I agree. After reading Adams' comment and then his letter, I find his response to be completely disingenuous. Let's remember that this mostly guy represents Park Slope's gold coast -- the two blocks of 9th Street closest to Prospect Park, the blocks with the $1.8M brownstones purchased 30 years ago for 1/20th of that price by these NIMBY cranks who seem to care more about their ability to double-park then Mexican immigrant kids getting run over down on Third Avenue. This is who Adams feels he represents, I suppose. Perhaps it's just a rookie mistake on his part. Let's hope so.

That letter is not a request for transparency. It is a thinly veiled threat that says, in effect, we don't like your plan and you'd better have a big army of facts and research if you want to get it past us.

In fact, having read the letter myself and then re-read Adams' claim on this blog that he's keeping an open mind, I now think the latter should be read as highly evasive, if not downright deceptive. If he really wanted to hear both sides of the issue, he should have made sure he had heard them _before_ he sent off the letter to DOT.

Sen Adams asserts that "Prior to placing these (bike) lanes on a street used as a main traffic hub, one must consider alternatives."

Why? Where is the logic in this? Since when are bike lanes considered a last resort, and by what reasoning?

This phrase seems to be the crux of his argument.

The good news is that under Sadik-Khan, in the wake of the 2030 speech, this is definitely going to happen regardless of Bob Levine's contorted logic, hypocrisy and divine right to double park.

Aaron it wouldnt hurt to bring some livable streets advocates to the Pct Community Council meeting and let the cops know that traffic laws should be enforced and double parking is a public safety issue. If you have a public statement by DiBlasio calling for no double parking enforcement on 9th St, point out to the press what BS it is.

http://www.streetsblog.org/state-sen-eric-adams-letter-to-dot-re-9th-street/

It reads like opposition to me but, hey, if the Senator doesn't oppose the plan, that's great.

First, I spoke with two separate city government sources who said that the Adams had written a letter to the DOT's acting commissioner asking that the 9th Street project not go forward without the Senator's review. Asking that a project not go forward is, in my book, "opposition." I asked Sen. Adams office to provide me with a copy of the letter. They have not.

Second, I had a conversation with Sen. Adams chief of staff. Without directly saying she opposed anything she expressed hostility to bike lanes on 9th Street along with advocates of the plan (who she referred to as "outside special interests"). She also expressed confidence that there are much better ways for DOT to make 9th Street safer and less crash-prone. I believe my interpretation of her position as "opposition" is accurate though "hostility" might be moreso.

I will continue trying to get a copy of Sen. Adams original letter so that people can interpret it for themselves.

What's your plan for getting vehicles off the streets with Brooklyn taking the lead in creating eco-powered world class cities?

"For the record, I am an avid bike rider and I am not opposed to bike lanes. In fact if I had my way there would not be any vehicles on the street. Many people have seen me riding my own bike throughout the city and within the 20th Senate District during my campaign. In fact, I have personally organized many group bike rides and I believe it is an excellent form of exercise and transportation."

Perhaps Park Slope Neighbors could convene a meeting and discuss the 9th Street plan with Sen. Adams? He's heard only one side of the story so far... the few nay-saying 9th St. residents. But many more of us who live in Park Slope support this plan so perhaps he could meet with us as well.

Thanks for writing in. I am glad that you are keeping an open mind and open door on this issue. 

This week I wrote and called your office on behalf of the organization that I co-founded, Park Slope Neighbors. I requested a meeting to make sure you were aware of the the years of community activism that led DOT finally to put forward this proposal to improve safety on 9th Street. I offered to walk you or your staff through the DOT proposal if you had not seen the plan for yourself.

Your Chief of Staff was completely dismissive of my offer and my request to meet. She referred to me and my organization as an "outside special interest." Though she confused the July 2005 Dizzy's car crash at 8th Ave. with the August 2004 crash at 3rd Ave. that killed two 5th grade boys, she insisted that your office was well aware of the background and history that led to the DOT proposal and didn't need me or my group to come in and talk about that.

I've put in more than my fair share of calls to elected officials offices and I've actually never been written off quite like that before. It was disappointing to say the least. Is your staff aware of your policy of being willing to meet with anyone who invites you?

--Aaron Naparstek

During my years as a New York City Police Officer, I learned the importance of interpersonal communication. As a result, it is my firm policy to make myself available to any member of the public who is interested in my position on a particular community concern. As I read some of your responses on the issue of the 9th Street bike lanes, I became aware that some of you might be doing our community an injustice by misrepresenting my position.

For the record, I am an avid bike rider and I am not opposed to bike lanes. In fact if I had my way there would not be any vehicles on the street. Many people have seen me riding my own bike throughout the city and within the 20th Senate District during my campaign. In fact, I have personally organized many group bike rides and I believe it is an excellent form of exercise and transportation.

A number of home owners and residents who live on 9th Street contacted my office to voice their concerns about the lack of transparency involved in the DOT proposal to place bike lanes on their street. In response, I had my staff reach out to the home owners and residents to invite them to schedule a meeting at which I could hear their concerns directly from them. In attendance at this meeting were people both in favor of and against the bike lanes. Two unifying issues did emerge, however: traffic calming and pedestrian safety. Everyone agreed that 9th Street must become safer, but the most effective means of attaining this goal remained a subject of debate. During the course of our discussion, it became apparent that the DOT presentation to Community Board 6 left a number of legitimate, basic questions unanswered. As the Ranking Democrat on the Homeland Security Committee, I felt that these concerns should be responded to, and I sent a letter to the DOT to request a meeting to address the issue.

Some individuals have called my office to register their support for bike lanes. To those who live in Park Slope, I wish to extend the same courtesy that the residents of 9th Street have already received--to set up a meeting at which I can listen to their views. I am more than willing to meet with any group that desires to invite me. I am not an elected official who spends his time ducking issues, and I truly enjoy and look forward to communicating with the people who live in my District.

Each day I receive over 50 emails and letters. I personally sit down and answer each one of them. I was elected to represent my district and address its concerns. If you have any questions regarding any issues that impact the 20th Senatorial District, please inform me by using whatever means of communication you desire, including blogging. We won't agree on ever topic but we must agree on communicating with each other in a civilize manner. Anyone that is aware of my track record will tell you that you do not have to "keep my feet to the fire." I am already on fire. I am "on fire" to address the issues that are important to my community.

Best

Eric
NYS Senator

By the way, District 20 includes a sizable chunk of Sunset Park -- I think the southern boundary is 45th Street.

Call and write! Call and write!

This information about road diets from Parsons Brinkerhoff was really informative. The full report compares the experience of many cities and types of roads before and after a road diet. We have several here in Portland and they work fine.

this is a video stream presentation (that actually doesn't have any presentation until 7 minutes 15 seconds in - just fast forward -- it's worth it)

http://www.media.pdx.edu/Transportation/Transportation_100705.asx

I've read the handbook that is presented in the video stream. It's a great reference and quick read on the subject of road diets.

here's the slides from her presentation:
http://www.ite.org/meetcon/2005AM/Rosales_Tues.pdf