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iliveoffofbagels t1_ivv5qnd wrote

I'm actually surprised to see people walking in the area between the bike lane and the side walk. There is an area east of Penn... probably going down 34th... that has and entirely protected area for pedestrians on the street, but everybody was just crowding on the side walk. I guess more pedestrian street space for me. It was like heaven carrying a roller bag and having to deal with zero people as i was walking through quickly.

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ABrusca1105 t1_ivwevd8 wrote

I don't think people realize it's sidewalk.

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Methuga t1_ivwnmwg wrote

That's definitely what it is. When the change first happened, you'd see everyone still crowded on the regular sidewalk, then one brave soul would confidently step out and walk, then you would see more people slowly file out onto the new lane behind him/her. Not everyone's gotten the hang of it, but at least between 40th and 50th, it's pretty well used now

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ericje t1_ivwvkmb wrote

They should make it an actual sidewalk. In some places it's very easy for bikes to bike there, which they'll do if pedestrians are blocking the actual bike path. Like in front of the New Yorker hotel, where they designed it such that people get out of cabs right on the bike path 🙄.

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mapoftasmania t1_ivy1dxy wrote

They can’t. FDNY and other first responders need to be able to pull in there if there is a fire/emergency.

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huebomont t1_ivylajn wrote

They absolutely can widen sidewalks (in many cases the current sidewalks are far narrower than they used to be.) Plenty of streets way narrower than this. FDNY’s guidance isn’t based on anything but being too lazy to analyze in detail any real potential problems and taking the shortcut of “the status quo needs to stay the same”.

The intent with all painted sidewalk space is that it’s a footprint for future capital projects to build in concrete with a curb. The city just doesn’t have the money to do it because pouring a little concrete costs a billion dollars here thanks to corruption and graft.

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sammo62 t1_ivxt089 wrote

I walk that street every day and I only just realized from this comment…

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andyman234 t1_ivwfhu5 wrote

Almost got hit by a jackass on a moped in that area. A lot of bikers, scooters, etc run through that area.

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huebomont t1_ivyky3o wrote

that’s on 32nd and it’s terribly designed, they sectioned it off with planters so it looks like you’re not supposed to go into it.

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coaster29 t1_ivwahvq wrote

Maybe if these become more commonplace, people will get used to it and fill up the space?

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DeathPercept10n t1_ivxzvm4 wrote

This was great for when I go food shopping. Don't gotta worry about maneuvering through a bunch of idiots stopped dead in the middle of the sidewalk while I'm carrying like 5 bags of groceries.

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_allycat t1_iw8r9v9 wrote

Lots of confused tourists. Some areas are definitely more clear also like the spaces with tables and chairs. Doesn't help with confusion or feeling safe when bike's commonly ride through.

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The_Wee t1_ivy8cx1 wrote

I have seen this behavior even during quieter times at street fairs. I a walking up Lexington in the middle of the empty/barricaded street. People still walking on the sidewalks.

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