capable of doing the functional equivalent elsewhere.
It’s not the charity runners. Their leaders are conscious of other users. Last week when I shouted after passing a group with some who had crossed the double line on Cat Hill to “tighten it up please” I heard a leader shout at her charges to keep in (Paul T had a good chuckle at that; he asked me later why I didn’t yell at a later group and I said, “No. They were fine.”) and when I’ve seen groups on the Bridle Path the leader will often signal with her hand that there are runners coming the other way.
I headed back to the Park this morning, running solo this time, but getting in 1:40, with the to-and-fros stretch from Marcus Garvey Park. Going counterclockwise, I ran as I always do when alone, right to the left of the double white-line. Boy did I piss some people off. No, you go around me (referring to those coming clockwise). When I go clockwise, I stay to the inside of the single white-line. When I must deviate, I look and if I absolutely must cross into the biking lane, I signal. This is a habit I learned as a cyclist, where people use hand signals to alert those behind of trouble (a sewer grate or a pothole) or a turn.
And while most runners keep in, there’s a unfortunate number who have no qualms about running wherever they want. Obliviousness is one word for it. Rudeness is another. They seem to either don’t know or don’t care that having to bob-and-weave around people makes riding harder, and more dangerous. I once asked a group to tighten up, and one wanker among them asked, “Are you serious?”. Yeah, I am. Pretty much always when it comes to stuff like this. These are simple things. There’s plenty of room. If you’re running, stay inside the double line. If you must wander outside, keep it as brief as possible and make sure it’s clear to do so.
One sympathizes with NYRR in its efforts to keep the bike lane clear before races. Many runners seem not to understand that if we consistently fail at that, we make it harder to have the City and Parks Department allow our races. We’re forced to have races, even in Central Park, earlier and earlier. (The bike races go off at an ungodly hour so they are done before many others come into the Park.)
So endeth the lecture. Go in Peace.
Edited to Add:
Here’s a video that was put up on another cyclist’s blog which my teammate Sebastien directed me too, the piece The 46 Traffic Lights in Central Park.
The video will also provide some context for those trying to figure out what I’m taking about. The first shot is on East 90th at about 93rd Street. The second is just north of Tavern-on-the-Green (i.e., the Marathon finish). It’s comical how much deficit-reduction the City could enjoy just by writing tickets to tourists (and natives) at that one spot.
Also, the topic of CPTC came up last night on the New York Running Show, with Brenn (a CPTCer) defending his club. I may have been a bit harsh on the club (of which I was, after all, a member). The point remains, about paying attention and being considerate. Amy Shapiro, in turn, posted the following on Facebook, “Hey, Joe. For the record, this happened at about 8pm and it was the whole transverse.”
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February 20, 2011 at 4:42 pm
Stephane
Go Joe !
When the park is empty, going through a red light at 6 am is one thing. At 2PM on a sunday or saturday afternoon when the park is crowded, this is another issue. I’ve seen bikers (chmapion to be I guess) yelling at pedestrians crossing the road while they (the pedestrians) had the green light.
by the way, I feel that the bike path along the the Hudson river is much more dangerous than Central Park.
February 21, 2011 at 10:31 am
Episode 19 | The New York Running Show
[…] on a roadway? We talked about NYPD’s crackdown on cyclists in Central Park, the topic of a blog post from […]
February 22, 2011 at 12:22 am
Ewen
I’ll have to watch that when I get over there in July — don’t want to cop a $270 fine! Cyclists can be arrogant in large bunches, like the CPTC runners you mentioned (standing around and blocking the road). A little common courtesy goes a long way.
By the way, I think you were premature in cutting off “Hector from Chicago” — he was livening up the show. Although his language reminded me of something I might hear on a bad day from TK or Julie.
February 22, 2011 at 11:54 pm
ani
There’s a good point to be made about courtesy and looking out for fellow runners in the park. We have all been frustrated by big groups of runners who take up entire lanes. However, if a runner is to blame a specific group, its good to get the facts straight before making accusations. In this particular case, CPTC did not gather by the transverse, we were by Tavern on the Green at 8pm. Also, we are not the only group that meets at the transverse. There may have been a few CPTC members who were in the road at that time, but i can’t imagine that the few that were there could have blocked the *entire* transverse. And please, everyone is not on the ball all the time when it comes to the road. If this has happened to Amy over and over, she should complain to the club before posting erroneously. I also disagree that CPTC is the *only* running club that hogs the road, or that they do at all. Our group is smaller than most of the charity runners and most of the other running groups, and we are very conscious of making sure there is room for other runners in the road. Joe, i would be very interested to know what grievances you have against the club instead of hearing passive aggressive digs in your blog about us. You mentioned you were a member–why did you quit?
