bike lanes

OK... I admit ignorance. How does one know whether a bike lane is one-way only?

booklaw wrote: OK... I admit ignorance. How does one know whether a bike lane is one-way only?

If the rest of the street is one-way, so is the bike lane.

WHAT!??!? OMG! All this time I was swerving and avoiding peds and cars when running a light and all I had to do is dismount and use my pedestrian powers of supreme right of way and run across the street!!! screw the silly don't walk sign or red light! Gee... its sooooooo easy!

wait a second! maybe people shouldn't bask in their joy of supreme right of way because regardless they'll still get hit by something like a car, a truck, a motorcycle......... OR A BIKE!

I don't know where this sarcasm is coming from -- the fact that pedestrians have the right of way is Drivers' Ed 101 kind of stuff. They're not supposed to abuse it -- no one is supposed to -- but if someone is boneheaded enough to cross in the middle of the street or walk out in front of you, yes, you ARE supposed to stop for them if you're on a bike and they're walking. That's the law.

queencallipygos wrote: the fact that pedestrians have the right of way is Drivers' Ed 101 kind of stuff. They're not supposed to abuse it -- no one is supposed to -- but if someone is boneheaded enough to cross in the middle of the street or walk out in front of you, yes, you ARE supposed to stop for them if you're on a bike and they're walking. That's the law.

Bikers don't purposely hit pedestrians, the risk of injury for the biker hitting the ped is as bad or worse. Yes, it would be great if bikes can magically stop on a dime when a clueless ped disregards the rules of the road, actually it would be great if cars, motorbikes, and trucks all had that magic power, but there's that damn law of physics that ruins all the magical fun.

It really shouldn't be hard to convince people not to cross the street when they aren't suppose to.

BTW: Laws of Physics > "Drivers' Ed 101 kind of stuff"

I was also under the impression, as jonbot mentioned earlier, that pedestrians only have the right of way if the walk sign is lit. Anyone have a link to the city traffic laws?

Plus, how many pedestrians do you see yelling at cars going through a green light and the pedestrian has a do not walk sign? Its easy to yell at the bikers because we're in a slower moving vehicle. But its still a VEHICLE. Do not walk means if you take the chance and dash across the street, you do it at your own peril, right?

EDIT: Courtesy of the city--
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/pedanddriverenglish.pdf
http://home2.nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/safebicyclenyc.pdf
This is the funniest:
"Drivers & Pedestrians: Are You Under the Influence?:
Both drivers and pedestrians can be under the influence of drugs, medications, fatigue, emotional or physical stress that can impair their ability to drive a vehicle or cross a street safely.
Approximately one of every 10 pedestrians killed in collisions with motor vehicles each year in New York City are under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both."

DON'T WALK DRUNK!

caaahyoko wrote:
Really, I've never felt I couldn't ride safely on any specific street in Park Slope except 4th Avenue.

I was nearly killed on 4th Avenue yesterday. I was headed to 16th Street when I was almost clipped by a car that decided to cut around traffic headed towards the BQE by driving in the bike lane. The fact that I was there didn't appear to matter much.

I got doored on friday by a lady getting out of a cab as I was going to work. I was just 1 block from my job and all of sudden the cab door flies all the way open. and I mean ALL the way open, because I guess she had a lot of luggage. By the time it registered, I was already in the air, over the door, looking back at my rear wheel unsuccessfully trying to follow. I flew about the length of the cab and landed on my hands and rolled about the length of the car infront of the cab. I think it was adrenaline, but I got right up and started yelling at lady, all she did is run past me, said a "less than sincere" "sorry", and rushed away with her luggage, didn't even make eye contact!, Didn't even ask if I was OK!. Anyway, after I caught my breath I realized my hand and knee were bleeding and the burning sensation on my shoulder told me had some serious road rash underneath all the dirt and tiny rocks. Probably a bad day to wear a wife-beater. Then I hopped on my bike and noticed I was in f*ckIng pain. Both hands, one knee, and one shoulder felt like they were on fire and my rib cage on the right side was happy about moving. Anyway, I'm still in pain today, had to skip a 5 mile run this morning, but I'm glad it was just road rash, could have been alot worse since I'm lazy about wearing a helmet in 80+ weather. And thankfully I didn't have my macbook pro which I usually carry with me.

