Patterns.  Garbage pick-up, morning coffee, street cleaners, stop lights - the city is full of patterns.  But the most intriguing pattern is found at Lexington Avenue and 59th Street.  Call it a cattle run, mad dash, train-jot or zombie scurry; how ever you choose to describe the phenomenon, it happens daily.  And it’s fascinating.

At Lexington Avenue and 59th Street,  the 6 train (one of the most crowded commuter trains in America) intersects with the N, R, and W trains.  Downtown 6 trains empty onto a platform, which narrows into a stairwell that leads down to the N, R W. Every day, numerous times each hour, New Yorkers turn into cattle.  Anxious cattle burst from opening train doors and - no joke - RUN to the nearby stairwell.  I love watching them sprint.

Here’s how a typical cattle run begins.  As a 6 train pulls into the quiet station, waiting passengers step aside to allow train-exiting passengers room.  If they don’t, they get run over, for when the doors open commuters flee like cockroaches in a bright room.  Saunter?  You die.  Ok, maybe not die, but you’re nearly obliterated.

I understand being in a hurry and pressed for time.  I too hate coming to a platform just as the train doors close, whereby you’re forced to wait fifteen minutes for the next train.  So the hustle is somewhat understood, but not excused.

During the zombie dash, fearless mothers drag bewildered, helpless children.  Old ladies strap on rocket packs and barrel their way to the approaching staircase.  Teenagers and business men don football helmets, shin guards and shoulder pads then battle for the prize: “Fastest straphanger down the stairs.”  True emotions shine through when a commuter’s train is at stake.

You know tunnel vision?  It’s typically associated with driving in a high-speed chase.  A driver becomes so entranced with the road ahead that all peripheral activity is unconsciously blocked out.  The driver sees only inside his or her ‘tunnel.’  Train-jotters are guilty of the same as they flee from the 6 to the N.

What happens if you don’t sprint?  You’re caught in bottlenecked madness and probably miss your train.  Think of it this way: Ever try pouring popcorn out of a bag but the popcorn clogs its’ own exit?  Well, the same happens here.  Early dashers escape downstairs, leaving lolly-gaggers to choke the staircase then descend slowly, drudgingly, likely missing their connection -  a grave consequence. 

Our daily commutes can be mind-numbing at times.  It’s easy to to hone in on what we’re reading, listening to or thinking about.  But outside our tunnel vision there are patterns.  Quiet patterns that don’t scream for attention, but occur nonetheless.  We rely on patterns every day for hygiene, security and comfort.  They ensure that things are happening how they’re supposed to.  At Lexington Avenue and 59th Street commuters regularly run a human rat race.  They are part of New York’s fabric - the subway’s pattern and pulse.  Thankfully, that’s not changing any time soon, giving you the opportunity to witness the race yourself. 

Watch carefully, cause I might be racing too.