Good news! Contact with Transportation Alternatives (TA)

[Andrew]

Dear GWBridge Members,
I have contacted TA and received a warm response. They want to hear
our concerns. We are the experts on the GWBridge commute. They have
the clout and structure to make things happen for us.

This is a good chance to define our important goals. I have summarized
the content from the discussion threads. Please help me rank these,
improve and refine the facts and goals, or add new goals.

==================
1. Improve markings, and either divide bikes/pedestrians or use ride-
on-right rule, or divert pedestrians to North Path.

2. there are no bike racks at Bus Terminal Subway station.

3. the nightly bike lane closure is unacceptable. Long term
maintenance closures without detour are unacceptable. Port Authority
email service does not cover bike lane closure, only car lanes.

4. The ramp: poor design, condition, and hazards of the ramp.

5. Connections to NYC greenway: dangerous/confusing/difficult

==================

[mattsso...@gmail.com]

Good!
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile

-----Original Message-----
From: Andrew <ava...@gmail.com>

Date: Tue, 8 Jul 2008 16:50:44
To: George Washington Bridge cyclists/pedestrians<GWBr...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Good news! Contact with Transportation Alternatives (TA)

[piermontcyclist]

Yes, I like all of those!
I really hated the MONTHS of being diverted to the North side and it
would have been great to have ANY information about it so that's a
good thing to prioritize.
And definitely there should be solid rules about which lane is for
pedestrians and which is for bikers. I think it's good to just stick
with the ride on the right rule since that's the law of the land
everywhere else and people just naturally go that way. I think it's
awkward to have it marked on the bridge because going from NJ to NY
the bikes are on the right and then NY to NJ you're supposed to be on
the other side and no one knows or remembers and it's always a
problem.
Thanks for contacting the TA, it'll be nice if any or all of these
issues ever get resolved!

[Gene]

RANK in order of IMPORTANCE.

5.
2.
3.
4.
1.

--
-Gene

[Rafael Rozas]

Good morning:

 

If you are ranking them from 5 being the least important then this is mine in that order.

 

1.  Connections to NYC greenway: dangerous/confusing/difficult

2.  The ramp: poor design, condition, and hazards of the ramp.

3.  Improve markings, and either divide bikes/pedestrians or use ride-on-right rule, or divert pedestrians to North Path.

there are no bike racks at Bus Terminal Subway station.

4.  the nightly bike lane closure is unacceptable. Long term maintenance closures without detour are unacceptable. Port Authority
4.  email service does not cover bike lane closure, only car lanes.

 

Ralph

 

---

From: GWBr...@googlegroups.com [mailto:GWBr...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of Gene
Sent: Wednesday, July 09, 2008 5:33 PM
To: GWBr...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Good news! Contact with Transportation Alternatives (TA)

[Bomboloni]

I would put number 4 - the entry ramp in disrepair on the South side,
as priority
ONE. In addition to being poorly designed (too narrow, slick metal
covers in the
middle of the ramp), the current condition of the sidewalk is in such
bad shape
there is a high risk or injury/damage to both bikes and riders. Given
this fact,
this one deserves immediate attention.

Prioity
1. Ramp repair
2.Closure
3. Bike racks
4. Markings
5. Geenway

On Jul 8, 7:50 pm, Andrew <avas...@gmail.com> wrote:

[alexis.caldwell]

I would agree with Bombolini's priorities.

1. Ramp repair
2. Closure

3. Bike racks
4. Markings

5. Greenway

Well, maybe move #3 down. Isn't the entire city a bike rack?

[Bomboloni]

I received this email from the CRCA. I did not see this guys name on
the GWB member list, so it may make sense to coordinate efforts, or at
least send your email and zip code to Richard.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GW Bridge South Side Ramp Lover needs your support
Posted by: "nicolaimoser" lmo...@eloptoof.net nicolaimoser
Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:01 pm (PDT)
Dear associates,

Richard Rosenthal is an old friend and is seeking support for a
follow-up letter to the DoT about the condition of the ramp to the
South side of the GW Bridge.

He requests that you send "... your name and your ZIP code in an
e-note at [rr at ro-ads dot com] and authorize me to add them to mine
in the following note to Mr. Roveto [DoT guy who can authorize the
repair] with copies to the DoT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, and
the DoT's bike co-ordinator, Ryan Russo"

Regards,
Leon Moser

Richard's note follows:

Dear Scott Roveto:

You will, I hope and trust, recall our talking about the dangerous
state of the pavement leading to the George Washington Bridge
pedestrian and cyclist ramp which is particularly hazardous to
cyclists. I appreciate your having had me called by an on-site
inspector.

I've heard nothing since then. The danger remains. I write you again
to ask your urgent repair of this. Cyclists have fallen due to the
cavity of the sunken NYC Electrical steel plate and the uplift of the
concrete slab next to it where the curb cut from Cabrini and 178th St.
meet, and again, where a sunken steel plate and uplifted block of
concrete pavement are at the junction of the ramp and the sidewalk.
The Port Authority has told me both places are the responsibility of
the City of New York and not the Port Authority.

Below are the "signatures" of other cyclists who join me in this
urgent request.

Richard Rosenthal
r...@ro-ads.com

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

On Jul 8, 7:50 pm, Andrew <avas...@gmail.com> wrote: