GWBridge Google Group
Andrew Burrows
We've organized a google group of 33 people that regularly bike-commute across the GWB. Our purpose is to improve the GWB bike path access and quality. If you read our priorities below, you will learn more about us. After reading your letter, I think you would have our support, if needed. Do you know how we can help you?
Andrew Burrows
216.536.9236
From: Andrew Burrows <ava...@gmail.com>
Date: Sat, Jul 12, 2008 at 9:20 AM
Subject: Re: political cycling group
To: Caroline Samponaro <bi...@transalt.org>
Hi Caroline. Our group (GWBridge) has consensus over our important problems that we wish would be addressed.
We would love a chance to discuss this with you. We could meet up anywhere convenient for you.
Andrew
1. Ramp: design, conditions, hazards.
The bike/pedestrian ramp (GWB south side) is a bottleneck for expanding bicycle commuting across the Hudson River. It appears to have been carelessly designed (e.g. a steep decline ending at a right angle with a highway exit ramp) having dangers (slick metal plates and cracked sidewalk) and inefficiencies (wide enough for only 1 cyclist, such that 2-way traffic is impossible).
2. Closure
It is felt that the daily GWB path closure schedule (closed midnight-6am) is heavy-handed and not clearly necessary. Considerations should be given to cyclists such as text/email messaging when there are maintenance closures of the GWB path.
3. Markings
There are no visible path markings to separate traffic (either bike/ped separation or eastbound vs westbound). Pedestrians might be given the option of using northbound path (currently closed) to reduce ped traffic on southbound path.
4. Greenway connections
Although the GWB passes over the Greenway, it is surprising that the current connection with the Greenway is a circular 0.8 mile path, involving another footbridge, another narrow ramp, a curb, five city streets (one of which is one-way). Here is a map of the connection:
http://gwbridge.googlegroups.com/web/GWBtoGreenway1.jpg?gda=TVHmFUMAAACWWOFeeofNBNm0pdPr48i7GpNs6ao1CMcVgtY2TFpJBGG1qiJ7UbTIup-M2XPURDSAFBvgDMmvQq7uOgJPFptskK_8z67xR2WFGZOgXVzcaA
5. Bike racks
It is felt that secure bike racks at the GWB Station would facilitate commutes that might involve bus and subway connections.
Hi Caroline. Thanks for the reply and the offer to discuss. We're assembling a refined list of our goals. The ones that have been most discussed on our board are below (in random order).
I'll get you our refined list when it emerges. We would love to hear your ideas and commentary. Please feel free also to read/post at our group page: http://groups.google.com/group/GWBridge
Andrew==================
1. The ramp: poor design, condition, and hazards of the ramp.
2. Connections to NYC greenway: dangerous/confusing/difficult
3. traffic flow: Improve markings, and either divide bikes/pedestrians or use ride-
on-right rule, or divert pedestrians to North Path.
4. lack of bike racks at Bus Terminal Subway station.
5. the nightly bike lane closure is unacceptable. Long term
==================
maintenance closures without detour are unacceptable. Port Authority
email update service does not cover bike lane closure, only car lanes.
--On Tue, Jul 8, 2008 at 1:39 PM, Caroline Samponaro <bi...@transalt.org> wrote:
Hey Andrew,
This is great news! Please send me the details on your thoughts for improvement. We can also set up a meeting sometime soon to further discuss. But a preview will help me brainstorm.
Thanks!
___________
Caroline Samponaro
Director of Bicycle Advocacy
Transportation Alternatives
127 W. 26th St., Suite 1000
New York, NY 10001-6808
(p) 646.873.6021
(f) 212.629.8334
Our mission is to reclaim New York City's streets from the automobile, and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.
From: Transportation Alternatives
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 1:06 PM
To: Caroline Samponaro
Cc: Noah Budnick
Subject: FW: political cycling group
Mike Infranco
IT Director
Transportation Alternatives
127 West 26th St, Suite 1002
New York, NY 10001
e. te...@transalt.org
t. (646) 873-6027
f. (212) 629-8334
transalt.org
From: Andrew Burrows [mailto:ava...@gmail.com]
Sent: Tuesday, July 08, 2008 12:54 PM
To: in...@transalt.org
Subject: Re: political cycling group
Hi. I've organized a google group of 32 people that regularly bike-commute across the GWB. We have not connected with TA but would like to. We would like to help improve the GWB bike path. But I'm not sure of the best way to do this. We are currently building a unified idea of our most pressing problems. How can we connect with TA?
Thanks.
Andrew Burrows, MD, PhD
216.536.9236
________________________
Andrew Burrows M.D., Ph.D.
216.536.9236
ava...@gmail.com
--
________________________
Andrew Burrows M.D., Ph.D.
216.536.9236
ava...@gmail.com
--
________________________
Andrew Burrows M.D., Ph.D.
216.536.9236
ava...@gmail.com