Closing Bell: PPW Protest, After the Fact
The blogs have brought in lots of news of the PPW bike lane showdown this morning. Streetsblog was at the pro-rally, where hundreds of people gathered to defend the traffic-calmed street. About 70 or so opponents gathered close by, although there wasn’t much dramatic confrontation. Gothamist quotes an anti-bike lane spokesperson: “Why do they think…
The blogs have brought in lots of news of the PPW bike lane showdown this morning. Streetsblog was at the pro-rally, where hundreds of people gathered to defend the traffic-calmed street. About 70 or so opponents gathered close by, although there wasn’t much dramatic confrontation. Gothamist quotes an anti-bike lane spokesperson: “Why do they think they can mutilate this extremely beautiful boulevard? It is useful maybe to a handful of bikers.” This was met with booing, and the counter-argument that bike lane access is about “The sustainability of New York. This is about reducing our dependence on oil!” Sounds intense. Did any readers attend?
Hundreds Rally in Support of PPW Bike Lane [Streetsblog]
Protests Pit Seniors Against Cyclists [Gothamist]
Photo by Ben Fried / Streetsblog.org
Pete — actually a lot of people that ride bikes DID commute by automobile previously. Train/bus sucks, so I drive my car. Oh, biking is pleasant and good for me, I’ll ride my bike a few days a week (or perhaps everyday!) The ridership argument is ridiculous. You would have a point it ridership wasn’t UP overall… and what bus or train do I take for a 1/2 mile errand? You walk or ride your bike! A safe network of bike-friendly streets is the answer!
ALSO… and, listen, this is important… It is COMMON KNOWLEDGE to every traffic engineer in the world that Bigger Roads does not equate to Better Traffic!!!!
Also, I find it funny that it’s the old-timers that are pissed off. Could these people even *cross* the 3-lane superhighway before the light changed?! Two auto lanes is a lot easier to cross.
Even newer numbers on MTA ridership :
Based on figures released by the MTA, ridership in May 2010 averaged 5.327 million per weekday and a combined 5.524 million per weekend. Those figures represent significant increases over the May 2009 ridership totals, and although the 12-month rolling averages are showing negative changes, as the city’s economy has recovered, so too has transit ridership. In fact, ridership for the year has been approximately 1.2 percent above expected for the MTA.
And … thanks petebklyn.
First of all, there were plenty of cyclists over 50 at the rally. And under 15.
Second of all, I don’t get what folks are trying to communicate by pointing out that the opposition is all stodgy old people. If I believed for a minute that the lane was making it harder for seniors (hip or stodgy) and other not-so-agile pedestrians to get across the street, I’d have a problem with it, too.
“why does the age makeup matter so much, are you an ageist?”
Not ageist, but anti-biking, like homophobia and racism are generational and this country will be a whole lot more pleasant in a few decades as the country is populated by a more open-minded citizenry.
Pete,
You’re grasping for straws now after making some tragically FALSE statements.
Check out the figures I provided about about MTA ridership at an all time high and come up with an actual rebuttal after your UNTRUE statements.
are you suggesting that these new cyclists commuted by auto prior to getting a bicycle?
The whole thing was kind of absurd. Half the objection is that the green paint and bollards are ugly. Tearing the whole thing out over that seems excessive. Then you had people chanting “Ride! in! the Park!” … as though they’ve been spearheading the car free Prospect Park campaign. One woman had a sign about snow removal that I defy you to explain to me. (“What is going to happen when it snows?” … uh, okay?)
I just … I don’t understand their objections. DOT didn’t remove any precious, precious parking spaces, speeding is dramatically reduced. These seem like good things, on the whole.
A ride (or jog, or walk) in the park is lovely recreation, but if you’re trying to get someplace it’s hardly efficient. I tend to ride my bike to get places.
why does the age makeup matter so much, are you an ageist?
***
This year the New York City Department of Transportation measured a 26 percent jump in commuter cycling. Coming on the heels of 2008’s unprecedented 35 percent growth, that puts the total two-year increase at a whopping 66 percent.
Much of the growth in cycling can be attributed to the installation of 200 miles of bike routes in the past three years. Safer streets get more people to ride, who encourage their friends to ride, and more riders on the road means cyclists are more visible and safer. The virtuous circle is in effect here in New York.