Have you ever experienced the freedom of riding a bicycle? Of a machine powered by you. Pop a speaker into the water bottle holder and pedal your way across the Brooklyn Bridge, onto the West Side Highway, and over to Central Park, bumping to your playlist the whole time. Load up a six-pack of your favorite springtime beverage and tie a pizza onto the back. It’s a traveling party — and you don’t even have to carry anything!
As the sun slowly defrosts the city and gas prices climb to a record high (at the time of writing, the average price for a gallon of gas in New York state is $4.145 — more than $1 per gallon above the average from a year ago), the conditions are ripe to consider cycling.
Other reasons to start now: Safety redesigns under Vision Zero have created notable improvements for the safety of cyclists and pedestrians alike, more protected bike lanes are under construction, and, under the new Office of Curb Management, secure bike parking facilities are being planned. Plus, Citi Bikes just announced a pilot program with the best upgrade of all time: a secure phone holder built into the bike’s handlebars.
Citi Bikes are free on Earth Day — it’s a low-stakes way to rediscover the joy of cycling. And if you’re nervous about pedal pushing in the city, here’s a quick start guide to cycling in NYC.
When you’ve gotten up to speed, check Facebook Marketplace for a bike, buy a lock and a light, and, if you’re looking to splurge, get a bike pack (I like Whitebark Gear and Fish-Ski for handmade packs that prioritize deadstock materials).
Like they say, you never forget how to ride a bicycle.
– Michaela Keil, Editor, Bluedot Living Brooklyn
advertisement
You've probably heard that cranberry juice helps with bladder health. And while cranberries do offer some benefits, they're not the complete answer—especially when it comes to stopping nighttime urination and regaining bladder control.
The real solution involves targeted nutrients that work together to strengthen your bladder, reduce nighttime urgency, and help you finally sleep through the night. It's simple, natural, and backed by science.
Earth Day Events!
Earth Day Weekend Events:
Open streets: Select streets will go pedestrian-only on Saturday, April 25, for sustainability events, along with performances and installations by local artists.
Brooklyn Bridge Park: On Saturday, April 25, the park’s horticulture and education teams will lead crafts, hands-on volunteer opportunities, talks, and workshops like “Ask A Gardener” and “Build A Bird’s Nest.” There will also be a recycling collection for textiles, gently-used books, children’s clothing and toys, and e-waste.
Brooklyn Public Library: Throughout April, BPL will coordinate a series of events, including sustainable repair workshops every Thursday at the Flatbush Library and a plant swap at the Gerritsen Library on April 18.
Other Ways to Love the Borough:
Flower Power: The 16th Annual Flower Bed Stuy takes place on Saturday, May 2. Community members will meet to beautify the neighborhood by planting flowers and conducting cleanups. Materials will be provided.
I Love My Park Day: Registration is open for the 15th annual I Love My Park Day on Saturday, May 2. It is the largest statewide volunteer event to enhance parks, historic sites, and public lands.
advertisement
A Cocktail Feeling Without the Alcohol
Vesper is what a thoughtfully crafted cocktail feels like, without the alcohol or the next-day haze.
Pique's adaptogenic aperitif combines L-theanine, lemon balm, gentian root, damiana, and elderflower for a gentle mood lift and a clear, relaxed mind.
Try Vesper and get 10% off for life. 🍵🌿
Climate News, In Brief
IBX Info Session: The New York Transit Museum will host a discussion on the Interborough Express project on Thursday, April 16, featuring a panel of MTA representatives involved in planning the new light rail line.
Spring Cleaning Continues: Still gearing up to clean out? Here is a guide on clothing and textile recycling in NYC. And for more ideas, check out the previous edition of Bluedot Living Brooklyn.
Microplastics in the Water: The Environmental Protection Agency announced that it is proposing to add microplastics to its Contaminant Candidate List for drinking water, a step toward potential regulation.
Compost Ups and Downs:
New Facility for Composting: A new $24 million facility opened in Gowanus last week. It can process 600,000 pounds of food scraps, yard waste, and wood chips each year.
But Without Fines, Fewer People Compost: A new report shows that compliance with the city’s composting rules dropped sharply after the Department of Sanitation stopped issuing fines for the offense last year. Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently reimposed the fines.
Part of the Department of Transportation’s social media post that set off a kerfuffle last week. Graphic: NYCDOT
NYC’s Bike vs. Car Turf War: Funny or Not Funny?
The existential battle over asphalt played out on April 1
The New York City Department of Transportation caused a stir last week when the agency posted this unexpected message on its social media accounts: “NYC DOT to remove bike racks to make more room for car parking.”
DOT added, “Why use so much curb space exclusively for storing property?”
The message was accompanied by a photo of bike docks obscured by a big, red “X,” and a link to a website, “NYC.GOV/byebyebikes.”
This was a surprising reversal of city policy. Parking spaces have been disappearing by the thousands over the past few years, to the exasperation of car owners.
BLUEDOT LIVING BUY BETTER MARKETPLACE
A Bluedot Living hat turns sustainability into a fashion statement — a little signal or conversation starter, and a lot more fun than it has any right to be. Each cap features a phrase pulled from the world of responsible production and environmental impact, reimagined with a sense of humor and personality. From “fair trade” to “farm raised” to “fermented” (and more), along with your preferred font and color, the choices will spoil you.
These caps are made from organic cotton and produced in a WRAP-certified factory that meets globally recognized standards for fair labor, worker safety, and ethical production. We also plant a tree with every purchase. Now through the end of April, you’ll save 15% when you enter code BLUEDOTHAT15 at checkout.
advertisement
Interlochen Online is an online arts school designed for adults who want to reconnect with creativity—without pressure or perfectionism.
Explore music, creative writing, visual arts, theatre, or film through short courses, private lessons, and certificate programs led by experienced artists who meet you where you are.
If you’re curious about returning to the arts, you can start by sampling a course for free.
Dear Dot,
I’ve heard that bike transit could really help fight climate change but New York City sometimes feels very anti-bike (and dangerous!). Why aren’t cities embracing bicycle infrastructure?
– Kyle, Brooklyn
The short answer: While more cities are building cycling infrastructure (thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act!), there’s a lot more that needs to be done. We can help by getting involved in local cycling advocacy groups (Bike Mayors, People for Bikes, and others) and by pushing our towns and cities to create safer routes for cyclists and pedestrians. Let’s not rest until cyclists are treated with the same consideration as motorists.
BLUEDOT LIVING KITCHEN
Nothing says “spring” quite like lemon and dill. Whip up a batch of this bright and flavorful hummus, then pop it into your bag with some pita or chopped vegetables. Head to the park and you have yourself a perfect springtime picnic.
advertisement
They remain one of the key affordable-housing sources nationally, have limited supply and high tenant retention (10-12Y). Investors can see tremendous upside with professionally-managed MHP portfolios such as Vintage Capital’s, which targets a 15-17% IRR and makes monthly distributions. Invest directly in individual deals or via a 10+ property fund. 1031s also available.
BROOKLYN BIRD WATCH
The humble pigeon — shooed from sidewalks yet honored on battlefields — once carried life-or-death messages through enemy fire and across hostile lines. Frequently and sometimes mortally wounded, these steadfast birds proved that courage isn’t limited to those who wear a uniform.
The Bluedot Brooklyn newsletter is edited by Michaela Keil. If you have any questions, suggestions, ideas, or want to tell us what you’re doing, email [email protected].
