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Re: Bike JC's Third Annual Jersey City Ward Tour, Sun. June 3, 2012
#1
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I rode for the entire tour this morning, mostly near the very front of the tour, and let me tell you, it was literally nearly a disaster, with some real, mortal, preventable dangers, and lacking some major organization and most basic safety implementations.

Where do I begin.

Let's start with the most dramatic - at some point in Greenville, the tour participants are cruising along, faithfully trailing behind the "marshals" - the volunteers put in place to lead the masses and serve as the tour's point men. We cross through an intersection with a red light for our direction (one of many we had already gone through - but of course, that's expected, right? It IS a bike tour after all).

Suddenly, 15+ bicyclists at the very front of the tour are nearly fatally t-boned by a sedan legally crossing the OPEN intersection, who had to slam on its breaks and screech to a stop, leaving the bicyclists on the left-most part of the lane literally leaning over with hand on the car's hood. 15+ people, nearly all killed, right in front of me. That would have marked the last bicycle tour in Jersey City for a hundred years.

This could have easily been avoided by 1.) closing off the intersections far in advance, 2.) posting a stationary non-bicycle marshal at each intersection to hold traffic as the tour approaches, 3.) having the police motorcycles focus more on the lead of the tour rather than deal with out of shape stragglers at the back 4.) re-routing traffic with signs and light boards in advance.

Let's talk more about the marshals. Granted, I appreciate their volunteerism, but I'm sorry, it is unacceptable for the LEAD marshals - the ones who are supposed to be commanding the group up front, the ones who should be exhibiting leadership - to be so painfully out of shape, soft spoken, and on bicycles that could not mechanically keep pace with 70% of the crowds' bicycles, even if an Olympic athlete were riding them. Yes, one of the TWO (just 2) lead marshals was on a 1-speed folding bicycling. Are you kidding me? No wonder they kept falling behind. I have no problem with their general desire to volunteer, but really the organizer needs to put the athletically best (with corresponding hardware) at the front of the pack to keep people in line.

Now for another organization boner. So we're in the portion of the tour that runs through Lincoln Park. You know in parks and residential neighborhoods, how sometimes the traffic authority will place in the middle of the road those cones with the signs that say "Yield to Pedestrians" or whatever? Many of them were left in the road for the tour. This may seem minor to a non-participant, but I assure you it created a pretty moderate danger. Realize that even a good rider, who is looking straight ahead and paying attention to neighboring cyclists, only sees these obstacles at the last second, as they are just short enough to be out of the line of sight from a short distance. Couple that with the fact that the metal signs are razor sharp, AND when someone strikes them it sways back and forth on a spring like some kind of horror movie torture saw, these thing were another unnecessary recipe for disaster. How could those have been left up for the bike tour?

Finally, I'd like to give some props to the bicycle-mounted police officers who bounced in and out of the tour lead, were in great physical shape, and who provided the assertiveness and verbal command of the crowd to generally keep people in line and in the right direction.

P.S. At the front of the tour, near the home stretch past the Heights, there was an accident involving a bicyclist who was accidentally bumped by another on a turn. He tumbled down but sprang right back up. Glad he's okay. But, to the absolute crazy bitch who was screaming bloody murder at the rider who inadvertently bump the downed rider ("HEY. YOU, NUMBER 386 [or whatever] STOP! STOP!!!!! STOPPPPPP!!!!!!!!"), please stop participating in these tours. No one likes you, and you only made things more unpleasant for people.

Posted on: 2012/6/3 22:11
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Motorcycle Shop / Service / Repair in Jersey City
#2
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Bad news! Second Street Cycles shop has closed for good! Apparently the building sold and they did not relocate.

Where can I have my motorbike serviced in Jersey City now?

My wife and I got this sick pink side car for my cruiser but every time we ride with my son in it, it bumps kind of loose when riding on the rough spots on Newark Avenue - I'm afraid we're gonna be on the 439 one day and the little guy is gonna roll away from us into the holland tunnel!

