Biking in Greenwood Cemetary?

http://www.transalt.org/press/media/2006/527.html

quotes DH on this topic!

Jamzer wrote: Maybe they ban bicyclists because they see how they act in Prospect Park on the weekends? What do you think?

Well...they might not put it exactly like that, but yeah - I can see how packs of dudes in garish spandex speeding around might not be conducive to the solemn atmosphere people expect in a cemetary.

I still think the policy isn't against people who just want to ride bikes as transportation, but rather the wannabe racers and off-roaders - and trying to separate one from the other would just be more trouble than it's worth to the cemetary.

Smokin' Joe wrote: [quote=Drano]I still think the policy isn't against people who just want to ride bikes as transportation, but rather the wannabe racers and off-roaders - and trying to separate one from the other would just be more trouble than it's worth to the cemetary.

ridiculous if that's the case. pedestrians are capable of inappropriate behavior in a cemetery (blasting a boombox, for instance) but they don't ban pedestrians. they ban the inappropriate behavior.

the spandex racing bike crowd isn't likely to tear through the cemetery -- unlike the road in prospect park, it's simply not conducive to anything but low gear.

Well, now, I'm just speculatin' on a hypothesis. How do they enforce the rules, anyway? Let's say I do roll in there and start blasting some tunes, will they send a security guy out in a golf cart to stop me? Seems like once you're well in there it would be tough to stop you from doing much of anything...

Yavel wrote: They have security that regularly rides around the cemetery.

plus several centuries of angry and hungry ghosts

armchair_warrior wrote: [quote=pitu][quote=Yavel]They have security that regularly rides around the cemetery.

plus several centuries of angry and hungry ghosts

so does that mean i get eaten at night time or during hollween there?

anytime you do anything reprehensible on site
it's a 24/7 situation

Dear Sir,
I live a few blocks away from the beautiful Greenwood Cemetery and am thrilled to see that it is so well maintained .However, it saddens me daily when I pass by and see how utterly empty it always is. It seems to be a place only for the dead, which is contrary to all that I personally believe cemetaries should be. In my opinion, it is shameful to see such a large open green space in our very crowded city reserved (pretty much exclusively) for those that can no longer enjoy it.
Before my mother passed away a few years ago she requested not to be buried in a cemetery.Instead she bought herself a park bench and had it placed in a public rose garden near her home and asked us, her children, to be creative when it came time to do something with her ashes. She thought that all cemeteries should be a place for the living to celebrate life and the lives of those who have passed before us. In essence, she felt they should be more like parks and less austere and solemn. I agree wholeheartedly.
Last summer, my seven year old daughter and I tried to go biking in the cemetery and of course were turned away .It was explained to us that there had been vandalism in the past so it was necessary for us to drive or walk in. I suspect this was more a tool used for "crowd control" as we know a vandal can as easily walk or drive as ride a bike. Is there not some sort of compromise we could come up with so that you (the cemetery)feel safe while we, the citizens of brooklyn canhave the opportunity to enjoy the green open space? What if we were required to apply for a yearly permit allowing us to bike or hike or relax in this grand outdoor space? You in return could charge a small fee for the permit and have our identification etc on file.What do you think?
I look forward o hearing from you.
best,
Maggie Tobin
127 Chester Avenue
Brooklyn,NY 11218

OK, time for me to chime in...

I will not add to the debate, one side or the other, because I understand Green-Wood's intent and those who would like to recreationally bike (or visit loved ones interred therein), BUT I might add this is a private institution, not public. It is still a "working" cemetery. We see at least 2-3 interments a day...

From what I understand, ss much as Green-Wood prides itself as a public cultural institution, it is a private enterprise dedicated to the preservation of the New Yorkers (and non) interred there. Plain & simple.

And in all reality, I must agree with Mr. Taylor on the terrain comment.

My wife and I walk there regularly. At times it is tough to see cars drive around, let alone bikes...

AND, I personally feel the Cemetery is best experienced on-foot, so you can take in the main roads, but also the side paths.

A place to visit and perhaps, spend an eternity

Bikes aside, visit Green-Wood if you have not. Bike or car, park at the entrance and take along stroll...get lost...and explore some history of New York!

Perhaps one day the bike prohibition might be lifted (or curtailed to scheduled rides), but love the Cemetery for what it is: one of NY's most culturally significant places.

The folks at Green-Wood take great pride in their role as care takers, for those interred there and as a cultural destination...that's why they were made a part of the National Historic Landmark registry this year.

But, I'm biased, of course

This is from the standpoint of an avid cyclist.

As nice as Greenwood is, I think the idea of cycling through it would be a disaster waiting to happen. I could envision some less than adept cyclist flying down one of the hills, hitting a tombstone and becoming their next "customer. "

Since this has become such an interesting debate, thought I'd do a little research...

Seems that Green-Wood had a very successful bike tour they did with a local group a few months ago. Looks like there may be a repeat tour later this year.

From what I could find out on the web, MOST historic cemeteries do not allow bikes on their grounds, even if they do have occasional bike tours.

Perhaps if Green-Wood were smaller than their 478 acres, they might be able to allow bikes or regular tours, but with such a large expanse of space, it would be near impossible to regulate who would use bikes (whether it be transportation to visit a loved one or for a tour of the grounds) and where they'd go. I'd think any rules they might put in place could be easily flaunted...

And finally, with 300,000+ visitors a year (more than many Bklyn cultural institutions) Green-Wood must be doing something right, bikes or not.

Again, I'll add that I am very biased (if you haven't noticed) and love the Cemetery...to walk in.

When it's warmer (geeze, not today at 14 degrees), get off yer butts, stop posting on this Board(s) and take a walk in Green-Wood!

See you there!

The bike issue is more of a liability concern than an "anti-bike" stance. Can you imagine someone looking control on one of their steeper hills and slamming into a monument? The jogging thing, well that's walking that line between "working cemetery" and "outdoor space/cultural institution."

Green-Wood has been doing walking tours (no trolley tours as well), book talks and special events for over 10 years, with very few complaints from folks with families there.

In fact many of those visiting loved ones come back just to visit Green-Wood.

What I'd suggest is writing the Historic Fund if you want to add your thoughts to the mix. They are always open to dialog with the community, though remember, they are a private, not public, institution, so ultimately it is their call.

It is. Perhaps not to you, but to Green-Wood.

Also the liability when you have 1) cars 2) pedestrians 3) bikes on very narrow roads that were originally designed for horse & buggy.

Perhaps early AM rides might be OK, but on a typical weekend, where they average several hundred cars a day, plus a growing # of tourists walking, it would be a nightmare...and I walk in the cemetery regularly at all hours of the day/week.

8thandPrez wrote: I just don't think it's a legitimate concern and the hills in GW are not THAT extreme.

WHAT?!?! The hills there aren't that extreme???

It's like hundreds of "Hills of Death" to climb those suckers............oh wait. :oops:

^if they didn't have trolley tours, i might agree. but they do. trolley tours.

Again, "private" entity letting us "public" on their grounds?

Sheat, before the early "0's" you had to have family there to get in!

Take the trolley over nothing any day.

And your POV may prevail as they transition from a working cemetery to a primary cultural institution and tourism destination...