Washington Heights

I live in Hamilton Heights and I decided to report a ride in my neighborhood and Upper Manhattan. I wanted to have two different experiences, that is why I choose going from my apartment in 145 St and Broadway to Saint Nicholas Avenue, heading throw this bike line to the George Washington Bridge and finally returning through Riverside Drive. 

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The ride was in a rush hour, from 6 pm to 7 pm. I left my apartment and to get to the bike line there is not a line through Broadway or closer, so the first couples of blocks where in the street with cars. The bike lane in Saint Nicholas Avenue; in general, is a pretty safe lane. It presents no much traffic congestion and the avenue is wide enough to contain bus lane, cars, parking and the bike lane.

During my ride I could observe different aspect of safety. First, the use of helmet is very common among delivery persons but not that much used among regular bikers, who seem to come back from work or school.  In a period of twenty minutes 22 bikers were recorded and 12 of them were using helmet which stand for a 54,5% of the total.

146 St between Broadway and St Nicholas Ave

Saint Nicholas Ave Bike Lane

Speaking about behavior, bikers are somehow disrespectful of general traffic signals, especially of traffic lights. More than riders and pedestrians, bikers are more willing to cross with red lights and make turns without previous notice.

Pedestrians have a good behavior most of the time, the most common dangerous behave is waiting for a green light in the bike lane. Since the bike lane is after the parking space, many pedestrian take that as an extension of the side walk, but it is mainly due to the parking plot.

Drivers are respectful as well, in general. I noticed that double parking was the most frequent way to interfere with bike lanes.

Drivers parking in the bike lane

Shipping in the bike lane

Taxi cabs picking up and leaving passangers

Buses in the bus stop

Signals were enough in this area, and for a moment some of the signs were overloaded, which make it little confusing.  You have signs under the lamp post, traffic lights, on the floor and their own signs.

About road maintenance, the area for bike lane is not very well delimited, the paint is disrepair and in need of preservation and improvements. Also, cleaning is necessary, especially the sector close to the hospital, New York Presbyterian Hospital, where was more crowded and more people was walking by.

Finally, the infrastructure of this path seems well planned. Due to the shape of Manhattan in this part of town, long and not very width, the Saint Nicholas Ave bike lane is fairly enough for the residents of this part of the city. I came back home through Riverside Drive, which even not having bike lane was full of bikers. The bikers here were more the sport kind, wearing competition cloths, helmets and lights. I would recommend to put a bike lane here because the size of the road is big enough but I would propose an schedule for professional bikers whom ride faster and in a more aggressive way.