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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
On Nov 6, 8:16 am, dgk wrote:
For two years I've been going by the UN, but when the UN was in session a few weeks ago I went through the tunnel. I rode the right (eastern) tube. Very fast, mostly because I was scared ****less of being hit from behind by a car. I don't know why people are so afraid of that. I suspect most car- bicyclist problems do not occur from behind, odd as it might sound.... I keep my blinkies on and go through after the light has turned red behind the tunnel, hoping that there won't be any cars when I'm in there. Near the end it widens and then it's ok. It's a fun ride; the key is to catch the traffic lights just so (doing it on the weekends helps, too, particularly early morning time) and jet downhill and use that momentum to keep pedaling. So do not attempt unless you will ride fast, at like ~20 mph. Otherwise, what's the point? You'll just be a speed bump for cars. =) Unfortunately, there's a big ol' hill right outside the entrance...but if you'd gone through the street above ("UN Way" or something), you could jet down the small decline right before that hill (being sure, once again, to catch the lights just so) and go up a good 85% of it for "free".... |
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#2
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
On Nov 8, 12:30 pm, Eric Schweitzer wrote:
On 2007-11-08, dgk wrote: On 08 Nov 2007 00:53:50 GMT, Eric Schweitzer wrote: Just a data point ... I've been riding in NYC for near 30 years, and have been hit 6 times, 5 from behind (all during the day). 4 of those times while stopped at a red light. Once by a cop. (I've learned to look BEHIND while slowing for a light.) The statistics are in. Ride at night. I think I am safer at night. I have so many lights that driver slow down just to see what it is. You're waiting at a light and got hit from behind four times? Someone definitely stuck a "hit me" sign on your back. That's another reason I never wait at lights. Both the cop and a cab driver said "but why did you stop, you're a bicycle". Seems expectations carry more weight than laws or common sense. I'm supposed to ride through heavy cross-street traffic? (The cop hit was on Lex at 72d, that cabbie on Third at 86th). Wow, that's definitely one for the grand-kids! I figured that getting hit from behind can't be as common as getting hit from the side because drivers usually look ahead! The few times I've gotten hit -- tapped, really -- was from the side, like drivers trying to cut me off and such. It's amazing we have such different experiences...I guess New York really does have fourteen million different stories! |
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
On Thu, 08 Nov 2007 11:57:51 -0800, Prisoner at War
wrote: On Nov 8, 12:30 pm, Eric Schweitzer wrote: On 2007-11-08, dgk wrote: On 08 Nov 2007 00:53:50 GMT, Eric Schweitzer wrote: Just a data point ... I've been riding in NYC for near 30 years, and have been hit 6 times, 5 from behind (all during the day). 4 of those times while stopped at a red light. Once by a cop. (I've learned to look BEHIND while slowing for a light.) The statistics are in. Ride at night. I think I am safer at night. I have so many lights that driver slow down just to see what it is. You're waiting at a light and got hit from behind four times? Someone definitely stuck a "hit me" sign on your back. That's another reason I never wait at lights. Both the cop and a cab driver said "but why did you stop, you're a bicycle". Seems expectations carry more weight than laws or common sense. I'm supposed to ride through heavy cross-street traffic? (The cop hit was on Lex at 72d, that cabbie on Third at 86th). Wow, that's definitely one for the grand-kids! I figured that getting hit from behind can't be as common as getting hit from the side because drivers usually look ahead! The few times I've gotten hit -- tapped, really -- was from the side, like drivers trying to cut me off and such. It's amazing we have such different experiences...I guess New York really does have fourteen million different stories! Really, that's pretty funny. I guess we're really not supposed to stop for lights. |
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
On Nov 9, 9:05 am, dgk wrote:
Really, that's pretty funny. I guess we're really not supposed to stop for lights. People are just like George Bush: grasp at any straw for an excuse. I'm not surprised even cops proffered such idiocy: I've had motorists tell me I'm supposed to be on the sidewalk and pedestrians tell me I'm supposed to be on the street! **** that. I'm a bicyclist; I go where I want. |
#5
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
"Prisoner at War" wrote in message oups.com... On Nov 9, 9:05 am, dgk wrote: Really, that's pretty funny. I guess we're really not supposed to stop for lights. People are just like George Bush: grasp at any straw for an excuse. I'm not surprised even cops proffered such idiocy: I've had motorists tell me I'm supposed to be on the sidewalk and pedestrians tell me I'm supposed to be on the street! **** that. I'm a bicyclist; I go where I want. If you are riding in the lanes with motor vehicles in NYC it is just a matter of time until you are hit. Ride in the street yes, but stay out of the way of motor vehicles. In other words, get as far to the right as you can, even if it means you are right next to the curb. Elementary, my dear Watson! On the other hand, if you are Bush hater like all the rest of the loony left, then the sooner you are hit, the better. It will mean one less idiot in the world. Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
#6
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
Edward Dolan wrote:
