Biking in Sunset Park?

biker123

Hi. I'm new to the area and am thinking of commuting to work by bike. I get off work in sunset park no later than 7 pm. Is it safe to bike down 5th ave (past the cemetery) from sunset park to greenwood heights after dark? or do you think I'm better off just taking the subway?

kikintina

There is a lot of traffic, both car and bike, along that route at that time. I think you'd be fine. Make sure to get some reflective gear on you and your bike; people don't always take a look for bikes on the actual road (a lot of bikers around there use the sidewalk making pedestrians need helmets too!) and the road is all loopy right now.

flux

why not wait till they push the clock an hour in the spring? you will have more daylight.

curlygirl

Subject: totally safe

I live in Sunset Park, and commute to Manhattan on average 4 to 5 days a week by bike, and ride everywhere generally, at all hours. You're fine, except for the normal city caveats, provided you are comfortable riding in traffic and are visible and predictable. Here's what's not safe:

- riding without a helmet. It's not how well you ride, it's the dumbass driver who comes from behind andd hits you before you can see them
- riding with earphones. Hearing is your most important sense -- it's how you can sense what the traffic behind you is doing
- riding without lights at night. They don't have to be dork-a-licious, just something because if you're the normal new yorker clad in black who has removed the dorky reflectors from their wheels, you will be invisible
- being an asshole. Don't harass the pedestrians, and you're faster than cars, so the only thing you do by pissing a car off is make them take it out on some other poor unsuspecting cyclist. Why invite rage?

Ok. Off soapbox.

PS: Mr C's on 7th ave/47th is a great shop. They're remarkably well stocked for a local store, and have decent mechanics

curlygirl

Subject: ps

5th avenue sucks. What with the construction, the hill, the traffic iand double parkers in the biz district, it's a pain in the ass. 3rd ave is best. 4th is not as scary as you'd think as long as you're zen about being in traffic and don't freak out.

And yes, 3rd is safe on a bike at all hours. You'll see tons of other cyclists there, in fact, as it's the fastest route out there.