bodhipooh wrote:
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jcneighbor wrote:
I'd bet you that when the bikes go in at the corner of Jersey and Newark there won't be close 60" of sidewalk clearance. The kiosk is set well in from the curb and there are benches along the wall of the old bank. Just using that location as an example...

It's the same with the station on the corner of Warren and 1st Streets. But, apparently, we are being drama queens for pointing out the city's flaunting of federal regulations. I wonder how those same people would react if a restaurant purposely refused to serve blacks, or gays.

user1111 wrote:


The latter

jcneighbor wrote:
I'd bet you that when the bikes go in at the corner of Jersey and Newark there won't be close 60" of sidewalk clearance. The kiosk is set well in from the curb and there are benches along the wall of the old bank. Just using that location as an example...

jcneighbor wrote:
I'd bet you that when the bikes go in at the corner of Jersey and Newark there won't be close 60" of sidewalk clearance. The kiosk is set well in from the curb and there are benches along the wall of the old bank. Just using that location as an example...

rescuelife wrote:
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jerseymom wrote:
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bodhipooh wrote:
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rescuelife wrote:
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JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

Which stations are actually entirely blocking sidewalk access? I've seen some that cut into sidewalks a bit but not making them any more narrow than some existing sidewalks.

No one is claiming that entire sidewalks are being blocked. The issue is that these CitiBike stations are blocking enough sections of sidewalks as to render them in violation of established state and federal guidelines. A sidewalk needs to be 60 inches across for a wheelchair to be able to turn a full circle, or for two wheelchairs to be able to pass each other abreast.

Precisely. And to add to that, the racks are blocking a wide swath of the sidewalk - also a possible ADA violation. You can scroll to earlier posts within this thread where the exact specs are laid out. Specifically, though:

"All utility poles, light posts, traffic posts, fire hydrants, and other manmade vertical appurtenances are located outside of the sidewalk path. If right of way prevents relocation of an appurtenance, the pathway width is at minimum 32? wide and the length of the restricted pathway is no more than 2?."

Remember, this isn't just about someone in a wheelchair - this is about folks using scooter chair devices; walkers; and also for the visually impaired who have to navigate that sidewalk rack. Close your eyes for a second and imagine navigating one of the longer racks with some spots empty and some spots containing bicycles.

I really hope the city takes a good look at this compliance issue and asks front-line folks who are physically and visually impaired and their advocates for input as well.

I'm certain the Height's based Concordia Learning Center would be able to add their expertise to the discussion as well as the folks from JC Medical Center.

Soooo, are any actual stations in violation of this, or is it more speculative/looking for something to complain about Citibike?

jerseymom wrote:
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bodhipooh wrote:
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rescuelife wrote:
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JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

Which stations are actually entirely blocking sidewalk access? I've seen some that cut into sidewalks a bit but not making them any more narrow than some existing sidewalks.

No one is claiming that entire sidewalks are being blocked. The issue is that these CitiBike stations are blocking enough sections of sidewalks as to render them in violation of established state and federal guidelines. A sidewalk needs to be 60 inches across for a wheelchair to be able to turn a full circle, or for two wheelchairs to be able to pass each other abreast.

Precisely. And to add to that, the racks are blocking a wide swath of the sidewalk - also a possible ADA violation. You can scroll to earlier posts within this thread where the exact specs are laid out. Specifically, though:

"All utility poles, light posts, traffic posts, fire hydrants, and other manmade vertical appurtenances are located outside of the sidewalk path. If right of way prevents relocation of an appurtenance, the pathway width is at minimum 32? wide and the length of the restricted pathway is no more than 2?."

Remember, this isn't just about someone in a wheelchair - this is about folks using scooter chair devices; walkers; and also for the visually impaired who have to navigate that sidewalk rack. Close your eyes for a second and imagine navigating one of the longer racks with some spots empty and some spots containing bicycles.

I really hope the city takes a good look at this compliance issue and asks front-line folks who are physically and visually impaired and their advocates for input as well.

I'm certain the Height's based Concordia Learning Center would be able to add their expertise to the discussion as well as the folks from JC Medical Center.

bodhipooh wrote:
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rescuelife wrote:
Quote:

JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

Which stations are actually entirely blocking sidewalk access? I've seen some that cut into sidewalks a bit but not making them any more narrow than some existing sidewalks.

No one is claiming that entire sidewalks are being blocked. The issue is that these CitiBike stations are blocking enough sections of sidewalks as to render them in violation of established state and federal guidelines. A sidewalk needs to be 60 inches across for a wheelchair to be able to turn a full circle, or for two wheelchairs to be able to pass each other abreast.

rescuelife wrote:
Quote:

JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

Which stations are actually entirely blocking sidewalk access? I've seen some that cut into sidewalks a bit but not making them any more narrow than some existing sidewalks.

