BikeNYCBurbs

Check out Dahlia's new Streetfilm!

2010-09-15T06:11:00.000-07:00

My girl Dahlia just made a badass clip on New Women cyclists in NY:

Summer Streets

2010-09-03T17:17:00.000-07:00

Photos from a FABULOUS, hula hooping at SummerStreets! The top photo was taken by Ms. Dahlia Ramsey, Intern at Streetfilms: she's also the hottie biting my handmade hoop below. The ladies in the middle are tourists learning to hoop it up in Washington Square Park.

BWAWP

2010-09-03T17:00:00.000-07:00

I just helped do the re-design of BWAWP, the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester-Putnam. A fabulous designer, Steve Bozzone, did the layout, and I've been steadily adding content.....

Check it out! It's tight. If you're not already a member, make it happen, loves!

Just click on: westchesterbikewalk.org

Enjoy!

2010-09-03T16:56:00.000-07:00

Check out this article at Streetsblog: Will Westchester Replace Richard Brodsky With a Better Voice for Transit?, by Noah Kazis. It's a very well-written discussion of the new Westchester potential Westchester representatives.

This is SO important! Not only for the future of Westchester, but for NYC as a whole. Westchester representatives have consistently vetoed legislation that will charge cars for any of their infrastructure: be it via bridge tolls, paying for parking, or Congestion Pricing.

Some of the reps have good ideas: expanding the bike paths to include east-west, offering Transit passes to high school students. These may be much more challenging to enact that the existing trend of pro-car legislation, but we at least need supportive officials in office.

We have to VOTE!!! Pay attention to this election..

Our County Bike Trails - Westchester Magazine - May 2010 - Westchester, NY

2010-05-06T05:34:00.000-07:00

Here's a fairly recent article on biking in Westchester Magazine. Our County Bike Trails. It outlines the bike loops that are currently in Westchester, and the need for more, if biking is to be used as transportation, is quite clear. Check out the May issue of Westchester- there's a bike special, with several great q's and a's.

New Exciting Things!

2010-04-28T06:39:00.000-07:00

I want to apologize for my lack of posts lately: I just started two new jobs, and two new projects. It's been insanely busy! Here's the low-down:

1) I'm starting training today at the NYC Subway Line Fashion Company. They make super adorable clothing that helps support the NYC Transit Museum. I'm sure you've seen it: black t-shirts with the subway logos on them, hoodies and bags with subway maps.

2)To make some extra cash, I'm waitressing at Haven Restaurant. They use seasonal food from the farmer's market, and are quite delicious.

3) I'm *hopefully* starting a community garden at my parents condominium complex! I have lots of support, and I go before the board to request official permission and funding tonight. Wish me luck!!!!!

4) I'm reviving my hula hoop company, East Coast Hula. I'm making more, and hoping to start selling them again and teaching classes.

Commute-Friendly Bike Parking

2010-04-13T07:51:00.000-07:00

I would LOVE to see this in Grand Central, Penn Station, and the White Plains transit center.

Global Warming is hot.

2010-04-09T08:41:00.000-07:00

I've certainly been enjoying this fantastic weather, even though I'm aware of the negative climate implications.... The sun was so strong that I got a tanline from a marketing book I was reading!

Here's some photos from this weekend...the beautiful lady with the hoops is my mother. The adorable man on my right is my friend Chris.

Locations: Teatown Lake Reservation, my backyard, and Central Park.

Democrats Move Convention to Westchester

2010-04-09T07:10:00.001-07:00

Further Proof of the political clout of Westchester; and why engaging Westchester suburbs in positive bike and pedestrian initiatives will make it easier for activists all over both the city and state.

Democrats Holding Convention In Westchester

Posted using ShareThis

Bedford Planning Meeting

2010-04-09T07:03:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday night, I attended a portion of the Bedford bike plan. The Bedford Town Meeting has a legacy: Richard Gere must have presented here before opening his new restaurant, The Bedford Post Inn, and Martha Stewart, as she restores and renovates her 153 acre Bedford home.

