Worldly Things

Nov 06

Another Great Response to the NY Post from Brooklyn T.A. Stalwart, Gene Aronowitz

To the Editor of the New York Post

Your editorial “Hurricane Janette’s Chaos” is only the latest example of The Post’s continuous battle with what are probably the most significant advances in New York transportation policies in decades. Obviously, cycling is an excellent way to get around when other forms of transportation are disrupted as demonstrated not only in the aftermath of the recent storm but also when the transit strike prevented people from getting to work. Automobiles have their place but only as one element in a comprehensive transportation system. I don’t understand why the Post is so down on other uses of the city streets. As indicated in recent newspaper articles including one in the Times, recent transportation enhancements have proven excellent for business in New York City. Safe cycling, along with improvements to mass transit are great for the environment, reducing the pollution that results from an over-reliance on automobiles. Cycling is a healthful exercise that supports the City’s struggle to reduce obesity. The Post’s positions on Commissioner Sadik-Khan’s contributions to the City of New York make no sense to me.

Gene Aronowitz

My Response to the NY Post’s latest anti bike screed

Sunday, the New York Post published the latest in a long line of editorials criticizing the City government for working to make New Yorkers safer on our streets and attacking New Yorkers who walk or bike. With no evidence or cause, your paper chose to blame the traffic congestion caused by the subway shutdown on the people coping with that shutdown by biking. After a week which saw entire neighborhoods reduced to smoldering wreckage and countless people’s lives devastated, you were small enough and mean-spirited enough to toss out yet another spiteful attack on New Yorkers who just want to get around the city safely.

Did you see New Yorkers volunteering to bring donuts and coffee to cheer commuters nervously biking to work for the first time in the wake of the storm? Did you see the groups using bicycles to bring food, clothing and supplies to people who’d lost everything to Hurricane Sandy? Did you see the proud New Yorkers turn down carpool rides, saying, “I’m a New Yorker, I can walk.” I don’t think you did. I think all you saw was another opportunity to score points against bike lanes and pedestrian plazas—safety improvements the vast majority of your neighbors approve of and enjoy. I’m saddened this paper is so out of touch. Luckily, I doubt anyone is likely to confuse your rants with the views of real New Yorkers.

Paul Steely White, Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives