‘Bike Train’ Ride Departing Gorilla Coffee to Manhattan Friday Morning

Are you going to work today in Manhattan? How will you get there?

If you don’t want to brave the limited subway service, or the roads, if you have gas that is, take the bike lanes!

Doug Gordon, the founder of the website Brooklyn Spoke, is leading a “Bike Train” today, Friday, Nov. 2 at 8:15 a.m. from Gorilla Coffee on Fifth Ave. at Park Pl.

“New York is experiencing an unprecedented disruption in its transit service. As we all try to get through this together, people who know the ropes of New York City bike commuting are doing what they can to help their fellow citizens get to the office,” Gordon told Patch. 

In order to help with your post-Hurricane Sandy commute, Gordon is heading up a group bike ride over the Manhattan Bridge. He will lead any cyclists who show up through the bike lane infrastructure, down Bergen St. to Smith St., and then to Jay St. and over the bridge.

Gordon will also give riders directions to anywhere in Manhattan once over the East River.

On BrookylnSpoke.com, he outlines a few important notes before the ride.

• You ride at your own risk.
• Ride safe and leave on time, or let your fellow commuters know ASAP if you can’t make it. We’ll provide cell and e-mail info to groups.
• If you’re speedy be prepared for a more leisurely pace.
• We will obey all traffic laws, including stopping for red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and riding with the direction of traffic.
• Bells and front and rear lights are required by law.
• Helmets are encouraged.
• If you’re new to bike commuting or need to temporarily shift how you get to work this week please join!

For more details on the Bike Train, click here. You can also find a full list of other bike trains, including one leaving from Red Lantern Bicycles in Fort Greene, and information about Transportation Alternatives’ commuter stations at Bikeapolis.

The avid cyclist said that it is important for commuters to come together, especially in this unprecedented subway service disruption.

“I organized this ride after speaking with friends and neighbors who wanted a convenient option for getting into Manhattan," Gordon said. "Lots of them have bikes but don't use them on a regular basis; others are weekend warriors but have never thought about bike commuting. There's safety in numbers, and this is just another good option for getting New York City back to work.”