The presenter was Terry Burke, an active member of the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester-Putnam. He's presented the first edition of a plan that would implement simple steps to improve biking and walking without affecting the current budget. It includes implementing bike safety measures on State Routes 22 and 117 as part of the Mid-Hudson South Plan developed in 2000 by the State DOT, ensuring cyclist commentary on new construction and development, coordinating with neighboring jurisdictions, and actively including residents comments. He would like to have a source of funding for future years, but mentioned things such as grants and Safe Routes to School.

The board seemed both positive and supportive of his initiative.

Any resident who would like to see the plan will be able to access a copy through Bedford's website, and can send comments to bedfordbikewalk@gmail.com

Bike Pedestrian Plan for Bedford...

2010-04-05T10:26:00.000-07:00

I received this in my email today. Maybe I'll see you there?

WCC member Terry Burke has led the effort to put together a bicycle-pedestrian plan for Bedford, which will be presented Tuesday, April 6, to the Bedford Town Board. The board expects to discuss it early on the agenda. It would be great to have cyclists come out to support the work of Terry and his committee. Bedford has some of the most beautiful roads in the county....The meeting is Tuesday at 8 p.m. at 321 Bedford Road, Bedford Hills....

Bike Safety ReVIew

2010-03-27T13:41:00.000-07:00

This morning I met with a local town planner, and we found ourselves talking about bike safety. Although architecture and planning changes can increase the safety of bicyclists, it is certainly still our duty as bike riders to practice skillful riding and not wiping out. The more cyclists we have on the rode, the more important this information becomes.

Here's a link to a fantastic, detailed bike safety site that goes beyond the basic rules of helmets and signals.
http://bicyclesafe.com/

Daaaamn, you lookin' good.

2010-03-27T12:21:00.000-07:00

This is my fave shot I took from Portchester, NY, right outside of Costco....can you tell?

And here, from a recent ride between Valhalla and North White Plains....

Westchester Bike Summit 2010

2010-03-27T11:39:00.000-07:00

The Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester & Putnam invites you to our 2nd annual Westchester Bike Summit, on Thurs. May 6, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Greenburgh Town Hall, 177 Hillside Ave., Greenburgh. This year, we are gathering together planners, state and local government officials, cyclists, and leaders in the local bike industry to discuss ways to make our region more friendly to those who get around on two wheels.

3 p.m. Welcome from Bike Walk Alliance President David Wilson
3.15 – Kate Slevin, executive director, Tri State Transportation Campaign – She’ll talk about state and local initiatives in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, looking at how communities are coming together to improve the streetscape for cycling.
3.30 pm – State Sen. Andrea Stewart-Cousins – She discusses the Safe Passing law she is sponsoring in Albany, which would require motorist give cyclists a three-foot buffer when passing. She sponsored the bill after Greenburgh resident Merrill Cassell was killed in November on Route 119 after being sideswiped by a Beeline bus.
3.50 pm - Tom Madden, Greenburgh planning commissioner – He’ll discuss the town of Greenburgh process of incorporating bike-friendly elements into a town’s master plan. By doing so, a town will then have a plan in place when the state or town begins a road resurfacing or reconstruction project.
4.10 pm - Steve Kahn, owner, Danny’s Cycles of Scarsdale and Mohegan Lake – Bike shops in Westchester play a crucial role in building our local cycling communities. They provide us with our bikes, and keep them in running order. They also provide jobs and tax revenues for our local economy.
4.30 pm – Sandra Fry, principal transportation planner, Connecticut Regional Council of governments – CT Transit, like many public transportation systems in America, has bike racks on urban buses to extend the reach of Connecticut’s mass transit system. We’ll learn about how Connecticut did it, and the state’s experience.
4.50 pm - Michael Oliva, Mid Atlantic trail coordinator, East Coast Greenway Alliance – Oliva will discuss the East Coast Greenway route in Westchester, and the challenges to complete the route along the Hutchinson River Parkway and from the Bronx to Bronxville.
5.10 pm – Lukas Herbert - Westchester County associate planner Herbert will discuss how town can encourage bike and pedestrian amenities in new projects. He’ll also give an update on the county trailway system.
5.30 pm – Jackson Wandres, Landscape Architect and Michael Dannemiller, Planner, RBA Group - Wandres will discuss the Complete Streets movement and show ways communities are incorporating bike/pedestrian improvements into road projects. Dannemiller will review regional Complete Streets efforts and resources available.
5.45 pm. - Planner Stephen Lopez will present a proposal for new standards that the county and local governments can use while resurfacing or reconstructing local roads to include bike-friendly features.
6 pm – Larchmont Village Trustee Richard Ward and Peter McCartt of Eastchester Environmental committee – Ward and McCartt will talk about initiatives with bike parking at transit stations and road “sharrows.”
6.15 to 7 pm – Closing comments, and reception, sponsored by Westchester Cycle Club.
The event is sponsored by a grant from the Westchester Community Foundation. Co-sponsors include the town of Greenburgh and Westchester Cycle Club. Call David Wilson at 914-217-5600 or email him at davidmckaywilson@aol.com

