In search of intelligent life on the Hudson Bike Path

Recently I had a mishaps on the Hudson Bike Path near Laight Street.  It was my second close encounter this year and in the past 4 years I had a crash in that area. Once again I took a great tumble and hit the tarmac hard because of lack of communication from runners and cyclists.  If you have never had a high speed crash on the bike, well it is- let's say, not fun.  The outcome both times could have been bad, but I escaped real injury.  Although my wrist still is a bit tender and my head is still about fuzzy at times.

I am ALL for exercise and having fun.  I think it is great that ridership has grown enormously in the past 2 years with the Citi Bike Program and warmer weather.  But WE as a collective group using these bike "super highways" must learn to communicate.  Verbal is always great and definitely hand signals if you know them make a HUGE difference.  You can't turn slowly on the bike path from the far right and make a left hand turn-its called "T-bone" to the Spandex clad group.  Then we have a problem "Houston".  Flying over your handle bars is interesting but there is not a soft mat to absorb the shock.  I am not floating in antigravity like an astronaut in the Space Shuttle.  And when you hit your head as hard as I did, well stars are gonna twinkle in your blurred vision.

If you were in a car, would slow down in the far right lane on I-95 and make a left--disaster and mayhem will ensue.  So use you common sense. Telegraph what you are gonna do-hand signals, looking over your shoulder to check the coming traffic. Yes-thank you!  Join a group ride and you will learn for sure-you can ride with me and my CRCA/hatchmap Cycling Team; we will teach you and won't drop you.

In a Cyclocross race I pull over if the Masters 35 plus crowd is going to lap me in order to promote safety and not to impede the race for those who are actually going to win and receive gas money for driving 2 hours out of there way to receive pain and torture.  Well that is for another day to discuss.  But as a good sport and an unwritten rule you move over and wait; either rolling or at a full stop.

So please, please think of your fellow cyclists on these paths and communicate.  I know you are in your endorphin state of mind rolling on the road like an 8 year-old; I am too but I am doing 18-20 mph.  If you use hand signals I will slow down.  And by the way I bought one of those annoying bells and I am not afraid to "bling-bling" that thing until you get the message along with my verbal communication and hand signals.