Comments on: Highlights From TA’s District 25 Candidate Debate

By: m

Sun, 30 Aug 2009 12:39:36 +0000

You can see the whole debate here:

By: The Opoponax

The Opoponax — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 21:00:00 +0000

Haha, really, Ms. Sears?

I wonder if she also thinks all the auto makers ought to include videos explaining the rules of the road to drivers? Because some of the folks motoring around her district seem a little clueless on that front. I’ve certainly seen more complete driving imbeciles around western Queens than their cycling counterparts. Most people I see on bikes around here have to be absolutely on top of their game, lest they get mowed down by a driver who doesn’t seem entirely clear on what that funny looking red octagon is supposed to mean.

By: Grinner

Grinner — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 15:59:57 +0000

“… every company that makes bikes should have to produce a video that will absolutely show the cyclist exactly what the rules of the road are.”

That’s a great idea! Then cyclists in NYC can learn about the Idaho stop sign. And cyclists in Millbrook can learn that NYC cyclists can ride two abreast. I see great things for I-274 when Brooklyn and Staten Island riders see the part of the video that mentions how cyclists are allowed to ride the Interstate in Montana.

Don’t the tax payers of the U.S. own two of the Big Three? Maybe we can require videos that “absolutely show the drivers exactly what the rules of the road are” from them for every Clunker replacement! Or make that a requirement with every auto-loan the next time we bail out the financial industry.

Councilwoman Sears, contrary to the Hunter College “we went out to look for cyclists behaving badly (while walking to our car)” report, cyclists are not the cause of congestion, car-bicycle collisions, car-pedestrian collisions, sinking ferries, increased asthma, potholes, global warming, subway station roof collapses, structural damage to buildings, or cavities. If your constituency includes GlaxoSmithKline, manufactures of suture equipement, asphalt companies, ambulance services, and/or construction companies, then you should by all means continue to blame cyclists and pedestrians.

By: Niccolo Machiavelli

Niccolo Machiavelli — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 00:35:55 +0000

What makes anyone think that any of these people have a deeper understanding of policing or sanitation or education or housing? If you know anything about those subjects you will find their understanding of those issues entirely superficial, borderline ignorant

But if you think the politicians are stupid, you should meet the voters..

By: Dan Berkman

Dan Berkman — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 23:16:36 +0000

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say nobody running for office in this district understands how traffic or parking policy should be designed. No one running for office could get away with this kind of ignorance about how the NYPD works or how garbage collection works. But when it comes to bikes and cars everyone is entitled to mislead their audience. I’m not complaining that these candidates hold views that run counter to my own, I’m complaining because they hold those views based on assumptions about traffic and street management that are obviously false.

I assume that there will be a tipping point sometime in the future where it won’t be okay to mislead the public about ways to make their streets work better but that point seems awfully far away after reading this post.

By: glenn

glenn — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 22:34:13 +0000

Off-street garages only encourage newcomers to bring or buy a car. This should be the focus – any future development or residents should be encouraged to come without cars and ride transit.

This is why neighborhood parking permits are perhaps the best way to satisfy current residents and say no more cars to future residents.