P-ville to Manhattan, in four hours or less.

2010-03-24T06:23:00.001-07:00

This weekend, I went on a birthday bike ride, from Chappaqua to the East Village. A four hour ride for Italian food! The route is much easier than I imagined; nearly all of it is on flat multi-use paths, and there are only a few areas that are tricky. And I counted 130 bikes during the 2 hours I was in Westchester! I totally stopped counting the moment I hit the Bronx.

**The Route**
1. I began biking from my house(on State Road 117) to the Pleasantville beginning of the North County Trailway, which is at 9A. This was a little tricky: 117 is bumpy, windy and narrow; and there is a gi-normous hill shortly before the path. Lots of inhaled car exhaust. Yum.

Suggested improvements: sidewalks and wider shoulder along 117 in Chappaqua; marked signage and sharrows through Pleasantville indicating directions to the Bike Path.

2. I rode the North County Trailway south to Elmsford. This was calm, pleasant, peaceful, even boring. A great way to catch my breath after the hills. It ends up at a town dump, where that, and an animal shelter, block the construction of the connection between the North and South County Trailways. At that point, I made a left, and rode State Road 9A for exactly one block, turning right onto North Payne Street, a subsequent left on Hayes Street, which I followed til the entrance to the South County Trailway.

Suggested improvements: better signage on the North County Trailway: East/South/North/West Routes, with milage markers, etc. Some roadside attractions: paintings, a statue, would be unnecessary but pleasant. An Absolute MUST: finish the trailway. If that proves impossible for political reasons, then at the very least, sharrows and signage for the connection between the trails is imperative to getting more people biking for transportation, between the two.

3. South County Trailway, South, to Yonkers. Then I road down to the end of the South County Trailway. A beautiful view of the Saw Mill River Parkway is to our right; we pass a lake, a bridge, a dam. It's all very attractive. We end up on Toissant Road, where a part of the South County Trailway is blocked due to an Auto Parts Shop, which had bought the railroad right of way a long time past. To make up for it, I turned up to Tuckahoe Road(dangerous, fast cars), road up a very high hill called Rockne road for several blocks. (I actually walked my bike for a bit at this point).

Somehow we connected into Tibbetts Brook Park, and resumed riding on the South County Trailway. Only god knows how. And my dad.

Suggested Improvements: CONNECT the TRAILWAY. In lue of this, leave the off-road hill, and post sharrows and signs on the connecting sections. It is very confusing otherwise to bikers. This would do an enormous amount to increase cycling to and from New York City.

4. Road the lower part of the South County Trailway through to Van Cortland Park, a dirt trail that is a bit muddy at times, but generally supportive of bikes.

Suggested Improvements: pave the path, signage and milage.

5. Wound up on Bailey Avenue in the Bronx. We connected over to Broadway; road for several blocks, crossed the Broadway Bridge, and made our way down to the Manhattan Greenway, or Hudson River Greenway as it also goes by. Biked along this until 25th Street, when I crossed into the street system.

Suggested Improvements: SIGNAGE. How many times have I said this? A sharrowed, signed bike lane from Van Cortland Park to the Manhattan Greenway would make biking much easier. It also gets a bit dangerous at this point: lots of connections with cars. But also more exhilarating? More people in the road. The Greenway? Is gorgeous.

6. Left on 25th Street. Right on Broadway. Continuing local directions until I reached my friends apartment on 2nd Street, between 1st and Avenue A.