Posted on: 2012/4/15 1:59
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Re: Cycling allowed at Jersey City Reservoir?
#3
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


that's disappointing to hear. I was kind of hoping that even if the website didn't explicitly mention bikes that it might still be allowed or regular.

I'll have to check out the Hackensack river trail you mentioned, thanks.

Posted on: 2012/4/11 20:50
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Cycling allowed at Jersey City Reservoir?
#4
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I understand that the Jersey City Reservoir in the Heights next to Pershing field is now open to the public and has some "trails" that go around it.

Judging by the header photo on the website ( http://www.jcreservoir.org/vision ) , sure looks like a single track mountain bike trail to me

Does anyone know if trail biking is allowed there?

Posted on: 2012/4/11 2:18
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Re: What does Downtown Jersey City need in a new restaurant?
#5
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:

ripple wrote:
If something was on Newark Ave and stayed open all night, you could make a killing off of the after-bar crowd


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Posted on: 2012/3/26 0:39
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Where to buy a compressed air marine horn in Jersey City?
#6
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


The in-laws are coming to dock in the Paulus Hook harbor this weekend, and after a couple of close encounters with renegade ships up the atlantic coast, they're in need of a new air horn to alert passing boats - something like this:

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I ... K4n0XRL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

Does anyone know where I can get one of those in JErsey City? (Besides Modell's sporting goods - I've already checked there)

Posted on: 2011/12/1 15:52
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General pedestrian safety near Danforth & JFK in Greenville
#7
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Should I be considered at all for crime safety when visiting the New Jersey Firearms Academy in Greenville (174 Danforth, couple blocks southeast of JFK & Danforth).

I convinced my wife to check out some LivingSocial deal for a safety lesson and some range time over there before realizing exactly where it was. Now she is bringing a couple of her female book club friends too. I know that Jersey City is generally safe, but I see Greenville mentioned in negative terms quite often on this board, and can pretty much see Greenville mentioned for every single police blotter entry in a newspaper.

I don't make it over to Greenville often and I'm sure it has some nice pockets too, I just don't know enough to wonder if I should have any concern.

We would go on a weekend afternoon.

Posted on: 2011/11/12 2:42
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Where to buy a bunch of photo frames in downtown area
#8
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I'm looking to buy a bunch (50+) of photo frames (4x6 or 5x7), nothing fancy, some where in the downtown area. OBviously Target is an option, but open to other suggestions as well.

Posted on: 2011/8/9 0:40
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Digital Photo Printing
#9
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Any recommendations in Jersey City for digital photo printing?

Posted on: 2011/8/7 21:22
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Safety Issue: JC Employer Refuses to Address Bed Bugs
#10
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


My Jersey City based office has an increasing problem with Bed Bugs that isn't being addressed. I would like to bring more attention to it, at a city wide level - what should my recourse be? Should I contact Jersey City Health Department? Some other municipal service? The local media? Who do you think I should contact?

Posted on: 2011/8/2 15:39
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Re: 50 columbus
#11
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Anybody who lives or lived at 50 Columbus - what are you utility bills like per month?

Posted on: 2011/5/13 1:36
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Re: The Blizzard of '10 Awards
#12
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


There are so many candidates on Grove Street I don't know how to choose...I took this photo about 40 minutes ago...almost 2 days after it's stopped snowing
Resized Image

Posted on: 2010/12/29 3:18
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Re: The Blizzard of '10 Awards
#13
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


MOST RECKLESS DEMONSTRATION OF ABANDONED VEHICLE AWARD:

The asshat who abandoned their yellow Mustang GT at the southwest CORNER of the intersection of Grove Street and Montgomery. It must have been sometime Sunday night because it was decently covered/surround by snow. It was there as of 10am this morning (since removed). It made it so that only 1 lane of Montgomery was passable, forcing the east-west traffic to meter themselves

Posted on: 2010/12/28 3:50
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Water Quality in Jersey City?
#14
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Anyone have any idea as to the out-of-the-tap water quality in Jersey City? Just wondering if it's worth it to get one of those under the sink reverse osmosis water filters, or if city water (like some other major cities, like New York), is just fine as it is.

