The Manhattan Bridge

For some odd reason, NYCDOT or whatever organization is responsible for such things, decided that a wrought iron fence was the perfect beautification piece to add to the sidewalk around the Manhattan Bridge. Sure, it looks all right, but it makes actually getting to the Manhattan Bridge bike lane an arduous process of crossing traffic, dodging right hand turning cars and banking 90 degrees to hit a sidewalk ramp. Instead of just waiting for a hole to open up in the traffic pattern and then going for it.

Additionally, they saw fit to remove the "bike ramp" addition that used to adorn the set of stairs that led up to the Manhattan Bridge bike lane. I remarked on several occasions that I seemed to be the only person using it, and mostly out of novelty's sake, rather than any practicality of it. So, needless to say I was beginning to wonder if the Manhattan Bridge bike/pedestrian lanes days were numbered. This misgiving was not dissuaded in any way by the number of scissor lifts (4) that were rolling around, hoisting workmen in the air to hang protective cloths on the edge of the fence that separates the pedestrian lanes from the subway. These fine fellows had the added experience of nearly disemboweling one another while trying to maneuver the scissor lift through a rather tight corner. Fortunately (at the time of squeezing by), no one was maimed. Though, I'm not certain how long that condition might last.

I just wanted to note for the record that I firmly believe that the Manhattan Bridge is one of the finest biking bridges in New York. It covers a smaller stretch (seemingly) of the East River, thus making it a quicker trek. It is almost imperceptibly trafficked -- few pedestrians and cyclists competing for a smaller footprint of space. And it ends in Brooklyn two blocks shy of the Brooklyn Bridge on/off ramp, which makes it almost the same starting point (ending point?). And if you're heading up the east side, it's definitely the way to go. A quick jaunt down Bowery to Allen and then you're on First. Or you can sneak down to the greenway to take a more leisurely and pleasant route. Plus, the view isn't half bad, though I think there are other bridges with better views.

In any case, I would be quite saddened to learn that this thoroughfare might be closed in the future -- that was what it seemed like the workers might've been preparing to unleash. I might have to learn to build a raft and float across.