Suggested improvements: improved police enforcement of bike lane rules. Bike boxes at intersections, placing the bikes in front of the cars. Greater separations of lanes to prevent dooring and car connections.

7. Italian food.

Suggested Improvements: None.

P.S I took the Metro-North with my bike back; I felt like a jerk for having one on the train, as they don't really fit, and I had to keep my hand on it the whole ride. Bike storage within the trains would be a wonderful, wonderful improvement.

Chappaqua/Pleasantville Meeting

2010-02-25T20:53:00.000-08:00

We had the Chappaqua/Pleasantville meeting last night, in my parent's living room, amidst the beginnings of an epic snowsnorm. Members of the Westchester Cycling Club gathered, along with myself and friend/s, to discuss how we could make our local community more conducive to bike and pedestrian use.

Overall, the general consensus was that improvements to State Route 117- a sidewalk or multiuse path, and widening the shoulder for bikes- was essential. Also agreed on was the potential for a multiuse path alongside the train tracks, running from Pleasantville to Chappaqua to Mount Kisco. A sharrowed system of bike paths could also run on local roads with minimal 117 use.

One neighbor mentioned the need for a safe bike path to the North County Trailway entrance in Pleasantville; another mentioned the lack of bus shelters or safe access to bus stops.

I'm in the process of contacting town planners for Chappaqua to find out the status of the sidewalk project, which has already been partially planned and is waiting to be implemented. We discussed the potential for starting a multi-town petition, in the case that the State DOT is in charge of the project, or that the planning board dismisses our ideas.

Congestion Pricing and Westchester

2010-02-17T09:33:00.000-08:00

As NYC considers raising the rate of Metrocards (AGAIN); and transportation officials analyze traffic data that shows that over half the city takes public transportation to work, and the ones who drive are "disproportionately affluent", a question is raised:

Who exactly drives in New York City?

And of those drivers, who voted against the legislation?

Well, I, for one, did just this weekend. Granted, I carpooled, but it was still a car. And I did the week before. And the week before that, as well.

Why?

Because I live in Westchester. In the suburbs. And while there are very adequate train and bus systems in Westchester, they are either exceedingly expensive(the train: $20 round trip to NY, for a 40 minute ride) , and/or exceedingly time-consuming ($11 round trip, for an hour and a half). The car ride? 45 minutes, with the cost of gas, parking, and maybe a small toll. Money sometimes trumps public transportation advocacy.

Although I haven't yet read the study, I am very inclined to believe that the suburban population of New Yorkers(NY-staters) who work and play in the city, but retreat to the outskirts to live, plays an influential role in holding back congestion pricing. In fact, our representatives voted against it.

Why? Because it could be expensive, and people can't afford it. Because it would put an undue burden on trains, which are already packed to the brim and lacking parking. Because nobody convinced them otherwise.

So, in this time around, I would like to make the argument that, if New York City wants to win Congestion Pricing this time around, transportation advocates need to take some time to get out of the city, and attempt to win over Westchester, Rockland, and Long Island. Or at least one of them.

Because New Jersey can't vote.

Bikes, Beers & Cheese!!!

2010-02-16T09:41:00.000-08:00

The first meeting of the Chappaqua chapter of the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester-Putnam! (BWAWP) is in the works.

On Wednesday, February 24th, at 7:30 pm,
Awesome workshop planned to discuss the potential future of biking and walking...in town..right here....with brew-skies.

Will include:
*introduction of BWAWP, it's goals, and current actions
*Brainstorming session to choose focused projects for Chappaqua.
*Visions on what is currently planned around Westchester and NYC
*Drawing, photos, and short films!
*yummy snacks and beer!

Come out to support biking and walking; to learn about what's happening in your community; to share your knowledge and opinions; to socialize...and to represent!

Hope to see you there!

BWAWP has plans to set up chapters in each township and hamlet of Westchester and Putnam, to advocate individualized biking plans to meet everyone's needs.

