Ikea Fights Red Hook Bike Lane
Can’t we all just get along? Today brings yet another bike controversy to the fore. This one’s in Red Hook, where Ikea has clearly calculated that it’s entrenched enough that it no longer has to play nice. The Swedish megastore is fighting a plan by the Department of Transportation that would eliminate one lane of…
Can’t we all just get along? Today brings yet another bike controversy to the fore. This one’s in Red Hook, where Ikea has clearly calculated that it’s entrenched enough that it no longer has to play nice. The Swedish megastore is fighting a plan by the Department of Transportation that would eliminate one lane of southbound car traffic in order to install a four-block long bike lane on Columbia Street from Bay Street onto Halleck and Beard. It seems dangerous to officially encourage bikes to the front of Ikea, store manager Mike Baker said at a Community Board 6 meeting on Thursday night. In addition, the retailer threatened to back away from certain promises it made back in 2008 as part of being allowed to open. “If the … traffic management elements constructed and funded by Ikea are going to be modified … then Ikea is not responsible for impacting or remedying the vehicular flow in Red Hook.” Noah Budnick from Transportation Alternatives raised the same question we have: Ikea has enough enemies as it is in that neighborhood, I don’t know why they would stand up and oppose a safety project.
Ikea to City: No Bike Lanes! [Brooklyn Paper]
IKEA Plays Hardball to Block Bike Lane [Gothamist]
Photo by bitchcakesny
DH, modified frames where the gears and seat are higher than usual. I think the seat is around 6 ft from the ground. the only benefit I saw was they can look over cars to gauge traffic
By dirty_hipster on June 24, 2010 10:48 AM
….. Hipster scum.
‘Nuff said.
“DH, are you seeing more & more of those 6 foot tall bikes? I’m seeing a bunch of them in my area. was wondering if that has any benefits or just dudes getting bored and wanted something different”
I’m not sure what exactly you mean, but I used to see this guy riding up Lorimer St that had 3 bike frames welded together. He must have been 10 feet up in the air (couldn’t stop, obviously)
I asked a friend what was up with it and they said apparently there is some club that does super high bike jousting. Hipster scum.
by the way… “I don’t think this has NOTHING to do” was meant to read “I think this has NOTHING to do” 🙂
News flash: the RH locals that fought Ikea don’t ride bikes. old diesel Mercedes-Benzs, yes. Volvo & Audi station wagons, yes! Minis, yes! VWs of all shapes and sizes, yes! pick-up trucks with “welcome to Red Hook, now get out” bumper stickers, yes. Bikes, not so much.
They are basically a cry for attention, m4l.
DH, are you seeing more & more of those 6 foot tall bikes? I’m seeing a bunch of them in my area. was wondering if that has any benefits or just dudes getting bored and wanted something different
Yeah — like rf is hinting at, I don’t think this has NOTHING to do with bicycles. This is IKEA trying to wiggle their way out of a deal they brokered. If the DOT changes the traffic pattern anywhere *near* Red Hook (in any way), then obviously IKEA doesn’t have to do anything they promised to do.
Bunch o’ douche bags. It’s too bad I love their meatballs and $8 side tables.
I used to ride down to Red Hook on a regular basis. Bike lane really isn’t needed.