In The Middle Of It All

New York City’s newest pedestrian-friendly islands won’t be making good buddies of midtown drivers anytime soon. Broadway’s pedestrian plazas merge four traffic lanes into two between Herald Square and Times Square. They’ll undoubtedly create additional traffic problems and pollution for midtown. For those who wish to be surrounded by speeding traffic and vehicle exhaust fumes, “Welcome to Fun City!” Other new traffic-related projects in Manhattan include a bicycle lane on Ninth Avenue between West 16th Street and West 23rd Street, bike lanes on both Washington Street and Greenwich Street and a bus-only lane along 34th Street. Let’s hope city officials are monitoring the popularity, safety and impact all these new initiatives have on both foot and vehicular traffic. It's not smart to play in traffic, or with it.

The Flood Of Pedestrians On Brooklyn's Ocean Parkway Bicycle Path

Fewer people than ever it seems are respecting the designated bicycle path that stretches from the Prospect Expressway to the Boardwalk in Coney Island. People often walk as though in a fog or else in a deliberate, uncaring manner. This puts them as well as bike riders in unnecessarily dangerous situations. It's enough to worry about cars, lights and broken pavement without having to negotiate around people, carriages and the occasional can lady's shopping cart. Try to tell them they're in the wrong and you'd better hope they don't hit you with a fallen tree branch!

Be courteous to your neighbors, people! Walk where you're supposed to. Getting hit by a fast moving bicycle can definitely ruin your afternoon stroll ... maybe even the way you're able to walk in the future.