JCRider wrote:
Agreed that the "city officials" (User1111--do you know their names?) response was inadequate (ie, don't just say the stations can be moved easily, say that if they are indeed in violation of ADA that will be corrected as soon as possible! "Better understanding how and where people use the bikes" has nothing to do with a code violation.)

That said, User1111 deserves credit for going to the meeting and raising the issue. On that note, may I suggest that the time and energy being spent venting outrage and trying to put one another "in their place" on this message board would be more productively spent addressing Citibike directly about the issue?

Here is Citibike's contact info page:

http://www.citibikenyc.com/contact

I just called them and relayed the ADA violation concerns described below to the Customer Service Representative I spoke with, who told me that calls and emails on the subject sent to the customer service email address linked above would be forwarded to the appropriate person in the Citibike organization.

If you too are concerned about this, please call or send an email expressing your concerns and maybe this can be corrected in a timely manner.

I don't happen to know who in the JC government would be best to address this to, or I'd offer their contact info, too--perhaps someone else can chime in with that?

If nothing else, Citibike and the JC officials working with them will not be able to say later on they were never told about this!

user1111 wrote:
I just met with some city officials a few nights ago and this is what was told to my block association.. The stations are easily movable and they will be revisiting locations in the spring as they better understand how and where people use the bikes. So lets all take a chill pill.

jerseymom wrote:
Quote:

user1111 wrote:
I just met with some city officials a few nights ago and this is what was told to my block association.. The stations are easily movable and they will be revisiting locations in the spring as they better understand how and where people use the bikes. So lets all take a chill pill.

Thanks, User. I will let my physically and visually impaired friends know "to take a chill pill" for the next several months while all the experts figure this out.

jerseymom wrote:
Quote:

user1111 wrote:
I just met with some city officials a few nights ago and this is what was told to my block association.. The stations are easily movable and they will be revisiting locations in the spring as they better understand how and where people use the bikes. So lets all take a chill pill.

Thanks, User. I will let my physically and visually impaired friends know "to take a chill pill" for the next several months while all the experts figure this out.

user1111 wrote:
I just met with some city officials a few nights ago and this is what was told to my block association.. The stations are easily movable and they will be revisiting locations in the spring as they better understand how and where people use the bikes. So lets all take a chill pill.

jc_dweller wrote:
I'm a huge fan of this, but seeing the docks put in place has me a bit concerned.

The city has its own rules that bike racks can't interfere with the sidewalk (you need 5 feet of passage) and they are on many narrow sidewalks. I didn't measure but they look like the passage way will be very narrow. Are they not subject to their own rules? (I know the answer....)

NYC had the wisdom to widen many sidewalks to fit the bike racks by widening the sidewalks into (no parking) striped spaces on the street near corners. JC couldn't do this?!?! Come on.

bodhipooh wrote:
Quote:

jc_dweller wrote:
I'm a huge fan of this, but seeing the docks put in place has me a bit concerned.

The city has its own rules that bike racks can't interfere with the sidewalk (you need 5 feet of passage) and they are on many narrow sidewalks. I didn't measure but they look like the passage way will be very narrow. Are they not subject to their own rules? (I know the answer....)

NYC had the wisdom to widen many sidewalks to fit the bike racks by widening the sidewalks into (no parking) striped spaces on the street near corners. JC couldn't do this?!?! Come on.

Agreed. And, as discussed in another thread, this is not just a matter of city regulations: there are federal ADA guidelines and regulations to which the city is subjected. I wonder what will happen if some wheelchair bound person decides to sue. IIRC, it only took one day before they realized the folly of not following established guidelines in the design and implementation of speed humps before they had to take action to rectify the screw up.

jc_dweller wrote:
I'm a huge fan of this, but seeing the docks put in place has me a bit concerned.

The city has its own rules that bike racks can't interfere with the sidewalk (you need 5 feet of passage) and they are on many narrow sidewalks. I didn't measure but they look like the passage way will be very narrow. Are they not subject to their own rules? (I know the answer....)

NYC had the wisdom to widen many sidewalks to fit the bike racks by widening the sidewalks into (no parking) striped spaces on the street near corners. JC couldn't do this?!?! Come on.

elsquid wrote:
Quote:

iGreg wrote:
Great hat racks come winter time or will they swap out for snow tires ?

They're not terrible in a little snow. The tires are fairly wide, with a little tread, and the weight and solidity of the bikes seems to help with traction and stability. Also, the step-through design makes it easier to put a boot on the ground if things get hairy.

Of course most people won't ride in the worst of winter. But some will. I recall that NYC got 3,000 or 4,000 trips on one of the worst days last winter (with 6,000 bikes, but hey, someone rode).

iGreg wrote:
Great hat racks come winter time or will they swap out for snow tires ?