superjonbot wrote: I got doored on friday by a lady getting out of a cab as I was going to work. I was just 1 block from my job and all of sudden the cab door flies all the way open. and I mean ALL the way open, because I guess she had a lot of luggage. By the time it registered, I was already in the air, over the door, looking back at my rear wheel unsuccessfully trying to follow. I flew about the length of the cab and landed on my hands and rolled about the length of the car infront of the cab. I think it was adrenaline, but I got right up and started yelling at lady, all she did is run past me, said a "less than sincere" "sorry", and rushed away with her luggage, didn't even make eye contact!, Didn't even ask if I was OK!. Anyway, after I caught my breath I realized my hand and knee were bleeding and the burning sensation on my shoulder told me had some serious road rash underneath all the dirt and tiny rocks. Probably a bad day to wear a wife-beater. Then I hopped on my bike and noticed I was in f*ckIng pain. Both hands, one knee, and one shoulder felt like they were on fire and my rib cage on the right side was happy about moving. Anyway, I'm still in pain today, had to skip a 5 mile run this morning, but I'm glad it was just road rash, could have been alot worse since I'm lazy about wearing a helmet in 80+ weather. And thankfully I didn't have my macbook pro which I usually carry with me.

Ouch! I hope that you are ok. What a bitch. I can't believe some of these people.

Wear that helmet! Your bike is ok? Back when I was a messenger (a long, long, long time ago), I had a bike destroyed by a collision after getting side-swiped by a NYC bus. I was so young and stupid that I didn't even know that I could have gotten it replaced and I kind of walked away from my job.

I wonder. I would guess that the cab driver is responsible!

superjonbot wrote: As for pedestrians crossing the street, I like the ones that keep walking, I make my path based on their direction and speed. My issue is usually with the ones that see you coming and freeze in the middle of the street thinking they're doing you a favor.

I couldn't agree more. Just keep walking! I'll ride around you!

superjonbot wrote: I guess the only place I'd really use a horn is the Brooklyn bridge, where I average about 9 "BIKE LANE!" yells a week.

I got so frustrated with Brooklyn Br crowding that I had to give up. I take the Brooklyn in the morning when its nice and empty, and Manhattan in the evening. Too many tourists in the evenings. There's not enough room for bikers and the number of pedestrians.

queencallipygos wrote: They're not supposed to abuse it -- no one is supposed to -- but if someone is boneheaded enough to cross in the middle of the street or walk out in front of you, yes, you ARE supposed to stop for them if you're on a bike and they're walking. That's the law.

Legally yes, peds have the right of way. But in practice this doesn't mean peds can just walk out in traffic whenever they please.

I think most people commenting here are referring to who 'should' be taking responsibility and yielding, not who has the legal right of way in a court of law.

daver wrote: No, pedestrians do NOT automatically legally have the right of way. caaahyoko posted a link to the law on the previous page. Er.
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/peds-vt.htm#sec1150

Pertinent excerpts:

1151B No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.

1152A Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

1156A Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

Alrighty then.

daver wrote: [quote=Boygabriel][quote=queencallipygos]They're not supposed to abuse it -- no one is supposed to -- but if someone is boneheaded enough to cross in the middle of the street or walk out in front of you, yes, you ARE supposed to stop for them if you're on a bike and they're walking. That's the law.

Legally yes, peds have the right of way. But in practice this doesn't mean peds can just walk out in traffic whenever they please.

I think most people commenting here are referring to who 'should' be taking responsibility and yielding, not who has the legal right of way in a court of law.
No, pedestrians do NOT automatically legally have the right of way. caaahyoko posted a link to the law on the previous page. Er.
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/peds-vt.htm#sec1150

Pertinent excerpts:

1151B No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.

1152A Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

1156A Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

Incorrect.

Pedestrians always have the right of way.

See New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1146:
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

§ 1146. Drivers to exercise due care. Notwithstanding the provisions
of any other law to the contrary, every driver of a vehicle shall
exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, pedestrian or
domestic animal upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary. For the purposes of this section, the term
"domestic animal" shall mean domesticated sheep, cattle and goats which are under the supervision and control of a pedestrian.

There are rules governing pedestrian behavior, but the responsibility of a motorist to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, bicyclist, or goat trumps all of them.

Additionally, per NYC Traffic Rules Section 4-02 e http://nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trafrule.pdf

(e) State law provisions superseded. Pursuant to authority provided by section 1642
of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, the following provisions of such law shall not be effective
in the City of New York: sections 1112, 1142(b), 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1156(b), 1157, 1171, 1201, 1202, and 1234.

vidro3 wrote: [quote=daver][quote=Boygabriel][quote=queencallipygos]They're not supposed to abuse it -- no one is supposed to -- but if someone is boneheaded enough to cross in the middle of the street or walk out in front of you, yes, you ARE supposed to stop for them if you're on a bike and they're walking. That's the law.

