As the weather warms up, more New Yorkers will head to Rockaway Beach to both walk and bike on the boardwalk.
Ahead of the summer season, the Parks Department announced a new rule banning bikers from cycling on the boardwalk between Beach 108th Street and Beach 73rd Street.
The aim is to prevent accidents between bikers and pedestrians.
What You Need To Know
- Starting Memorial Day weekend to October 1, biking on the boardwalk between Beach 108th Street and Beach 73rd Street will only be allowed between 6 a.m. and 9:30 a.m.
- Cyclists will be directed to a bi-directional protected bike lane along Shore Front Parkway in an attempt to avoid collisions with pedestrians
- The Parks Department has already implemented this rule at other busy city beaches like Coney Island and Orchard Beach
“I believe that the boardwalk is pretty safe. I live in Far Rockaway. I’m out here all the time — we do have designated bike lanes. I think it’s just people respecting the boundaries of where they should be,” walker Tanea Reynolds said.
The policy is set to go into effect Memorial Day weekend through October 1, but bikers will still be allowed on that stretch of boardwalk from 6 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
The Parks Department says these rules are already in effect at other busy city beaches like Orchard Beach and Coney Island. In this case, cyclists will be directed to a protected bike lane on Shore Front Parkway that runs along the boardwalk.
“To make sure the boardwalk is safe and accessible for all users, this summer we’re establishing pedestrian-only hours on the busiest stretches of the boardwalk, during the busiest parts of the day,” a Parks Department spokesperson said in a statement, in part.
Some bikers said the rule unfairly targets cyclists who come to the boardwalk to cycle and enjoy the beach views.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea. Clearly this [the boardwalk] was made with bikers in mind. There’s lanes for pedestrians, there’s lanes for bikes. I think it’s unfair to paint bikers with a broad brush that they’re all speed demons,” cyclist Rob Yasharian said.
“We’ve been biking here for many years and we’d like to continue doing that. It’s clearly unfair. They should really change the rule,” Boris Kleyman said.
Some pedestrians, however, said bikers can go too fast, and get too close to people walking.
“I think everyone worries, worry about the bikes hitting them,” pedestrian Ira Browne said.
“I think it’s reasonable because I think there’s a fair number of collisions and you don’t want anybody to get hurt. Safety is first,” Mary Mcgarvey-Depuy, who walks and bikes on the boardwalk, said.
