Some of the local papers have been pointing out that there have been pedestrian casualties along ACP but apparently a group of vocal locals do not want any changes made to the boulevard because it would affect the avenue's cultural heritage: LINK
Tuesday, July 31, 2012
☞ REVIVE: Safety Improvements on ACP
Some of the local papers have been pointing out that there have been pedestrian casualties along ACP but apparently a group of vocal locals do not want any changes made to the boulevard because it would affect the avenue's cultural heritage: LINK
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I drive a scooter and I try to avoid driving on ACP. It is not only dangerous to make a left-hand turn (because I'm always fearful of getting rear-ended while waiting to make the turn), but I'm also afraid of having a car make a left-hand turn in front of me. With the tall center medians, and the tree/shrubbery, I'm hidden from view until I'm just feet from the intersection. I don't know whether the specific changes will make things better, but I'm certainly open to the idea that something needs to be done.
ReplyDeleteI vote that it be extended all the way down to 110th Street. The same dangerous conditions exist, so not sure of the arbitrary cut-off at West 134th Street.
ReplyDelete@fabromsil:
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about that arbitrary cut-off myself.
Maybe its a budgetary issue?
Why don't people want changes to improve pedestrian safety. It boggles my mind. Everyone needs to call or write the DOT in order to show support to make this and many more changes like this across Harlem so our elderly are not killed anymore! http://www.nyc.gov/html/mail/html/maildot.html
ReplyDeleteNeed to take care of the old folks that is for sure, but no sympathy for the morons who saunter across ACP with complete disregard for traffic or traffic rules.
ReplyDeleteI think the concern is that ACP is a historic parade route in Harlem and that somehow these traffic calming measures will somehow change the character of the boulevard and/or change the parades that are held along ACP each year. Or at least that's my understanding. Someone correct me if I'm wrong. I live on Lenox but at this month's tenant's association meeting for my building people were up in arms about the possibility of changes being made to ACP. However, from what I can tell in the renderings above, the traffic-calming measures don't seem to significantly change ACP. I personally favor pedestrian safety. I cross ACP every day on my way to and from the subway and I really don't want to get run over.
ReplyDeleteHarlem's wide avenues are both a a good thing and a curse. Good because they allow for beautiful sweeping views up and down and they are simply stunning when everything is in full bloom.
ReplyDeleteA curse because people feel like they can zoom along without regard to pedestrians, traffic rules etc. As a driver I have seen how people drive at speed and pedestrians walk without any regard to what is happening around them.
I think the new plans with turning lanes etc make complete sense. The traffic patterns need to adapt to current conditions. Change is inevitable otherwise Harleem would still be full of dirt roads and gentleman farmers.
Makes sense. These things are already on broadway and they help.
ReplyDeleteAnd pedestrians think they can saunter across no matter what color the light is. I drive slow on all the boulevards; FDB, ACP, and Lenox fearful that some fool will just walk at will despite not having the green light to cross. It's a wonder there aren't more fatalities from careless pedestrian crossing, cell phones glued to ear, in their own world, combined with lunatic TLC drivers.
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with pignoli. I recently moved into the neighborhood and I am appalled at the complete disregard for traffic rules on the part of pedestrians in this neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteIt's almost as if pedestrians prefer to cross the street in front of waiting vehicles at exactly the time the light turns green. Forget about 125th street, which is basically one big crosswalk.
Have you been around midtown? People run across the street with reckless disregard for anything around them. How is it worst in Harlem?! In heavily populated areas in NYC, that will happen.
DeleteI'm all for this, but we can't overlook the idiots blasting up and down the avenues on their dirt bikes. Something needs to be done about them.
ReplyDeleteLet's not get too crazy. This pedestrian thing is not a "Harlem" thing. It's an NYC thing. I'm sure you've been been downtown and seen worse.
ReplyDeleteI've lived in brooklyn, hell's kitchen, spanish harlem and the upper west side, and unfortunately it is without a doubt the worst up here. Anyone is free to disagree. I'm just calling it as I see it.
DeleteWorse in the Bronx. Those young schoolgirls think the world stops for them. Just sayin'.
DeleteMaybe I am missing something, but, going to such lengths to oppose these road modifications is a little weird, the only reasoning I can see is, “don’t touch sacred Harlem, even if it saves lives”, which is a little weird.
ReplyDelete