Author Archives: Lorenz M. Worden

A more generalized version of the following appeared in the “Letters to the Editor” in the Times Union on June 4, 2011.

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On May 18, bicycle riders in Albany commemorated the national “Ride of Silence” by riding to the various “ghost bikes” in the city. These white bicycles and the ride commemorate those cyclists killed in traffic.

One rider reported to me that on her way to this ride, the front wheel of her bicycle was struck by an aggressive driver at the ever-challenging Allen-Madison-Western intersection. She said another car driver attempted to chase down the offending motorist. While neither she nor her bicycle was harmed, the reality is that — regardless of fault — the bicycle rider always suffers most in any bicycle-motor vehicle collision.

My observations are twofold: that drivers in the city of Albany are generally considerate of cyclists but that many cyclists are somewhat casual in their approach to traffic laws and safety. The messages I hope to deliver are that cyclists need to be alert, careful and mindful of the law and that vehicle operators need to give a little consideration when near bicyclists.

My observation not shared with the general readership of the Times Union is that I frequently observe the following cycling offenses while riding and driving in the area:

– Riding the wrong way on a one-way street
– Riding on the left into traffic
– Not even pausing at red lights
– Not yielding to pedestrians in “zebra stripe” crossings
– Not even pausing at stop signs
– Riding on the sidewalk and frequently in an unsafe manner (e.g., too fast, dodging in and out of pedestrians)

The message need be that we, as riders, are responsible for setting the example to both cyclists and motor vehicle operators and, when on a bicycle, gently cautioning our fellow cyclists when we observe them behaving in an unconstructive fashion.

Written by Lorenz Worden

On Saturday, June 4, 2011, the Town of Bethlehem, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy, and Albany County hosted the Grand Opening of the Albany County Rail Trail, Phase One.

The Rail Trail reception area, staffed by volunteers from the Friends of the Rail Trail (FORT) Committee of Mohawk-Hudson Land Conservancy (MHLC), was at Adams St. and Hudson Ave. and featured maps, historical photos, and information about the trail. Guests received delicious oranges from the Honest Weight Food Cooperative while there were free ice cream cones for the early arriving children.

The first two-mile section runs from Veterans’ Park in Delmar (near the Stewarts) to Firefighters’ Park in Slingerlands (near the Tollgate). It is open to pedestrians and leashed pets from dawn to dusk. It is a “carry in-carry out” facility. Bicycles may use this first section of the Rail Trail but only after completion of some required safety features. However, there are bicycle racks at Veteran’s Park, the Municipal Lot on Kenwood near Delaware, and at Firefighter’s park. Cyclists must refrain from using the trail until it is opened to them.

Eventually, the Rail Trial will connect Voorheesville and the port of Albany, thus providing commuter and recreational access to downtown Albany and the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail. For more information on the Rail Trail, please visit http://www.mohawkhudson.org.

Written by Lorenz Worden

Our Bicycle Month 2011 community bicycle ride for May 11, 2011 was the “Tour de Parc” planned and led by Claire.

We started from two locations, joining up at the Henry Johnson Memorial at Madison and Willet in Washington Park for a quick ride to Christa’s Community Garden plot in Lincoln Park where Christa showed the developing fruits of her labor in her new plot. John then pointed out Beverwyck Creek as it can be heard flowing beneath a utility cover.

We next used the Holland Ave. Shared Lanes to cruise over to Ridgefield Park to check out the clay courts, the dirt pile, and our lighting as dusk was fast approaching. By the time we got to Westland Hills Park, dusk had arrived as we rode through the peaceful wooded path for another stop at the kiddy pool re-build project. Leaving Westland Hills, we again crossed a now-calm Washington Ave. soon to arrive at Brevator Park for another stop and explanation of the spray pool.

By this time of evening, even Western Ave. was mostly light traffic as we rode on it to Colonial and then down to Buckingham Lake (or Rafts Pond) and Park.

At this point, just after 9:00 PM, John headed off to the ‘burbs while Perry, Claire, Christa, and Lorenz circled the pond, cruised though beautiful Albany neighborhoods, and headed back downtown via New Scotland Ave. Even though there was a spring chill in the air, the well-lighted streets of the city combined with many charming neighborhoods made for a relaxing and pleasant ride.

Our next ride will be on a completing different theme – the National Ride of Silence to commemorate local riders killed on the road.

Written by Lorenz Warden

The Albany Bicycle Coalition continues to celebrate Bike Month with the second “Historic Mansions Bike Tour.” It will be a variation of last year’s ride. Plan accordingly: wear a helmet and bring water and a spare tube.

Sunday May 15th at 10:30 AM, meet us at the Albany Heritage Area Visitors Center on Broadway across from the Palace Theater. Our group is friendly and our pace is casual. One rider on last year’s inaugural Sunday morning tour, exclaimed, “I never would have thought about riding my bicycle in downtown Albany before today,” and another, “I never knew these old mansions were right here in Albany.”

We will visit the last of the 18th century homes built by the wealthy and powerful Dutch families of Rensselaerwyck including Van Rensselaer’s Cherry Hill, Revolutionary War hero Philip Schuyler’s Pastures and General Abraham Ten Broeck’s Prospect. Ride with us back in time and hear the fascinating stories each one of these houses has to tell. Two of our scheduled stops are taking part in New York’s “Heritage Weekend Event” and will be offering open houses, historical re-enactors, and vendors.

Optional get together and lunch follows.

For more info on the ride, call John at 518-225-4209. For more info on the “Heritage Weekend Event,” visit http://www.heritageweekend.org.

See you on Sunday May 15!

Written by Lorenz Worden