Stroller-Coaster Ride

Media Outlet: 
New York Daily News
Subtitle: 
Bumpy Trip for Baby Buggy Parents — Survey
Author: 
Elizabeth Hays
Date: 
12/04/2005
It's a jungle out there for frazzled city parents forced to push a stroller along bumpy, treacherous streets, a new survey shows.

Cracked sidewalks, steep curbs, speeding cars and aggressively turning trucks were among the top complaints in the first Stroller Report Card released last week by Transportation Alternatives.

"The corner of Flatbush and Grand Army Plaza in front of the library is a KILLER. Please fix," pleaded one Brooklyn parent who answered the online survey.

Snow-clogged curbs, cops parking on the sidewalk, too-short crossing times at lights and even dog-poop minefields also were concerns of the 1,000 parents who filled out the online survey.

"Dog poop everywhere! It is like an obstacle course and gross," lamented a Washington Heights parent of a 1-year-old.

More than 60% said they would walk more with their kids if they felt safer with a stroller, and 20% said pushing a stroller in their neighborhood was "difficult."

Though parents agreed it's no walk in the park pushing a stroller around the city, different neighborhoods had different top gripes.

In Brooklyn, parents complained most about roller-coaster sidewalks and missing curb cuts that rattled their kids — and their nerves.

"My son flew out of stroller flat on his face [with a 'thunk!'] when we hit a bump once," wrote a Park Slope parent of a 3-year-old.

In Manhattan and Queens, the biggest problem was aggressive drivers making turns.

"I live in fear of a turning driving hitting a stroller," wrote one upper West Side parent of a 3-year-old.

Not enough parents from Staten Island and the Bronx participated in the survey to be included.

Transportation Department spokeswoman Kay Sarlin said officials "are always working to create new solutions to pedestrian safety concerns."

Some 160 pedestrians died in the city in 2004, the lowest number in 95 years, she said.

But there's still more work to be done, the survey showed.

One Forest Hills parent said there is no traffic light or stop sign at Austin St. and 76th Road - across from a playground.

"It's very dangerous to cross the street to walk to the playground," she wrote.

Grand Army Plaza was hands down the most notorious Brooklyn spot. The busy traffic circle is near stroller-heavy destinations, such as the Brooklyn Public Library and Prospect Park.

"You feel you are risking your child's life on a daily basis," wrote one Brooklyn parent of a 2-year-old.

Sarlin encouraged parents to call 311 to report specific hazardous intersections.

At Grand Army Plaza, city officials have increased crossing times and added sidewalk space, ramps and pedestrian barriers to make it safer, Sarlin added.

But stroller-pushing parents said last week the intersection is still a nightmare.

"I pray and hold on to my stroller because I'm scared," said Cecilia Varas, from Prospect Heights, as she braved traffic on her way to Prospect Park with her 2-month-old son, Aedan.

Submitted by admin on December 18, 2007 - 14:56. categories [ ]