Bicycle Friendly Community signs spotted in Hoboken

Did you know that the “League of American Bicyclists“ decreed that Hoboken is considered a “Bicycle Friendly Community?”

Apparently bike lane paint qualifies you as a Bike Friendly City

Here’s what this group “bicycle advocates” has to say about Bicycle Friendly Cities:

“The Bicycle Friendly Community Program (BFC) provides a roadmap to improve conditions for bicycling in your community and offers national recognition for communities that actively support bicycling. A Bicycle Friendly Community welcomes cyclists by providing safe accommodation for cycling and encouraging people to bike for transportation and recreation. Each application to the Bicycle Friendly America program is reviewed by a panel of national bicycle experts and several local reviewers are consulted to share their on the ground perspective of the applicant.”

It seems like every group has some kind of “activist” representation these days. Turtle lovers. Seniors who power-walk. Those who love wearing sweat suits 24 hours a day. And these “eco-friendly” bikers. What ever happened to just fending for yourself, and assuming all risk? Why all this fluff anyway?

And I’ve personally witnessed many “bike activists” in town blatantly run red lights, fail to signal, and speed down sidewalks. So why are we catering to them anyway?

Hoboken is not friendly to bikes, pedestrian, or cars!

In case you didn’t know – Hoboken is a very VERY tight city. Most of the roads that have these silly bike lanes are worthless. And you can’t even walk on the sidewalks, really – because you’ll get mowed down by a drunk driver.

Either they’re too narrow, have potholes that have the moon green with envy, and are constantly ignored by pretty much every driver in town. Not because they hate bikes, because NO ONE USES THEM and we need the space for DOUBLE PARKING!

I’m going to submit my credentials as a “national bike expert” and become president of this bike league.

The first thing I’d do is recommend dissolving the League of American Bicyclists and give them all more useful hobbies to fill their spare time (like reading history books – because their bike rules won’t mean squat during the crisis that’s coming.) Next, I’d repeal all laws that have the word “bike” in them. And replace with one single rule: Bike at your own risk!

Technorati Tags: Bicycle Friendly Community, bike lane, Hoboken, League of American Bicyclists, New Jersey, NJ

Hoboken energy waste? Pier C Park lit up, but still closed

Several Hoboken411 readers mentioned to me – that while Pier C Park along the Hudson River waterfront has remained closed seven months since Hurricane Sandy – it’s brightly lit up each and every day! Wonder why?

Some might argue that it’s “so boats can see it at night,” but don’t you find that to be a bit excessive to have the whole thing entirely lit?

Blinking beacon lights along the perimeter of the pier should be enough, and would consume a lot less energy, and allow more life to be realized from the lamps on the pier.

But then again, this is Hoboken…

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Technorati Tags: Energy Waste, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, Pier C Park

Hoboken Bonus: Tourists love NYC views along waterfront

Continuing the Hoboken HDR Photo of the Day entry is a great view from uptown last week. You can say what you want about Hoboken good, bad or in-between. But one thing that will always be true is that tourists love NYC views visible when strolling along our waterfront (even if the parking boots and potholes get in the way!)

This particular shot is made special by the ominous clouds draping the metropolis. However, that didn’t stop this family from capturing the scene, just like I did. The skyline may be captured a million times a day, but it is not always easy to make one scene stand out above others.

Click on the image to see a larger version.

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Technorati Tags: HDR, HDR Hoboken, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, NYC, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, Skyline, tourists, Tourists Love NYC Views, View

Hoboken photo remains of the week: May 18, 2013

What Hoboken photo leftovers made the cut this week?

In the photo gallery below:

• Photo 1: Nice! Clinton Social at 7th & Clinton Streets got a bit of a red touch-up. Much more eye-catching now!
• Photo 2: Watch it disappear. The Rockefeller demolition continues – despite no plans or approvals for what comes next. Hmm.
• Photo 3: What’s your best Skee-Ball score at Little Town NJ? Mine is 440. Beat that!
• Photo 4: I managed to get one mediocre photo of the Halo around the Sun before nature was knocking on my door…
• Photo 5: I never had a picture of Becerra & Associates (tax accountants.) Now I do. Updated their listing accordingly.
• Photo 6: Amazing how you can see the World Trade Center from almost all spots in Hoboken!

Get out and enjoy the rest of your weekend, Hoboken!

Technorati Tags: 2013, Becerra, Clinton Social, Demolition, Halo around sun, Hoboken, Hoboken411, Little Town NJ, May 18, New Jersey, NJ, Photo leftovers, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, Rockefeller, Skee Ball, Spring, World Trade Center, WTC

Spire installed – World Trade Center inches closer to completion

Hoboken has always had one of the best front row seats of the NYC Skyline. Before, during and after the 9/11 tragedy, we’ve always been able to witness the transformation of the Big Apple in real time.

Recently, the “spire” for the World Trade Center was hoisted up. Now, residents for miles in all directions know exactly what they’ll be seeing for decades to come.

Below is an enhanced video of the spire installation, but instead of having to wait nine minutes – it has been condensed to just over two!

NOTE: Not for those with a fear of heights! It’s definitely scary!

WTC high in the clouds!

As an added bonus – one Hoboken411 reader took this photo with his cell phone this spring. Very freaky how the cloud swallowed a portion of the WTC to make the cranes on top appear to be coming out of nowhere!

Enjoy your weekend!

Technorati Tags: GoPro, High Speed, Hoboken, New Jersey, NJ, Spire, World Trade Center, WTC

S. Sullivan’s offers late night eating option in Hoboken

Eating in Hoboken is a bit weird. While most traditional “to go” or “delivery” places for the most part have more conservative hours – there always comes a time where some of us need a late night eating option. What do you do?

There are bars that have relatively late kitchens on weekends, like Village Pourhouse, Las Olas, and a few others. And of course, you have the certain pizza spots that stay open until the wee hours, like Seven Stars and Imposto’s.

But until I saw this sign recently – I never knew that the kitchen at S. Sullivan’s (6th & Washington) was open until 11pm seven days a week! Nice to know in case you have a last minute craving for bar food. I haven’t eaten here in a long while, so I cannot vouch for the present quality. But it might inspire me to check them out one night soon!

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Technorati Tags: 7 Star Pizza, Drunk food, Hoboken, Imposto's, Las Olas, late night eating, New Jersey, NJ, PHOTO OF THE DAY, photography, S. Sullivan's, Stinky Sullivan's, street signs, Sullivan's, Village Pourhouse