Members of a bike advocacy group, Right of Way posted unofficial 20 mph signs in Central Park on Tuesday in an effort to help raise awareness for pedestrian safety and the need to slow down. Official traffic signs in the park are 25 mph. The group also held a moment of silence for Jill Tarlov, who died after being hit by a bicyclist last Thursday in the park. (Photo: Ken Murray/NYDaily News)
Manhattan
There’s no need for speed in Central Park — at least according to the activist bikers who put up unauthorized signs Tuesday night that shave 5 mph off the limit, according to the New York Daily News.
“20 is plenty,” said signs put up by Right of Way, a biking group advocating for pedestrian safety.
“We’re trying to slow people down. The existing laws don’t work,” said group co-founder Charles Komanoff.
A half-dozen activists’ covert op involved a metal ladder and plenty of zip ties to affix 10 faux speed limits to light poles.
The group held a moment of silence near W. 63rd St. to remember Jill Tarlov, 59. Seriously injured by a biker last week, the mother and wife died Sunday.
Read More:
New York Daily News - September 24, 2014 - BY Kerry Burke
A Walk In The Park - September 23, 2014 - By Geoffrey Croft
A Walk In The Park - September 22, 2014
Woman Critically Injured After Getting Struck By Cyclist In Central Park
A Walk In The Park - September 19, 2014
The speed limit in Central Park is 15 mph. Cyclists sued the city in 1991 to raise it to 25 mph and lost in court. They also lost the subsequent appeal.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/24/nyregion/24bike.html
and
October 1991: Through Parks and Recreation Commissioner Betsy Gotbaum, city imposes 15mph speed limit on cyclists in Central Park in response to complaints about speeding riders. Lawsuit organized by Charles Komanoff, with T.A., NYCC, et al., as plaintiffs, issues procedural challenge; cyclists lose. They also lost on appeal.
from: http://www.whyiridenyc.org/nyc_cycling_advocacy_timeline_1960-2007.html