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Last night was one of the first very busy evenings in Prospect Park. It was great to see people out and about again, and not just the winter diehards biking/running. That said, I noticed the same issues that come up whenever the park gets crowded, and thought it might be instructive to list the park guidelines (found here: http://www.prospectpark.org/general/main.cfm?target=safety) I know that headphones are mentioned in the in-line skating guidelines, but it always blows me away when I see cyclists wearing headphones / earbuds, especially on very busy evenings (or when women running alone after dark have ear buds in -- where do they think you are?). That's a disaster waiting to happen. And don't get me started on anyone who thinks it's acceptable to speak on a cell phone while riding/skating. When Park Drives are open to motor vehicle traffic: · Pedestrians use the inner half of the recreation lane. · Cyclists and skaters use the outer half of the recreation lane. · Cyclists and skaters travel in a counter-clockwise direction on the roadway at all times. When Park Drives are closed to motor vehicle traffic: · The recreation lane is reserved for walkers and runners only. Cyclists and skaters stay on the main roadway and out of the recreation lane. · Cyclists and skaters travel in a counter-clockwise direction on the roadway at all times. · Skaters and slower cyclists should stay in the middle lane while faster cyclists use the outside (right) lane. · Always remain alert for motor vehicles, even when the Drive is closed. Official Park vehicles use the Drive at all times, and the Heart of Brooklyn Trolley uses the Drive on weekends from Noon to 6:00 P.M. In-Line Skating Guidelines · Before you skate, master the fundamentals of striding, turning and stopping. · Skating is only permitted on Park drives. Skating is not permitted on paths. · Be aware that authorized vehicles use the roadway at all times: When the Drive is open, use the right half of the recreation lane. When the Drive is closed, use the traffic lanes. The recreation lane is for runners and walkers. · Skate in the appropriate lane in a counterclockwise direction at all times. · Obey all traffic lights and signs. Come to a full stop when entering the roadway. Do not skitch (hang on a moving object). · Helmets are required by law for children under age 14. Helmets, wrist guards and knee pads are recommended for all. · Wear reflective clothing when skating at night. · Do not wear headphones.
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How about "No clumps of people standing around chatting in the pedestrian lane?" Move it, people!
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Subject: Re: Spring Is Here -- Prospect Park Loop Road Decorum is Not
OnEasternParkway » · Pedestrians use the inner half of the recreation lane.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Cyclists and skaters travel in a counter-clockwise direction on the roadway at all times.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Skaters and slower cyclists should stay in the middle lane while faster cyclists use the outside (right) lane.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Skate in the appropriate lane in a counterclockwise direction at all times.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Obey all traffic lights and signs. Come to a full stop when entering the roadway.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Wear reflective clothing when skating at night.
won't happenOnEasternParkway » · Do not wear headphones.
won't happen -
Ooops! I am one of the slightly guilty ones.... I didn't realize until I got home last night and was checking out how long the PP loop is that cyclists are supposed to ride in the car lanes when the park is closed to cars. In my defense, it was my first time out on a bicycle in 20 years and I am just glad I didn't run over any children or small dogs!
And wasn't the weather amazing? It smelled so nice. -
thanks for the reminders, OEP!Get your paws off my canned chicken
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Subject: Re: Spring Is Here -- Prospect Park Loop Road Decorum is Not
Oiseau » blah blah blah
Thanks for contributing. -
shishkab » thanks for the reminders, OEP!
No problem. If I had posted this immediately after my run last night it would have been far less informative and for more irritable and self-righteous. -
I agree with most of this. However, I was cycling last night (no headphones
) and didn't find it to be too bad in the park. -
You're right, Dave -- it wasn't terrible, but I saw more than one person whipping down the hill on blades whilst yakking on a cell phone.
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I was crossing the street in the park with four children after 6:00. There was a red light, so the cars stopped. I guess we were not fast enough for the joggers, becuase one actually pushed me out of his way. The bike riders always get the flack, but I say watch out for pushy joggers.
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Subject: Re: Spring Is Here -- Prospect Park Loop Road Decorum is Not
OnEasternParkway » I know that headphones are mentioned in the in-line skating guidelines, but it always blows me away when I see cyclists wearing headphones / earbuds, especially on very busy evenings (or when women running alone after dark have ear buds in -- where do they think you are?). That's a disaster waiting to happen. And don't get me started on anyone who thinks it's acceptable to speak on a cell phone while riding/skating.
I dont understand whyit would be more or less dangerous wearing headphones while Rollerblading. I blade somewhere from 40-60miles weekly, and never without headphones. As long as you know what youre doing this shouldnt be a problem. I never ran into anyone I never cut anyone off, i give way to pedestrians. Shouldnt Car stereos be forbidden just as well in this case? Not trying to stir up trouble I am genuinely at a loss why this should be a problem.-------------
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
-- Oscar Wilde -
Subject: Re: Spring Is Here -- Prospect Park Loop Road Decorum is Not
kaiserkai » I dont understand whyit would be more or less dangerous wearing headphones while Rollerblading. I blade somewhere from 40-60miles weekly, and never without headphones. As long as you know what youre doing this shouldnt be a problem. I never ran into anyone I never cut anyone off, i give way to pedestrians. Shouldnt Car stereos be forbidden just as well in this case? Not trying to stir up trouble I am genuinely at a loss why this should be a problem.