February 23, 2011 at 9:39 am
Joe Garland
Although I’ll have more to say about this comment, here’s what Amy Shapiro said in response, “If it wasn’t CPTC, I’m sorry for being mistaken. At least two of the runners were wearing CPTC singlets.”
February 23, 2011 at 4:59 pm
Joe Garland
Amy posted the following on the NYRR Wall on Facebook: “I wanted to apologize if it wasn’t CPTC blocking the transverse last week. It would still behoove everyone to be considerate of our fellow runners.”
February 23, 2011 at 7:38 pm
Jonathan Stenger
Joe,
This is a smart and thoughtful post. I truly don’t get the logic of ticketing cyclists in the park, especially during the hours that park drives are closed to traffic. As a former frequent park cyclist (and current frequent park runner), I do not think that MOST cyclists running lights pose a threat to pedestrians, tourists, or whomever. I think it would be reasonable for the police to ticket cyclists (or anyone) for reckless riding/behavior, but those lights are effectively out of use when the park drive is closed to traffic. In fact, I would bet that cyclists arguing their case in front of a traffic judge would have a good chance at having the ticket dismissed. Are the same officers ticketing pedestrians as jaywalkers for crossing against the light? Doubtful.
February 26, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Cycling Follow-Up « RunWestchester
[…] what cyclists feel. I came upon some stuff that may explain a bit about which I wrote in my last post about users of Central Park. Turns out I’m not the only one annoyed by rude runners […]
March 1, 2011 at 10:51 am
Eliz
I have definitely seen cyclists getting ticketed on Saturdays. In the last weeks, I can’t even count how many I saw stopped by NYPD (and I don’t even run more than 30 miles in the park a week!). I feel really bad for them because as runner, like you said, we do it too… And those fines are expensive! (around $300 I heard).
I don’t want to be ticketed though! The groups (and tourists..!) are sometimes a bit out of control. Add to that the people smoking in the park, and I can turn into an angry runner sometimes…!
September 4, 2011 at 1:09 am
cg9m
ack! there’s more! i’m adding another commnet b/c i’ve of some related posts i’ve recently read elsewhere. and it’s a general trend i feel like i’ve been witnessing over the past year or so:
CHILL OUT, PEOPLE!!
(sorry for the uncharacteristic use of caps…)
i’ll relate one bronx river pathway story from last year, and then hopefully make my point.
first…bronx river path is a multi-use recreational, mostly paved route extending about 10 miles from bronxville to kensico dam in valhalla. (the tiny section from white plains train station to scarsdale sucks, and has always sucked…litter, graffitti, homeless, roving armed teenage gangs, urban blight, be scared if you’re female..but the rest of the path is really lovely, esp garth woods)
so. i walked/ran/biked there for many years. one weekend day, was out for a walk with family & kids…the kids were off to the side, tossing sticks in the ‘river’..a cyclist came screaming by. he shouted at us to GTF-OUTTAMYWAY, in about the best stereotypical accent and nyc movie-worthy way one could picture. there were others on the path who also took affront and shouted back, “if you’re gonna ride like that, do it on the road!” the kicker was that, after a few miles, we saw him cycling back in a fury, with a father literally on his rear wheel. the dad was shouting something frighteningly violent like, “you SO*, when i catch you, i’m gonna @#$!” and everyone on the path sympathized with the dad. at the dam we met the mom and kids who were on training bikes and had apparently stoked the cyclist’s ire.
i used to ride that section of the path to work once or twice a week as part of my sprint tri training. i also ran it several times a week, especially during recovery from injuries. it’s mostly flat. there are several street crossings. i would never have considered it as a place to do ‘time trials’ for cycling. it’s a multi-use path. but this is where, and i know i will take much heat for my comments from athletes, i diverge from the athletic community. i’m getting really worried from what i’ve been reading, that there is going to be a ‘showdown’ of sorts soon, between a ‘serious; runner or cyclist, and a slower runner/pedestrian/child/older/disabled person.
