Originally Posted by
Steve B.
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.
New Yorkers pay the most for driving privileges in the country yet we get absolutely nothing for our money but obstructions, potholes, mis-timed lights, patched-up streets, expensive gas and 3 hr commutes to go 13 miles. From our insurance, registration, inspections, tolls, gas etc., nobody pays more to get less, and you think we need to tax drivers yet again? And you tell me I should leave that ridiculously expensive car at home and not get my money's worth out of it and take the subway when all dressed up at 2AM or pay $100 for a round trip cab to Queens?
I bet you didn't like that "commuter tax" much when you commuted into the city did you? Well, as a NYC resident, I think you should be taxed to the hilt. You use my resources and clog my streets. If it wasn't for suburbanites coming into my city, driving here would be a pleasure and we could have as many bike lanes as we want. You want to live in LI, then get a job in LI, or you should be taxed! Heavily! Touche...
Yes, more camera's, more infringement, more BIG Brother!!! Bring on the drones to! That's the answer! We'll get those morons, because of course, you've never, ever been a moron and sped or blown a yellow, have you? Bloomberg would love you!
Business is not done off the back of a bicycle, it's done by people in all types of business's being able to move around the city in a reasonable amount of time. By the way, I never take my car into Manhattan during peak hours, but I can no longer even get through the outer boroughs in decent time anymore...