Legally yes, peds have the right of way. But in practice this doesn't mean peds can just walk out in traffic whenever they please.

I think most people commenting here are referring to who 'should' be taking responsibility and yielding, not who has the legal right of way in a court of law.
No, pedestrians do NOT automatically legally have the right of way. caaahyoko posted a link to the law on the previous page. Er.
http://www.nysgtsc.state.ny.us/peds-vt.htm#sec1150

Pertinent excerpts:

1151B No pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impractical for the driver to yield.

1152A Every pedestrian crossing a roadway at any point other than within a marked crosswalk or within an unmarked crosswalk at an intersection shall yield the right of way to all vehicles upon the roadway.

1156A Where sidewalks are provided and they may be used with safety it shall be unlawful for any pedestrian to walk along and upon an adjacent roadway.

Incorrect.

Pedestrians always have the right of way.

See New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law section 1146:
http://public.leginfo.state.ny.us/menugetf.cgi?COMMONQUERY=LAWS

§ 1146. Drivers to exercise due care. Notwithstanding the provisions
of any other law to the contrary, every driver of a vehicle shall
exercise due care to avoid colliding with any bicyclist, pedestrian or
domestic animal upon any roadway and shall give warning by sounding the horn when necessary. For the purposes of this section, the term
"domestic animal" shall mean domesticated sheep, cattle and goats which are under the supervision and control of a pedestrian.

There are rules governing pedestrian behavior, but the responsibility of a motorist to avoid colliding with a pedestrian, bicyclist, or goat trumps all of them.

Additionally, per NYC Traffic Rules Section 4-02 e http://nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/trafrule.pdf

(e) State law provisions superseded. Pursuant to authority provided by section 1642
of the Vehicle and Traffic Law, the following provisions of such law shall not be effective
in the City of New York: sections 1112, 1142(b), 1150, 1151, 1152, 1153, 1156(b), 1157, 1171, 1201, 1202, and 1234.

Good point. Fortunately, NYC code _also_ states that pedestrians DON'T always have the right ofo way!

First, I would note that 1146 says "exercise due care" to avoid running people over and to honk at their asses, er, "give warning by sounding the horn."

Moving on to NYC code, the link for which you conveniently posted (thx!)...

4-04B2 Pedestrians shall not cross in front of oncoming vehicles.
Notwithstanding the provisions of (1) of this subdivision (b), no pedestrian shall suddenly leave a curb or other place of safety and walk or run into the path of a vehicle which is so close that it is impossible for the operator to yield.

4-04C2 No pedestrian shall cross any roadway at an intersection except within a
crosswalk.

Note that drivers don't have carte blanche to run people over, you are supposed to avoid this when possible:

4-04D Operators to exercise due care. Notwithstanding other provisions of these rules, the operator of a vehicle shall exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian.

rij73 wrote: I think there's a law that you are supposed to exit a cab curb-side. So, if there's a law, there must be someone liable. Don't know if it's the driver or pedestrian, though... If (when) it happens to me, I will try to remember to demand identification first.

The cab was in the middle of the street in traffic, i'm sure it wasn't a "drop me off here" because the cab didn't pull over, it was more like, "there's a sh*t load of traffic, so I'm just going to get out right here" kind of move. damn cabbies should be able to control locks on their doors. A friend told me the cab driver is responsible, so if I needed an ambulance and all, their insurance would have to cover it, but my work at work doesn't do itself, so even knowing that, I wouldn't have stuck around. I was mostly upset that someone who caused that would just up and leave like that.

superjonbot wrote: [quote=rij73]I think there's a law that you are supposed to exit a cab curb-side. So, if there's a law, there must be someone liable. Don't know if it's the driver or pedestrian, though... If (when) it happens to me, I will try to remember to demand identification first.

The cab was in the middle of the street in traffic, i'm sure it wasn't a "drop me off here" because the cab didn't pull over, it was more like, "there's a sh*t load of traffic, so I'm just going to get out right here" kind of move. damn cabbies should be able to control locks on their doors. A friend told me the cab driver is responsible, so if I needed an ambulance and all, their insurance would have to cover it, but my work at work doesn't do itself, so even knowing that, I wouldn't have stuck around. I was mostly upset that someone who caused that would just up and leave like that.
I believe the "exit the cab on the curb side" thing is a strong recommendation and request, rather than an actual law, but I'm not 100% on that. But yeah, pretty sure that the cab driver's insurance is what will pay up here, if it had come down to it (say, a broken 'puter or something.)