Posted on: 2010/9/20 16:28
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Re: motorcycle shop
#15
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


What's wrong with the place on 2nd St?

Posted on: 2010/9/18 18:09
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Re: What is with the trash and recycling guys?
#16
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Haven't had a problem here. Both the waste and recycling crews seem to be pretty consistent, quick, reasonably quiet, and appropriately discriminatory with whatever I put to the curb.

I'm more annoyed at the pedestrians that dump their personal trash in my recycling bins as they walk by on the sidewalk.

Posted on: 2010/8/24 1:52
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Re: Mini Golf, Beer and Hotdog event tonight
#17
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Wish I would have had some more advance notice; I definitely would have attended this

Posted on: 2010/7/23 1:53
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Mountain Biking accessible from Jersey City Public Transit?
#18
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Anyone out there go mountain biking moderately near and accessible to Jersey City? I don't necessarily mean steep cliff drop mountain biking, just any wooded/dirt trails, and that are accessible via NJ Transit out of Hoboken (or where ever?)

I don't have a car, but would like to get back into mountain biking regularly.

A handful of times of year, I make my way to Morris County (Morris Lewis Park or Tourne Park) for trail riding, but that's a good 1.5 hour train ride on NJ Transit. I was hoping someone might know of trails nearer by.

Posted on: 2010/7/10 2:05
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Jersey City's Gang Members Practice Safest Internet Browsing Habits in Nation
#19
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:
"...Atlanta, Georgia came out on top. Birmingham AL, Denver CO, Chesapeake VA, and Madison WI round out the top five worst cities. On the other end of the spectrum, Jersey City, NJ has the lowest per capita malware infection rate, followed by Santa Ana CA, Detroit MI, Boise ID, and Memphis TN. So, is there something special about Jersey City, NJ that makes it impervious to malware attack? Is there something insidious about Atlanta, GA that invites malicious software infections? Or is it purely random chance?"


http://www.pcworld.com/businesscenter ... ction_rate.html?tk=hp_blg

Posted on: 2010/7/7 2:32
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Re: Are there drug dealers loitering near Helen's Pizza?
#20
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I live just a couple blocks away from Helen's, and my neighbor, who has a police scanner, tells me that she hears Helen's mentioned and that "latin king/gang activity" comes across the airwaves; I usually tell my wife not to walk our stroller on the Helen's side of the street.

Posted on: 2010/5/15 4:00
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Re: Burgers & Burritos
#21
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


When I saw this thread open up on JCList and took a look at the unique menu, I was REALLY excited to check this place out. I even told some coworkers about it, suggesting that if it were good that we'd make it a regular lunch spot.

Unfortunately, when I went last week during lunch, I have to say that it was arguably worst Exchange Place lunch experience I've ever had, and will never go back, and will never recommend it to anyone. It's a shame too because it's not because of the food, but instead, because of what seems to be piss-poor management and ill-preparedness.

First, I go in all ready to try out their "Facebook Friend" promotion. Take a look at the website, and the FAcebook Fan Page - there is language that clearly says "All you need to do is tell the clerk that you're our facebook fan, and you get 1 free mini". So I order 3 minis, and mention the promotion when I go to pay, and the clerk tells me "no, you have to have a printed certificate." I point out that the Facebook Fan site also clearly says something along the lines of "We can't quite get these certificates to work, so just go ahead and mention youre a fan, and you get the free mini." Still, the clerk denies me. Besides the fact that the clerk was just plain WRONG and uninformed about the promotion, you'd think that for the sake of public relations considering it's a new restaurant he'd just say "hey man no worries, I'll give you the promotion anyway." But no, he just said pay up. Awful, awful, handling, and shame on management for not better informing staff about the change in the terms of the promotion.

