Bike anarchy on the streets
To The Editor:
Re “Push for protected bike lanes on 5th, 6th Aves.” (news article, Oct. 30):
A cultural shift among New Yorkers is needed in order to reduce aggressive driving, jaywalking and other dangerous behavior on the streets, they say.
Why is dangerous behavior by bicyclists never mentioned? You cannot walk down a block without seeing a bicyclist going the wrong way, riding on the sidewalk, riding without lights at night, riding with headphones on… .
The bicycle explosion has been a disaster for the elderly, the visually handicapped, the cognitively challenged, and anyone whose head doesn’t spin around 360 degrees.
A cultural shift among cyclists is needed — along with vigorous enforcement of existing laws about what bicyclists can and cannot do.
Ned Sublette
Let’s float more ideas
To The Editor:
Re “L.E.S. residents mutiny over Pier 42 kayak plan” (news article, Nov. 6):
I find this fascinating! I cannot agree with a kayaking proposal because the East River is incredibly unsafe. At the same time, I do think as a community we need to think beyond outdoor pools — of which the city does have several.
This is an opportunity to create something for both the local demographic and for visitors alike that is a step up from the current public services. Let’s think a bit bigger, please, and maybe poll for good ideas rather than have one group say “kayak” and another say “pools.”
I can’t believe that we can’t get a bit more creative here.
Helen Avery
A better berm and bridge
To The Editor:
Re “New storm-surge berm for L.E.S. could begin taking shape by 2017” (news article, Oct. 30):
Does anyone know if the berms will be placed on the west side of the F.D.R., effectively making the park bigger by the Grand St. co-ops? Or will they be built on the east side, on existing parkland?
Also, has any thought been given to widening the bridge over the F.D.R. from Corlears Hook Park to East River Park, effectively making the two parks into one large park with the bridge serving as part of the berm?
Building the berm on the west side of the F.D.R. and widening the bridge to join the two parks together would not only provide protection against flooding, but would also give the LES a much larger — and needed — park.
Joseph Hanania
Sobering thoughts
To The Editor:
Two years after Sandy, what is being planned will help. But it won’t solve the long-term problems of climate change and storm surges.
And the problem keeps getting worse. Congress refuses to deal with the problem. The National Weather Service is woefully understaffed. The insurance companies are not writing flood insurance policies. The repair work from Sandy is taking much too long, and it is questionable if much of it will ever be completed.
Why is Europe so far ahead of us in dealing with its flooding problems? They have 50-year plans for the future that they are dealing with now. They are not playing catch-up like we are.
Robert Trentlyon
Lost without labyrinth
To The Editor:
Re “Union Square pavilion restaurant could be cooked, local pols say” (news article, Oct. 16):
I have long mourned the fact that the public no longer had free use of the pavilion in Union Square. I remember sitting there having snacks and quiet conversation with neighborhood friends back in the early ’70s. Later on, we never got over being stopped from entering the structure unless you paid to get in.
It is a community park, after all is said and done! Community life is not all about money, kids and dogs.
We also are saddened that the wonderful labyrinth, which used to be just to the north of the pavilion, was paved over and never redone. Many people actually took meditative walks in that labyrinth — at all hours.
Once you began the walk, it was amazing how the traffic sounds and city’s bustle retreated as you centered your thoughts and energy away from them. It had become a tradition for many — now it is lost.
George Jones
High marks for art
To The Editor:
Re “High above and just beyond” (arts article, Nov. 6):
This is one of the very best exhibits that I’ve seen this year or any year! Ellen is an extraordinary painter whose use of color, handling of light and perspective are amazing.
What skill she exercises in these High Line pictures! One of the most difficult things for any artist to do is to paint descending views. Yet, she succeeds in doing so in her vital and interesting canvases.
Great, great exhibit!
Ken Ratner
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