this site doesn’t get many comments from parents, and so i’ll add my voice from that perspective…i’ve read an awful lot of comments around the web (esp lately) bemoaning kids on tricycles running amok on bike paths, parents pushing strollers, moms-with-joggers….here’s another perspective: kids on trikes are not coordinated- they’re learning! as much as a parent may admonish or watch over them, they steer right when they mean to go left. and lots of times the kids themselves feel bad if they go the ‘wrong way!’ (we were all like that…) jogging strollers often have fixed wheels- ie, they go in a straight line and can’t change direction quickly even if the operator knows you’re coming…and finally, and most heretical- recreational paths *are* mutli-use! period. even if people are “blocking” you when you’re running. they were there first. they don’t need any other justification- they’re enjoying themselves as much as you, and that’s ok. i will defer to a legal expert like joe, but, i’d have a hard time imagining a jury being sympathetic to a runner or cyclist in a case where they could have stopped to avoid an accident with a slower pedestrian, or worse, child. and from a different perspective- does it really matter that much if you slow down for a few seconds to go around someone? if it were an intersection, would you be as annoyed?
September 4, 2011 at 11:52 am
JoeGarland
I mostly agree with you. I have ridden my bike on the BRP path and slowed down in the congested areas and sped up in the stretches in which it was clear. But I’d never ride a road bike there. Plenty of other places for that. I have seen “Freds” (the pejorative for a clueless cyclist) on that path. What I find troubling is not the kids, I mean they’re kids, but parents who seem oblivious to the fact that the path is multi-use. If I see a kid, I’m prepared to deal with her. Yet I don’t think I’ve ever had a parent say “sorry” if I have to scoot (this is while I’m running) around. A couple of weeks back down by the Bronxville Lake a kid in an electric car nearly hit me. I saw him coming so it wasn’t a big deal. Yet not a peep from the parents, even on the second lap when it happened again.
I always keep the right except to pass. I look and signal when I’m passing, and when I’m turning. If there’s not enough room on the path for me to pass I’ll shout “ON YOUR LEFT”, which I do to get attention. Although I realize it might disturb someone, I need to get her attention. If I shout only once and they move, I say “Thank you” as I pass. If it takes 2 shouts I don’t.
I know, I know, what if there are four walkers abreast completely blocking the path? Or just standing? They were there first so I should just defer to them? These are multi-use paths. I think it’s just courtesy to share it and move over.
Finally, I disagee about the stretch on the BRP path south from White Plains to Hartsdale. There’s graffiti where you go under the Parkway, sure. But I’ve never (I’m not a woman of course) had other issues on that stretch. It is, I should note, largely unpaved, and I find bucolic.
September 6, 2011 at 12:28 am
cg9m
perhaps it’s fate, but where i ran today (and most frequently run now,) is a state park, where on weekends in nice weather (lol, i’m the only one in winter, except for a lone “crazy” cyclist- nice guy, actually) it can get ‘busy’- nothing like central park, but some similarities. the park drive, about a 2.4 mile loop, is restricted to traffic (mostly ne’er a car). so it brings out the families, esp on weekends. coincidentally, on my run there today, a tiny girl on a purple trike veered off straight toward me (i was doing a lr, something like 8m at that point). her mother, horrified, shouted at her, “can’t you see there are people coming?!” i made sure to look the mom in the eye, smile, and say, “it’s ok. really.” for me, it’s karma.
i’ve posted elsewhere on this subject, that i understand the frustration when you’re ‘blocked in’. it’s annoying, no question. i recently also spent 2 weeks cycling b/c of an injury, so had that perspective as well. even the faster runners are stationary objects from their point of view.
but there is *NO* justification for causing someone else bodily harm if it is in your ability to prevent it. even if they’re in the wrong. that’s the thing that’s scaring me with the recent posts, and why i was concerned that your higher-profile post might be lighting a fire under normally compassionate people. the recurring theme is, “someone is going to get hurt, and i’m not responsible!” b/c they think they have right-of-way. um.
take a cold shower and think about it. if you’re totally selfish, think about the potential injury to yourself. you may not be able to run for a long time- or, as one friend i know put it regarding ice-climbing, “dying isn’t the worst thing…” (ie, being maimed or paralyzed…) but think about the person you run down! you might kill a child or older or disabled individual. then what?
