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Baltimore Critical Mass
Friday March 27th, 2009 7pm
North Side of the Washington Monument

recommended : helmets, lights, good sense of safe riding in downtown city streets. links to event listings :

- Upcoming

- Localist (baltimore)

If you’re like me, following streetsblog, gothamist, transalt emails and printed material, you probably have the idea that NYC bike lanes (specifically those in Manhattan) are generally proliferating at a pretty healthy rate – and that most of our new & old ones are doing alright in terms of intrusion, obstruction, and visibility. This is mostly true.

Let’s start downtown. Lafayette, Centre Street, and Warren Street lanes are generally doing well. Typical luxury SUVs occasionally blocking the Warren street bike lane while the driver walks in to grab food though.. like this Lexus on March 14th

On Lafayette Street between Houston and Bleeker though, the bike lane formerly a standard Class II lane, is now moved right against the sidewalk. It’s one white strip has already lost alot of definition, and it looks like the DOT forgot to add sharrows or bike lane indicators onto the lane itself. This has led to the entire lane being filled with parked cars all day (despite the ‘bike lane / bikes only’) signage that remains on the block. Here’s a photo of it on March 17th (miraculously clear : perhaps enforcement was up that day?)

The Grand Street lane, Chrystie Street, Bleeker Street, and even 9th and 10th street lanes have also been pretty clear in the past couple of weeks. Keep in mind this is a highly unscientific individual observation based assesment of the state of these lanes based only on past observation. Speaking of the 9th street lane, here’s a photo of the times up clown ride stuck behind some asshole’s Mercedes on 9th street between 1st and 2nd Avenue.

The East 10th Street Class III Shared route (no painted lane, just on street sharrows, indicators, and signage) finally got some extra signage installed on a few corners between Avenue A (where the Class II lane ends) and Avenue D.

The 8th Avenue Bike lane, soon to be a full on street seperate lane (a good uptown counterpart to the 9th Avenue seperated lane) is under full construction – The 6th Avenue Bike lane might be a better choice for getting uptown until Mid April or whenever the lane is done on 8th Avenue (up to 23rd Street or so). Here are some photos (also seen on streetsblog) of the the construction progress :

The Allen Street lane is nearly invisible now from road wear for almost it’s entirety, especially on the east side of the street.

The Avenue C lane is holding up well to the weather and generally has much lower obstruction rates than before the repainting.

Here’s a video of the Avenue C lane to end the post :

A ride down the Avenue C Bike Lane (New York, NY) from Liam Patrick on Vimeo.

Liam Quigley signing off.

I don’t have any power numbers to post/brag about here, but I can say I’ve felt really good on the road the past couple of weeks. I’ll be back home from the 13th – 21st, so track me down if you want to ride. Shot an event for the Baltimore Tourist Association today – editing those in NY since I’m not bringing my laptop with me. The Orbea stays here also and bringing the Lemond with me. Pictures from rides are all on flickr. I’ll try to work on getting better versions of shotwhileriding pictures soon.

Liam Quigley signing off

First off thanks to Jim V. for putting on an awesome race. Not sure of the full results, I’ll try to find & post them later. I raced the first two courses. Shot the third and fourth, and got second in the final race at patterson park. In total a 35 mile day. Also stopped at Abbey burger bistro – awesome burger with blue cheese. Go there. Do it.

Got home, unbolted my cleats and washed the shoes, then took a shower with the bike. For those interested the course total was about 36 miles. (Including transitions).