Rather than dismissing the press conference as significant only for Manhattanites, the Advance story drew connections between the Coalition's five-point proposal and the current traffic situation on Staten Island.

The story even gave space to my principal complaint, which is that to get any attention from transportation planners, you have to have wheels attached. Even among more thoughtful observers and activists, pedestrians are seen principally as victims--as people who didn't get out of the way of a bike, car, truck or bus fast enough.

I think we need to promote walking as a transportation alternative as vigorously as we promote biking and mass transit. Acknowledge the health benefits, but elevate the discussion. Position walking not solely or mostly as a form of exercise but as personal transportation at its most practical, economical and energy efficient.