on my cycling ‘break’, i did a ‘recovery ride’ on bethpage bike path, which is very similar to bronx river path, but has n/s lanes. at one point, there was a family pushing a disabled woman, who looked to have something like lou gehrig’s…at the same time, another family coming south, mom, dad, 2 kids on bikes…of course, we converged at the same time (i think that’s a law of probability!). i just stopped. let them pass. in the grander ‘scheme,’ that stop cost me little. if i stressed about it on my bike computer, yes, it was a lot. i sometimes wonder if that was the precipitating factor for sally meyerhoff. that really made me sad. what a waste of talent for a digital mph reading on a bike computer. and so far, since july, i haven’t worn a watch for anything. long runs or even speedwork. feelin’ ornery.
oh..and a ps…sorry for all the misspells the other nite(?) (if noticed)…i’m no grammarian (having only completed hs english,) and obviously take considerable latitude with punctuation, but we all have our pet peeves (i HATE misspellings…there may be a story there. maybe.) cursor kept bouncing all over- seems corrected now, but hopefully not a virus.
September 6, 2011 at 9:48 am
Joe Garland
I hope I didn’t profess right-of-way über alles. I hope you recall from our track days that I tried to be polite in asking people to keep Lane 1 clear, and indeed over 90% of the time people are happy to oblige.
I learned a right-of-way lesson in 1980. I was biking to work in lower Manhattan and approaching a cross-walk. I had the green light and I blew my whistle expecting people to create an opening for me. They didn’t. I woke up on the sidewalk, covered in (my) blood. The wheel of my bike bent. I’ve never ridden a block without a helmet since.
More to your point, though, there’s having the right-of-way and there’s being stupid. Or worse. I was worse and I wouldn’t do that again.
One reason I shout “ON YOUR LEFT” is so people have time to react, to look and move aside. We all have our stories — I had to wind my way through some kids, a dog, and a razer yesterday — but I attribute it to unawareness, not malice and I sometimes exaggerate my response so that the adults in the room will be more aware of it next time. I thought I made clear from my comments on runners infringing on cyclists in Central Park that in a multi-use environment things must be shared and that if you give it a moment’s thought you can figure it out (although it may be something that’s clear to me and not to others). The last thing we need is to turn our paths into battlegrounds in which everything is a zero-sum game.
The reality is that I doubt that there have been more than a couple of times in all of my years in which a parent has said what that woman said or someone saying “sorry” for their misdirected toddler.
September 6, 2011 at 1:02 am
cg9m
ay…a last comment i forgot to add…regarding the bronx river path from wp to hartsdale train station…(i probly blocked this out- i try to, anyway). maybe it’s a time-of-day thing- you strike me as more of an am-runner, and i mostly run in the afternoon or pm. i guess one thing i might ask you is, “who do you think has painted all that graffiti on the underpasses through that section?” re the gangs…but, i’m also surprised if you didn’t notice the homeless guy who took up residence there for most of ’09. he was a little ‘off’ but not as much as other transients who often slept on the benches in that section. the only year when that area seemed ‘safe’ to me was 2008, when white plains was undergoing an urban renewal. after that, it deteriorated rapidly, and i almost always ran fisher/walworth alternatively. i do have one scary story- it happened spring of 2010, and about 2pm in the afternoon! i can account for ~6 young dudes, the leader of whom had an exposed knife, with which he was threatening me. (i had seen other roving gangs in the eve’s w/guns)…trite as it may sound, my first thought was, “thank god i don’t have the stroller!” (my son happened, fortuitously, to be with my in-laws that day.) i was born/raised near baltimore, so i knew to just keep my head down (but bad for identification.) i was only lucky b/c one of the other boys who seemed to have some influence kept saying, “let her alone. let’s go.” don’t know why. they took off as we approached the train station. hispanic guys. maybe that was something (i’m hispanic, but wearing running gear, a seeming target for sure.) who knows. they were angry and destroyed a fence or two. but at least i got away. i emailed my sis about it (never told hubby or there would have been a stink.) in cali, you can buy pepper spray in the drugstore. we liked to have it for attack dogs (or mountain lions…seriously.) here, you have to get a weapons permit and buy it at a sporting goods store (why don’t you need a weapons permit for the attack dogs???!!). sis sent me a canister w/two refills. in bubble-gum pink. (i may actually now need it for the $250K dobermans/chows/presas on the estates in laurel hollow- cite ny times article, and i have been ‘chased’ despite being on the road..)