Next, the wait. Mind you, I only order 3 minis, and "to go". Nothing fancy. There were only 2 other people there before me. These are minis - these are not 24oz New York Strips that need to be cooked medium well. The grill is right behind the cooks. I even struck a conversation with the clerks mentioning that this is my first time here, and I wanted to grab something quick to bring back to my desk at work. So, you'd think they'd be keen to my waiting time. But no, it wasn't until an agonizing 40 minutes had passed till I got those burgers. That is a mind-boggling amount of time to wait for what amounts to no more than 5-6oz of meat, hastily slapped onto a couple of buns.

Finally, I get back to my desk to actually eat the food that I had now ordered almost an hour ago. 1 of the burgers is cold, and 1 of the minis was in the form of a burger even though I ordered as a burrito. If I hadn't already exhausted my lunch hour, I would have gone back to get it fixed, but couldn't waste another 40 minutes there. That's 40 minutes, for 3 little minis, and a To-Go order.

Even in this train wreck of an experience, there was one "tall midget in the circus" - the food was actually very good (even the cold one). All ingredients were fresh, and the combinations were both palatable and unique.

Overall, the nail in the coffin for me was the wait time. I don't buy that poster's line about "unexpected rushes" either - it's LUNCH TIME in a business district. How can you not anticipate that? My 8-year old runs his lemonade stand better than this place is managed. And there still were no more than 8 people there by the time I got my order either, so I'm not so sure about this phantom rush excuse. I genuinely feel for the staff, because it was clearly that they had no leadership or direction from management.

I love Jersey City and would normally hate to slam a new business (especially one where the food is actually good), but the way this place is currently managed really hurts our community's image.
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Posted on: 2010/3/29 14:59
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Looking for a laminator for a couple of posters
#22
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Hi, I'm looking for a laminator to laminate a couple of posters. That is, I'm not looking to buy my own laminator, just a shop that I can pay to do it for me.

Posted on: 2010/3/25 14:28
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Re: Google asks communities if interested in trial service for super fast internet -- Why not JC?
#23
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:

DCofJC wrote:
I've got bad news for you....you can do this already. All you need is an ipod/phone/touch or any other video playing thing.

Also, your argument is weak. I am sure parents thought the same way about hi-speed internet and cell phones in the beginning. Look at the world now! Although I doubt JC will be chosen, it's inevitable that this service will be available to the world sooner or later anyway so why not take advantage and try to move our city forward??? We can either try to put JC on the map, get some technological advances or sit here and watch the world drive by us like it already has been doing.....


All I'm saying is, I know that I wouldn't feel safe having my wife pushing my kid's stroller down grove street with all the riff raff that the googlenet will attract. I agree that we need to move our city forward, but I think we have too many inhabitants that arent mature enough for that yet.

I'm friendly with some of the immediate family of one of our councilman, and I will certainly do what I can to influence that vote against this

Posted on: 2010/3/3 0:59
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Re: Google asks communities if interested in trial service for super fast internet -- Why not JC?
#24
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I have to disagree with the OP and some of the supporters on this thread. Jersey City is NOT the ideal candidate for this Google Internet Service. Unfortunately, I fear that there are a disproportionate number of people in our area who would abuse the service, and take advantage of the opportunity for technological advancement and growth. It's sort of the same reason that we don't want a White Castle on Grove Street.

Imagine your children, walking past city hall, only to be subjected to junkies pleasuring themselves to mobile porn, or Latin King members using the googlenet to perform coordinated attacks against bodegas. It might take a while before it gets to that point, but I genuinely believe it's a possibility, and should not be taken as an exaggeration

Posted on: 2010/3/2 19:54
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Re: Getting toddlers around JC on public transportation
#25
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:

o73o2 wrote:
Quote:

Pwens wrote:
Quote:

CapnJon wrote:
is it posted somewhere that certain strollers will be prohibited? I've never heard of it!

is this just for Light Rail? for PATH? NJ Transit busses?

thanks!
JC


@CapnJon, the officer said "NJ Transit and other Port Authority services", whatever "services" means. I took it to mean that the strollers won't be allowed on PATH or Bus too.