Having music playing and having objects obstructing your ears at the same time (thereby reducing hearing 2 separate ways) is definitely a bad idea when moving at 15mph+ on a street full of pedestrians, half of whom have no idea what the rules of the road even are. -
why can't everyone stay out of my way?!?!
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Subject: Re: Spring Is Here -- Prospect Park Loop Road Decorum is Not
kaiserkai » Shouldnt Car stereos be forbidden just as well in this case?
The difference is that you can still hear your surroundings when you have a car stereo on, the same is generally not true when you have headphones on. They tend to block almost everything out unless you're listening pretty low. But I'd say yeah, blasting loud music in a car is akin to wearing headphones (and far more obnoxious)Spend a buck, light a number for one the 400,000 victims in Darfur: darfurwall.org -
Sorry I am still not convinced. Granted that you need to be very careful on Rollerblades and be aware of your surroundings. If it is to crowded you shouldnt be rollerblading to begin with, but I dont see Headphones making it any less safe. If i cant control my blades at the speed I am going having headphones is not going to make it any worse. Hypothetically should a deaf person be banned from Rollerblading? I mostly skate on Manhattans west side, and 9 out of 10 bladers there wear headphones. I appreciate that the official "law" of PP states you shouldnt wear them. But I have yet hear a conclusive argument why that is.-------------
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
-- Oscar Wilde -
kaiserkai » If i cant control my blades at the speed I am going having headphones is not going to make it any worse.
Sure it is -- the safety premise behind not wearing headphones while biking / skating is that your advance warning / reaction time when presented with a possible blind spot collision is severely reduced when one of your senses is compromised. If you are moving at a fast rate and don't have full control of your blades, yet have an extra instant with which to change course (an instant that might not exist when your hearing is reduced), you could possibly avoid a collision. -
Ok. That I can accept. I didnt think of it that way. But good fast runners got about the same speed as slow skaters, so they should fall under the same rule. And Bikers, who are way faster than Skaters, as well.-------------
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
-- Oscar Wilde -
kaiserkai » Hypothetically should a deaf person be banned from Rollerblading?
nope. a deaf person cannot not distracted by their deafness. however, a person listening to music can be distracted by the very thing they are listening to.Get your paws off my canned chicken -
shishkab » [quote="kaiserkai"] Hypothetically should a deaf person be banned from Rollerblading?
nope. a deaf person cannot not distracted by their deafness. however, a person listening to music can be distracted by the very thing they are listening to.[/quote] Yup Yup, that makes sense.-------------
Some cause happiness wherever they go; others whenever they go.
-- Oscar Wilde -
kirby » I was crossing the street in the park with four children after 6:00. There was a red light, so the cars stopped. I guess we were not fast enough for the joggers, becuase one actually pushed me out of his way. The bike riders always get the flack, but I say watch out for pushy joggers.
Ahh ha ....next time a jogger pushes you , right away kick him/her in the a$$...then say "OOoops , reflex!"
One dude was jogging this afternoon by the Botanical Garden ...wearing some daisy dukes 
too funny , lol."Some people make their goals the stars,
They may live and die never reaching them,
but in the darkness of the night, those stars will guide them to their destination,because they put them in their sights." -
I swear I don't even like to ride my bike on the loop at PP any more (except during off hours, when it's less crowded) due to all the runner vs. biker vs. walker vs. dog vs. stroller crap that goes on. I'm not one of those "training for the Tour de France" types that whip around at 30+ mph for hours on end, but since I have a nice bike and decent equipment (though I refuse to wear spandex), I get yelled at through guilt by association even though I'm a very conscientious rider. Frankly, those people scare me, just as much as the oblivious large families strung out all over the roadway who often don't understand English well enough to respond to "Look out!" or "Keep your toddler out of the middle of the road!" annoy me. I'd never be stupid enough to bike with headphones after having read crime and accident reports about runners or walkers in PP (and other city parks) who are so distracted by their tunes that they get run over by cars (which shouldn't be in the park, but that's another argument) or mugged in broad daylight. I'm quite the civil libertarian, but I don't think that people's right to enjoyment extends to the point of putting themselves or others in danger, and sorry, but some of the idiots I've seen (and had to dodge) are way over that line. I don't see any way of fixing these problems without draconian policing that I don't see happening in a park environment. Even the NYPD can figure out that would ruin the fun for everyone. To paraphrase Yogi Berra, the place is so crowded, I don't recommend you go there anymore, unless you stick to walking on the grass
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The Tour de France bikers are . . . intense. I'm just a noncompetitive runner who stays in her little lane (unless dodging around some family with a fucking herd of kids) and needs a little Stooges to keep her from realizing that she's exercising.
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