Originally Posted by
Giacomo 1
I am both a driver and a cyclist, but I have to say this bike program is just another nail in the coffin for those of us that need our cars to do whatever it is we do. Under Mayor Bloomberg, driving in this town, both in Manhattan and the outer boroughs, has become a living hell. The addition of literally thousands of traffic obstructions that he has added in his 3 terms has brought this town to nearly a standstill at nearly all times of the day. Traffic lights, often mistimed, speed bumps, stop signs, 4 way stop signs, red light cameras, no turns at certain hrs., bike lanes, bike parking stations and painting and coning out full lanes making them unusable for anyone and just funnels traffic into less lanes has led to a nightmarish ride for motorists all over NYC. Even trying to be a good cyclist by following the traffic laws will lead you to having to stop at nearly every corner in the city. Not fun for anyone.
Just last night my wife and daughter tried to go from Queens to Newark NJ for the Bocelli concert, a total of about 12 miles, and it took 3 hrs. 3 hrs.!!! All due to the useless funneling of traffic through Manhattan.
Mayor Doomsberg is a non-driver and always has been. He doesn't have a clue as to what it is like to drive in this town or what it's like to have to make your living by driving. I can only hope that our next Mayor has a license and uses it so he can see just how unbearable the situation has become...
I'm curious as to what you do that requires a car in Manhattan ?.
Generally, what we don't need is more cars, so encouraging the use of private autos in NY, and I pretty much mean all of Manhattan as well as many area's of Queens and Brooklyn, is not desirable long term and that's how the city is thinking - long term. Remember that part of the need is to get fewer cars with single drivers in the city core area, out of that area and is oriented to reducing air pollution. My current pet peeve is there ARE entirely too many traffic lights at intersections that don't need them where stop signs would suffice. Idling engines pollute and they need to reduce that. Why do you think we have "air alert days" on hot days in the summer ?, where do you think most of that pollution comes from ?, vehicles. Moving towards hybrids and electrics should be encouraged.
NYC is also one city that could stand to benefit from "congestion pricing" - fees generated for bringing a private vehicle into Manhattan during peak usage times Many Euro and Asian cities do this with good results. It weeds out the idiots that can't find another method to get around. As well, the fees generated help to improve the infrastructure for everybody. Many of the so-called initiatives you mention were started earlier then the Bloomberg administration, he just had the foresight to push them to the front burner.
" bike lanes, bike parking stations and painting and coning out full lanes making them unusable for anyone", well no, then make them usable to cyclists. Since you are a cyclists, I'm puzzled as to how you don't see these as good things ?. And I'd just as soon see traffic enforcement camera's at every damned interchange in the entire NYC area !. Slow the moron's down and maybe stop some of the carnage.
And as BTW, I've car commuted from Long Island to mid-Brooklyn for 32 years, so know a bit about traffic. All I've seen is more cars adding to the congestion. Adding infrastructure that allows more cars does not solve the problem, only makes it worse.