Another passenger mentioned that it's part of an attempt to encourage more of those strap-on baby backpacks, to save room on the train cars


this sounds as a sick joke ... or the guy was fncking with you ... there is nothing on the njtransit website to that effect ... this could also be a difficult rule to enforce ... how would they treat a stroller with a rider-board?


It's not all strollers, just the double-wide ones and the big "off-road" style ones (I forget what exactly the officer referred to it as, but he gestured at mine, indicating it was too big). He just said it would be a summons issued, I don't think you get arrested on the spot

Posted on: 2010/1/13 3:08
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Re: Getting toddlers around JC on public transportation
#26
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:

CapnJon wrote:
is it posted somewhere that certain strollers will be prohibited? I've never heard of it!

is this just for Light Rail? for PATH? NJ Transit busses?

thanks!
JC


@CapnJon, the officer said "NJ Transit and other Port Authority services", whatever "services" means. I took it to mean that the strollers won't be allowed on PATH or Bus too.

Another passenger mentioned that it's part of an attempt to encourage more of those strap-on baby backpacks, to save room on the train cars

Posted on: 2010/1/12 18:25
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Getting toddlers around JC on public transportation
#27
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I was wondering the parents had any tips on getting toddler-aged kids around on public transportation in JC. My wife and I are looking for new techniques that are both pleasant for our 18-month old and easy on our aging backs.

Last week on the light rail, an NJ Transit officer informed my wife that beginning next month they would begin enforcing a ban on double-wide and "rugged" style baby carriages (with the bigger wheels and where the footprint of the frame is larger than the base of the baby's seat).

Before we go out and buy a fancy injury-averse baby carriage, we want to make sure we get the most practical yet compact baby mover possible, that's still compliant with the rules and regulations of our public transportation services.

Posted on: 2010/1/12 2:44
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Re: Liberty Science Center
#28
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


I've been to Liberty Science Center as both a child, and more recently as an adult with my own kids' field trips, and can enthusiastically say that each time is thoroughly enjoyed. The interactive exhibits are genuinely interesting; I definitely walked out of there feeling like a wannabee middle school science teacher. The only downside is the increasing presence of Latin King members loitering near the soda pop machine just outside the iMax ticket window, and playing dice in the parking lot. I've also noticed that they are trying to holler at my wife, even with me next to her!

Speaking of which, the iMax science/nature are worth a trip in and of themselves - unlike the Hollywood films now shown as special features, the science presentations are filmed in a format designed specifically for the dome shaped back drop.

Posted on: 2010/1/7 1:51
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Re: Lafayette Neighborhood Watch Mon, Nov 2, 7pm
#29
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


newlafayette, please PM me, one of my friends who is a former jersey city gang member is insterested in being a guest speaker. some of his friends may participate too; they are some still in the gang but will have contributings for the meeting. I can atest for them

Posted on: 2009/10/28 19:08
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Re: Running on the Jersey City streets
#30
Quite a regular
Quite a regular


Quote:

missmags wrote:
I ran last night on Kennedy blvd and there are some interesting characters out there. All in one evening I had a homeless person ask me for money while I was running, had a group of teenagers try and run with me as a joke, got strange stares from people on the street confused why I would run in a tank and shorts and men whistling at me as I go by.

Can't a girl just run on the streets of Jersey City listen to her Ipod and focus on running faster and stronger.

Anyone have any good routes they run where they can run in peace?


I work for the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (roads division), and I really have to recommend that you not use street/sidewalk facilities for athletic exercises; they're just not designed to support full-fledged sporting events like you're describing. As a driver myself, the presence of joggers, pedestrians, and baby strollers make me feel anywhere from nervous to angry when I try to make my way through the Journal Square area; I'm sure other drivers feel the same way

It's really a safety issue - remember, our engineers need to design our roads to support motor vehicle traffic first and foremost. Any accommodations they need to make for pedestrian sports are arguably compromising the integrity of the road system.

I've been using Brickhaus Gym in downtown for their treadmills, and I have to say, it's a much more pleasant experience than trying to compete with car traffic; plus you have the peace of mind that you're doing the city a favor.

Posted on: 2009/10/28 18:51
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