The Bloomberg Administration implemented its plan to convert parts of Broadway in and around Times Square and Herald Square to pedestrian malls over Memorial Day weekend.
New traffic signs were posted at various locations indicating some of the many changes in vehicular traffic and many inexpensive lounge chairs were strewn about in the new "plazas" or "malls."
Some critics were dubious that the new pedestrian spaces would be very enjoyable for those not appreciative of automobile noise and fumes and a lack of lush landscaping and topiary. Other observers were concerned about the impact of these new spaces on the already crowded Theater and Garment Center districts, especially since the city appears to be encouraging greater use of bicycles whose riders tend not to obey or even be aware of most traffic laws and therefore pose significant threats, at least visually, to people who use their legs for walking.
Supporters of the program, on the other hand, argued that by permitting tourists to wander and linger off the sidewalks they will dare to actually look up and appreciate the surrounding canyons of billboards and some architecture.
A study released his month by Peter Tuckel and William Milcarski of the departments of sociology and urban affairs and planning, respectively, at Hunter College of the City University of New York found that "more than one-third of cyclists did not stop at all at red lights" and that "another 28.7 percent paused at a red light but then went through the light while it was still red." In addition, the report said that "the tendency to 'run a red light' without stoppping is even more prounced during the evening hours than during daylight houses."
The study also said that "overall, 13.2 percent of cyclists were observed riding against traffic," but added that "only a small proportion of cyclists (3.7 percent) were observed riding on sidewalks." "Among the cyclists observed at a street with a bike lane, 29.3 percent did not use the designated lane and an additional 4.5 percent used both the designated lane and another street lane. Noteworthy is that 10 percent of the cyclists were not able to use the bike lane even if they were disposed to do so because it was obstructed."
The study said that nearly all the bicyclists who died in New York City were not wearing a helmet and that about three-quarters of all cyclists used neither a headlight or a taillight during evening hours.
The study said that between 2007 and 2008 the number of commuter cyclists increased 35 percent in the city.
New traffic signs were posted at various locations indicating some of the many changes in vehicular traffic and many inexpensive lounge chairs were strewn about in the new "plazas" or "malls."
Some critics were dubious that the new pedestrian spaces would be very enjoyable for those not appreciative of automobile noise and fumes and a lack of lush landscaping and topiary. Other observers were concerned about the impact of these new spaces on the already crowded Theater and Garment Center districts, especially since the city appears to be encouraging greater use of bicycles whose riders tend not to obey or even be aware of most traffic laws and therefore pose significant threats, at least visually, to people who use their legs for walking.
Supporters of the program, on the other hand, argued that by permitting tourists to wander and linger off the sidewalks they will dare to actually look up and appreciate the surrounding canyons of billboards and some architecture.
A study released his month by Peter Tuckel and William Milcarski of the departments of sociology and urban affairs and planning, respectively, at Hunter College of the City University of New York found that "more than one-third of cyclists did not stop at all at red lights" and that "another 28.7 percent paused at a red light but then went through the light while it was still red." In addition, the report said that "the tendency to 'run a red light' without stoppping is even more prounced during the evening hours than during daylight houses."
The study also said that "overall, 13.2 percent of cyclists were observed riding against traffic," but added that "only a small proportion of cyclists (3.7 percent) were observed riding on sidewalks." "Among the cyclists observed at a street with a bike lane, 29.3 percent did not use the designated lane and an additional 4.5 percent used both the designated lane and another street lane. Noteworthy is that 10 percent of the cyclists were not able to use the bike lane even if they were disposed to do so because it was obstructed."
The study said that nearly all the bicyclists who died in New York City were not wearing a helmet and that about three-quarters of all cyclists used neither a headlight or a taillight during evening hours.
The study said that between 2007 and 2008 the number of commuter cyclists increased 35 percent in the city.
Architecture Critic
Carter Horsley
Since 1997, Carter B. Horsley has been the editorial director of CityRealty. He began his journalistic career at The New York Times in 1961 where he spent 26 years as a reporter specializing in real estate & architectural news. In 1987, he became the architecture critic and real estate editor of The New York Post.
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