Commuter of the Month: Bernie Brosk

Name: Bernie Brosk Age: 83
Occupation: Real Estate Broker
Neighborhood: Gramercy
Number of Years Riding? Over 20
T.A. Member Since: March 2, 1983
You remember the date you joined T.A.? Yes, I bought a picture of Babe Ruth for $35 at a T.A. benefit auction.
Your commute? I'm only about twelve blocks from my home, but I put in anywhere from 10 to 15 miles a day.
So you use your bike to meet clients? Of course...just commuting is peanuts. I love to ride - it's relaxing and great exercise, and much faster than waiting for a bus or cab. Luckily I don't have to dress up too much - although once I was required to wear a shirt and tie just to get in to Trump Plaza to close a deal with Abe Hirshfeld.
How do clients react? They get a kick out of it. For a while I billed myself as Bernie "The Biker Broker." You know, I've been doing this for over 20 years so I know all the ins and outs. Some folks have said I'm crazy for riding a bicycle in Manhattan, but one nice person once told me, 'You are my role model.' I'll always remember that.
What kind of bikes do you own? A Trek hybrid and a Specialized road bike. I park them on the street close to my office.
Precautions: I use a Kryptonite lock on the front wheel and frame, and a chain on the back wheel. Three years ago, I got some N.Y.P.D. stickers and put them on my bike. So far it's worked - no stolen bikes since.
Suggested punishment for stealing a bike? 25 years to life - no parole.
What's been the biggest improvement you've seen in bicycles? Making the gear shifts more accessible.
How about pollution and drivers? The pollution has gotten slightly better. Sadly, drivers are much worse.
If you were made NYC Bike Czar, what changes would you make? Enforce the rules to make pedestrians stay on the sidewalk while waiting for traffic lights to change. I'd also go after messengers and cyclists who blatantly break the law. In addition, we don't have enough bike lanes so I'd put in more of those.
What do your most enjoy about biking in NYC? The convenience. That and shooting the breeze every day with other bike riders. I even talk to cab drivers while I'm stopped at a light.
Feats: Every year I do a fifty-mile ride for MS Society from Sandy Hook to Belmar.
Advice for the novice: Ride slowly, wear a helmet, and obey all traffic rules. Do that and I promise you'll never want to get off your bike. Just jump on and go, take a ride and smell the roses - even in New York.

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