If you are riding in the lanes with motor vehicles in NYC it is just a matter of time until you are hit. Ride in the street yes, but stay out of the way of motor vehicles. In other words, get as far to the right as you can, even if it means you are right next to the curb. Elementary, my dear Watson! Have you tried riding a bike like this, or is this just some theory that you cooked up from behind the windshield? The method you describe will result in a large number of near sideswipes (or worse). If there's not enough room in a given lane for a car to safely pass, the cyclist is much safer taking the lane; drivers can see you better and are more likely to pass in the adjacent lane when it's safe to do so. -- Steven O'Neill Brooklyn, NY http://www.panix.com/~steveo |
#7
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
Well that is what I would have thought as well, however, I got hit doing
exactly what Steven says to do. Since I was on a trike and the driver behind me was speeding up (we had just come through a green light), I was hurt badly enough to basically put and end to my cycling. If you don't live somewhere that has accomodated cyclists in a significant way (such as Tucson or Seattle or Copenhagen) then I would stay off the roads completely. I know that "giving up" like this is not a popular opinion but the cars don't respect us at all. Jeff "Steven M. O'Neill" wrote in message ... Edward Dolan wrote: If you are riding in the lanes with motor vehicles in NYC it is just a matter of time until you are hit. Ride in the street yes, but stay out of the way of motor vehicles. In other words, get as far to the right as you can, even if it means you are right next to the curb. Elementary, my dear Watson! Have you tried riding a bike like this, or is this just some theory that you cooked up from behind the windshield? The method you describe will result in a large number of near sideswipes (or worse). If there's not enough room in a given lane for a car to safely pass, the cyclist is much safer taking the lane; drivers can see you better and are more likely to pass in the adjacent lane when it's safe to do so. -- Steven O'Neill Brooklyn, NY http://www.panix.com/~steveo |
#8
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
"Steven M. O'Neill" wrote in message ... Edward Dolan wrote: If you are riding in the lanes with motor vehicles in NYC it is just a matter of time until you are hit. Ride in the street yes, but stay out of the way of motor vehicles. In other words, get as far to the right as you can, even if it means you are right next to the curb. Elementary, my dear Watson! Have you tried riding a bike like this, or is this just some theory that you cooked up from behind the windshield? The method you describe will result in a large number of near sideswipes (or worse). If there's not enough room in a given lane for a car to safely pass, the cyclist is much safer taking the lane; drivers can see you better and are more likely to pass in the adjacent lane when it's safe to do so. Yes, that is the theory all right among the cognoscenti cyclists who think they know everything. But it is false. If you are in danger of being sideswiped, then get off your bike and walk it on the sidewalk. The traffic in a major metro like NYC is ferocious and only an idiot would want to mix in with it. Frankly, I would only ride a bike there on a bike path - even in Brooklyn! Regards, Ed Dolan the Great - Minnesota aka Saint Edward the Great - Order of the Perpetual Sorrows - Minnesota |
#9
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
"Jeff Grippe" wrote in message ... ALL TOP POSTERS ARE IDIOTS! Well that is what I would have thought as well, however, I got hit doing exactly what Steven says to do. Since I was on a trike and the driver behind me was speeding up (we had just come through a green light), I was hurt badly enough to basically put and end to my cycling. If you don't live somewhere that has accomodated cyclists in a significant way (such as Tucson or Seattle or Copenhagen) then I would stay off the roads completely. I know that "giving up" like this is not a popular opinion but the cars don't respect us at all. Hi Jeff, Any progress being made on your various infirmities from your trike accident? Enough time has now passed so that you should be getting a fix on what your prospects are. Wishing you the best as always, Ed Dolan "Steven M. O'Neill" wrote in message ... Edward Dolan wrote: If you are riding in the lanes with motor vehicles in NYC it is just a matter of time until you are hit. Ride in the street yes, but stay out of the way of motor vehicles. In other words, get as far to the right as you can, even if it means you are right next to the curb. Elementary, my dear Watson! Have you tried riding a bike like this, or is this just some theory that you cooked up from behind the windshield? The method you describe will result in a large number of near sideswipes (or worse). If there's not enough room in a given lane for a car to safely pass, the cyclist is much safer taking the lane; drivers can see you better and are more likely to pass in the adjacent lane when it's safe to do so. |
#10
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Anyone ride through the 1st Ave tunnel by the UN?
Prisoner at War wrote:
On Nov 9, 9:05 am, dgk wrote: Really, that's pretty funny. I guess we're really not supposed to stop for lights. People are just like George Bush: grasp at any straw for an excuse. I'm not surprised even cops proffered such idiocy: I've had motorists tell me I'm supposed to be on the sidewalk and pedestrians tell me I'm supposed to be on the street! **** that. I'm a bicyclist; I go where I want. I have had cops (who should know better) tell me I should ride on the sidewalk. -- Tom Sherman - Holstein-Friesland Bovinia Tradition is the worst rational for action. |
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