tommyc_37 wrote:
The street itself has nothing to do with Newark,

elsquid wrote:
JJ article on the adjustment to reopen Erie at Newark:

Article

elsquid wrote:
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MikeyTBC wrote:
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Azul_the_Cat wrote:
Watch out for the new scourge of the pedestrian plaza. Bicyclists. Those two wheeled animals and their bell ringing. Wont someone think of the children?

I was wondering if I was going to get any snide comments as I rode my bike through just above a snail's pace last night, sans bell. Luckily I escaped without a scolding or anyone trying to knock me to the ground with a "do-see-do hip check or clothesline."

I'm a Bike JC board member, and we haven't taken an official position on this yet, so this is just my personal opinion.

As I understand it, riding a bike is technically illegal within the pedestrian plaza (hence the name).

However, I suspect what will happen here is what tends to happen in NYC's makeshift/part-time pedestrian streets, e.g., Fulton Street in the Financial District:

When foot traffic is light or mostly just passing through, and there is lots of room in the street, a cyclist proceeding slowly, carefully and respectfully through will usually be tolerated pretty well by pedestrians and police. That?s what was happening during the evening rush last night, when I deliberately observed bike traffic for about half an hour. Nine out of 10 cyclists were just riding through the open spaces in the street, all keeping it mellow, and nobody seemed to mind. A few cyclists were also arriving at businesses within the plaza, and they generally rolled in a ways before dismounting. And actually, I didn?t see a single cyclist riding on the sidewalks(!), no doubt because suddenly none were afraid of being hit by cars.

But at peak times when (if) the street fills up with people just strolling, people sitting at outdoor tables, random piano players, etc., it will become annoying and dangerous to bike through, and most cyclists will get off and walk or will ride around the block. I know I will.

In other words, common sense will prevail.
Shocking, I know! But I?ve seen it happen. Personally I?d be satisfied with that outcome.

MikeyTBC wrote:
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Azul_the_Cat wrote:
Watch out for the new scourge of the pedestrian plaza. Bicyclists. Those two wheeled animals and their bell ringing. Wont someone think of the children?

I was wondering if I was going to get any snide comments as I rode my bike through just above a snail's pace last night, sans bell. Luckily I escaped without a scolding or anyone trying to knock me to the ground with a "do-see-do hip check or clothesline."

elsquid wrote:
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I_heart_JC wrote:
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elsquid wrote:
The city said the closures would include Erie from Newark to Bay, and it started that way today, but by 6 they had moved the western barricades in about 50 feet east to the east side of Erie, allowing cars to turn left off Newark onto Erie going north. Not sure why that's being done.

It looked to me like it was adjusted to facilitate those going north on Barrow. The right-quick-left dogleg turn from Barrow to Newark to Erie is a lot less cumbersome than the left-sharp right-left turns they'd have to make to go Barrow-Newark-Bay-Erie.

I don't think so, because Barrow was switched to one-way southbound between Newark and Columbus, with a whole bunch of southbound arrows painted on the street for emphasis. The only cars turning left onto Erie were those coming in eastbound on Newark.

Azul_the_Cat wrote:
Watch out for the new scourge of the pedestrian plaza. Bicyclists. Those two wheeled animals and their bell ringing. Wont someone think of the children?

I_heart_JC wrote:
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elsquid wrote:
The city said the closures would include Erie from Newark to Bay, and it started that way today, but by 6 they had moved the western barricades in about 50 feet east to the east side of Erie, allowing cars to turn left off Newark onto Erie going north. Not sure why that's being done.

It looked to me like it was adjusted to facilitate those going north on Barrow. The right-quick-left dogleg turn from Barrow to Newark to Erie is a lot less cumbersome than the left-sharp right-left turns they'd have to make to go Barrow-Newark-Bay-Erie.

Azul_the_Cat wrote:
Watch out for the new scourge of the pedestrian plaza. Bicyclists. Those two wheeled animals and their bell ringing. Wont someone think of the children?

Yvonne wrote:

So where do you put the traffic? Saying it needs to be re-routed does not answer the question. More development is slated for that area which means more people and more cars. Yes, in the year 2014, people do have cars.

elsquid wrote:
The city said the closures would include Erie from Newark to Bay, and it started that way today, but by 6 they had moved the western barricades in about 50 feet east to the east side of Erie, allowing cars to turn left off Newark onto Erie going north. Not sure why that's being done.

Wishful_Thinking wrote:
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Yvonne wrote: So where do you put the traffic? Saying it needs to be re-routed does not answer the question. More development is slated for that area which means more people and more cars. Yes, in the year 2014, people do have cars.

People may have cars, but that does not mean Jersey City and it's urban planners need to accommodate them. Many studies have shown that reducing the use of cars is necessary for the environmental health and viability of urban areas, and in fact auto use is declining in US largest cities.

Carving out pedestrian ways and bike paths is a good start; but JC needs to look to successful models in the US and Europe, and actively discourage the use of cars http://www.scientificamerican.com/art ... arking-cut-auto-emission/ The city should not be requiring park as part of development; if you insist on using a car in urban areas in 2014 finding places to park it, and navigating traffic, should be your problem and not JC city planners who should have their eye on a more viable, sustainable future.

Bike_Lane wrote:
Just to be clear, it says on Saturdays and Sundays the closure will last from 12 a.m. to midnight. 12 a.m. is midnight. Will the closure be in effect 24 hours on Saturdays and Sundays (closes Friday afternoon, reopens Monday) or did they really mean 12 p.m. (noon) to midnight on Saturdays and Sundays?

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hamhock wrote:
Pedestrian plaza begins on Tuesday, August 19:

From the City's Facebook page:

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Beginning Tuesday, August 19, 2014, Newark Avenue from Grove Street to Barrow Street
and Erie Street from Newark Avenue to Bay Street will be closed from 3 p.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday and between 12 a.m. and midnight, Saturday and Sunday for the preservation of the public?s safety and welfare at the newly created pedestrian plaza.

?We are excited for the creation of the new pedestrian plaza at Newark Avenue as this will provide our residents more opportunities to enjoy the great restaurants and cafes in the area and take in music and culture, while contributing to a sense of community,? said Mayor Fulop. ?The City has worked with the businesses in the area on the street closures and we will continue to monitor the pilot program to measure the impacts and benefits, but we view this is a largely positive addition to the area.?