Eyes on the Street
Streetsblog Basics
New “Bike Boxes” Send Cyclists to the Front of the Line
Ian Dutton of the Houston Street bike safety initiative snapped these photographs of yet another never-before-seen street design feature here in New York City. This is what's called a "Bike Box" at the intersection of W. 9th St. and Sixth Ave. Bike boxes allow cyclists approaching the intersection with a red signal to position themselves at the front of the line of vehicles. This makes bike travel faster and the right turn onto northbound Sixth Avenue safer.
June 19, 2007
Eyes on the Street: A Special Lane for Parking Cars
This was the scene along the Edward L. Grant Highway in the Bronx on May 27, where the southbound buffered bike lane near Jerome Avenue was being blocked by SUVs from Florida and New Jersey and assorted other vehicles. The bike lane markings here are worn out by the constant wear and tear of automobile tires. A complete lack of enforcement makes this bike lane inadequate for cycling and a great benefit for auto mechanics and double-parkers.
June 6, 2007
Eyes on the Street: Seen Better Days
East 146th Street and St. Ann's Avenue, May 28, 2007.
June 5, 2007
Eyes on the Street: Transit Workers on Parade
The NYC Transit Pipe and Drums Corps marched in the Inwood annual Memorial Day Parade on Monday, on a route that followed Broadway from 200th Street almost into the Bronx before taking Seaman Avenue, where the above photo was taken, to Inwood Hill Park for a wreath-laying ceremony honoring America's war dead.
May 29, 2007
Happy Memorial Day Weekend
Happy Memorial Day weekend from Streetsblog. If you're driving out of town, consider paying down your carbon debt with a solar-powered barbecue -- just make sure to wear sunscreen while you're using it. See you Tuesday
May 25, 2007
Alternative Uses for Curbside Parking Space, Circa 1941
This striking color photograph was snapped on Broome Street near Baruch Place (a street that vanished beneath the Bernard Baruch housing project) on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, September 27, 1941. The photo is part of the Charles W. Cushman collection at Indiana University. A tip of the hat to Kevin Walsh's outstanding Forgotten New York web site for pointing this out.
May 18, 2007
Eyes on the Street: Umbrella/Sombrilla in Inwood
City Council Member Robert Jackson, foreground, participates in the "Umbrella/Sombrilla" celebration, held in Inwood last Sunday. The Dyckman Street festival involved neighborhood residents simultaneously waving and twirling dozens of umbrellas to symbolize the birth of the Northern Manhattan Arts Alliance, an umbrella organization (see?) founded to promote uptown art and artists. Umbrella/Sombrilla kicks off the 5th Annual Uptown Arts Stroll, a three-week series featuring a sidewalk art fair and other outdoor exhibitions. Sunday's events culminated in a block party, with kids and their families taking over the streets.
May 10, 2007