New News For Bay Ridge Bicycle Lanes

Yes, BRBR left the CB10 meeting after the bike lanes portion of the agenda was discussed. But more occurred. This information straight from Bob Cassara who commented on our prior post:

"Most people interested in seeing the bike lane proposal move forward at this meeting left after my motion to rescind the Board's prior June 2010 was defeated. However there is good news. At the last few minutes of the meeting, Bob Hudock made a motion under Old Business to open up the idea of alternate bike lane proposals in Bay Ridge. I made an additional amendment to his motion that the T&T committee form a sub committee on bike lanes. The motion was passed by the full board. The community board chair said that she would seriously consider it. So, we get to continue the effort to get bike lanes in Bay Ridge. But unless we get more people involved and be more proactive in this matter we will not succeed. Last night's turnout was great and had we had that kind of turnout last year when the bike lane was first proposed, we would be in a very different position now. As we all witnessed last night, it is very difficult to change people's minds once they have committed to a certain position. But I believe we can still do it. It is just going to be harder now. It would have been great to see 50 to 100+ people turn out to last night's meeting, along with pickett signs and a parking lot full of bikes. Perhaps for the next meeting and/or in September. I would lke to hear from others and their ideas. The electeds and the Community Board members need to get the message - loud and clear. Our safety matters too!"

No Bicycle Lane on Bay Ridge Parkway, Confirmed by CB10

Bob Cassara addresses Community Board 10

At last night's Community Board 10 meeting, Bob Cassara put forth a motion to rescind the Board's prior June 2010 vote opposing a bicycle Lane on Bay Ridge Parkway. It was defeated at the full Board member vote by a wide margin (only 8 voted in support).

At the present time, there are no other proposals being considered for new bicycle lanes in Bay Ridge.

Support Bicyle Lanes on May 16 at CB10

Community Board 10 member Bob Cassara has breathed life back into the proposed Bay Ridge Parkway bicycle lane which was scratched from DOT's plans a few weeks ago. Come to CB10 on Monday and voice your support!

What: Brooklyn Community Board 10 Full Board Meeting

When: Monday, May 16th, 7:15pm
Where: Knights of Columbus - Columbian Room, 1305 86th Street
Note: Please arrive by 7pm or earlier and sign up to speak during the public session. Members of the public will have 2 minutes to speak at the beginning of the meeting.

Read more at the Brooklyn Paper: "Not Everyone in Bay Ridge Hates Bike Lanes"

BRBR Related Posts:

Thoughts on Bay Ridge Parkway

Bay Ridge Parkway - What It Might Have Been

Bicycle Lane on Bay Ridge Parkway? Fuggedaboutit

9th Street - The Bay Ridge Parkway of Park Slope?

Bay Ridge Parkway: A Quick View


Hi, Bob!

Observations on a Tuesday Morning in May

BRBR was out this morning and rode along Shore Road at several different times between 6:00 and 6:45am. BRBR counted at least 7 individual bicyclists along Shore Road at this early hour going both northbound and southbound. Bicyclists among those BRBR spotted include:

The guy with the orange jacket *
The guy with the teal jacket *
The woman on the mountain bike with the front handlebar bag *
The guy in the yellow LiveStrong jersey and shorts

(* denotes morning regulars)

Several of these folks were adding the harbor bike path to their route to make a continuous loop or were just riding back-and-forth along the ups and downs of Shore Road. If we just counted bike passes along Shore Road, there would have been 15 or more. And yes, at the moment BRBR was at Bay Ridge Parkway, a bicyclist in a black jacket was turning onto Shore Road.

Fit City - May 17th

Now in its 6th year, Fit City is coming back to the Center for Architecture, looking at how the design of the environment can encourage and promote physical activity for better health and wellness..

If you have ever wanted to learn and be informed about some of the bigger ideas behind bicycle lanes, pedestrian access and walkability, food resources, health and the design of buildings and communities, this is an event that should not be missed. Several Commissioners and some of the best thinkers in NYC will be presenting and having discussions at this event.

BRBR has attended in the past so we'll give you a tip: the room, hallways, and balcony will be filled to overflow so be sure to RSVP and arrive with plenty of time to spare!

From the event flyer:

The AIA New York Chapter, in partnership with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, will host the sixth annual public conference to examine how design of the built environment creates opportunities for increasing physical activity and access to healthier food choices. This conference will bring together architects, planners, designers, developers, and public health professionals to address how building design and policy decisions can improve health outcomes in communities, helping to prevent chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, some cancers and asthma.

Read about the full program here.

Kids Ride Club

About a month ago, BRBR attended a fundraiser for the Kids Ride Club. Last year, these participants collectively rode over 10,000 miles on the streets of New York City….. yes, you read that correctly…. ON THE STREETS OF NEW YORK CITY….. visiting new neighborhoods, meeting new people and learning about themselves and their capabilities along the way.

BRBR met a few of the kids and the organizers of the Kids Ride Club at the fundraising event. It was great to meet them and see the enthusiasm they all had for the bicycle, being physically active, and eagerness to do it again in 2011.

One of the riders also talked about how hungry she was during one of the rides. Not only was her internal furnace working to make her grow, she was also riding a bicycle which required energy to do even more work. It was great to see her realization of the connection between physiology, transportation and food.

One ride that they loved the most was the going out to Kissena Park to ride on the velodrome. Maybe they’ll get involved with the Star Track program – an introductory bicycle racing program for kids.

We even learned about the Youth Bike Summit that took place earlier this year in New York. May need to mark our calendars for 2012.


The Kids Ride club is run by Recycle-A-Bicycle and Woodhull Hospital with lots of adult volunteers and supporters.