NYC Biking is UP

2010-02-15T13:09:00.000-08:00

Streetsblog New York City » Streetfilms: Sharrows Point the Safe Way to Bike Across Rail Tracks

2010-02-12T15:53:00.000-08:00

Streetsblog New York City » Streetfilms: Sharrows Point the Safe Way to Bike Across Rail Tracks

CrAsH

2010-02-05T20:15:00.000-08:00

An 11-year-old boy was hit in Pelham yesterday by a drunk driver, with three minors in the car. And the driver will still be allowed to drive to work.

Here's a link to the article on Lower Hudson.com

Thankfully, and incredibly luckily, only the eleven-year-old's shoulder is injured, after he hit the windshield and almost undoubtably totaled his bike. May he heal in time for summer vacation...

White Plains Bike Meeting

2010-02-05T05:33:00.000-08:00

Last night, in the cozy home of a White Plains resident, members of the Bike Walk Alliance of Westchester-Putnam (BWAWP) and the East Coast Greenway met with local citizen activists to brainstorm and plan the potential future of biking in the city of White Plains, NY.

White Plains is about 30 miles from New York City, and has around 57,000 residents, many of whom commute into Manhattan daily.

The East Coast Greenway will be building paths in and around the city, and would like the city to fill in some of the infrastructure gaps that local cyclists will continue to feel.

So far, bikers mentioned a lack of safety, lack of bike parking, lack of quality bike parking, and lack of signage; as well as emphasis on cars as the primary transport, and a city rule that reserves an enormous amount of space for car parking

Ideas for potential solutions included securing donations of bike parking facilities; prioritizing an East-West path and a North-South path through White Plains as favorable cycling roads, and developing along those roads through painted sharrows, cycle tracks and bike boxes. Another idea mentioned was inviting city officials to a bike party to raise awareness and good feelings.

A ride around White Plains to determine most desirable boulevards will be held by BWAWP White Plains Chapter in early March.

To get involved with the BWAWP, either in White Plains or other parts of Westchester-Putnam Counties, email: Mike@greenway.org

Ghost Bike Memorial

2010-02-04T06:53:00.000-08:00

BikeNYCBurbs

2010-02-03T22:32:00.000-08:00

Westchester County is a county with a tremendous amount of potential, and an enormous carbon footprint. According to Wikipedia, it "covers an area of 450 square miles and has a diverse population of approximately 950,000, residing in 45 municipalities". With the Hudson River on the west, the Long Island Sound and New York City to the South, it is an area rich with rivers, culture, cities, trees, and....some public transportation. And some bike paths.

But not enough.

I grew up, for the most part, in a small town in Northern Westchester named Chappaqua. While Chappaqua is an extremely wealthy area in terms of median income, it is tragic in terms of infrastructure. I have seen third world countries with better conditions. What is so wrong?

The roads have no sidewalks.

The buses have no shelters.

The buses often only come every hour and a half.

There are no bike paths.

The roads are windy, people drive fast, and are dangerous.

There are a number of small introductions that could be done to this area, to make it bike, walk, and public transportation friendly. A number of the residents don't have cars: youth under the age of 16, the elderly, people with disabilities, some immigrants, some NYC natives. My goal with this site is to capture what potential lies in this wealthy area, to inspire conversation and ideally, action. Are you with me? I hope so. If you live in the area, are interested in advocacy and don't know where to begin, please contact me at arielleb@pdx.edu. Thank you!

BikeNYCBurbs

Check out Dahlia's new Streetfilm!

Summer Streets

BWAWP

Our County Bike Trails - Westchester Magazine - May 2010 - Westchester, NY

New Exciting Things!

***Commute-Friendly Bike Parking***

Global Warming is *hot*.

Democrats Move Convention to Westchester

Bedford Planning Meeting

Bike Pedestrian Plan for Bedford...

Bike Safety ReVIew

Daaaamn, you lookin' good.

Westchester Bike Summit 2010

P-ville to Manhattan, in four hours or less.

Chappaqua/Pleasantville Meeting

Congestion Pricing and Westchester

Bikes, Beers & Cheese!!!

NYC Biking is UP

Streetsblog New York City » Streetfilms: Sharrows Point the Safe Way to Bike Across Rail Tracks

CrAsH

White Plains Bike Meeting

Ghost Bike Memorial

BikeNYCBurbs

Commute-Friendly Bike Parking

Global Warming is hot.