I'm giving a talk tonight about the UWS and what makes it so special.  Is it Central Park?  Is it the proximity to culture?  Is it our fabulous public schools?  I personally think that it's the PEOPLE that make the UWS so special, and today's email chain only reinforces my thinking.  Thank you for all of your amazing comments and thoughtful responses to this protected bike lane email chain.

We might not agree on everything, but we do agree that great bike infrastructure is key and that safety is of the utmost importance.  Some feel safe in the midst of Amsterdam traffic, while others prefer the slower but calmer protected bike lane concept (such as those in Europe).  Our job here at the Campaign is to educate and empower local residents to imagine and advocate for a neighborhood that is better for biking and walking.  We believe that these neighborhoods are safer, calmer, prettier, and healthier.  

So, thank you for your enthusiasm.  Please continue to utilize that enthusiasm by using our letter templates (or writing your own...you are all such great writers) to advocate for changes.  You can also attend local community board meetings to let your desires be known.  Community Board 7 meets the first Tuesday of every month.  They want to hear from you, as does the DOT.  Keep up the great work!  And, stay in touch...blog on the site and let's continue to learn from one another.

All the best for safe and happy cycling,
Lisa Sladkus

I commute by bike from W147th St to Park Slope, BK and spend a lot of time
riding, both in on-Island and in Bk.  I absolutely support your advocacy for
future infastructure development, but what I  REALLY want to know is how to
get some accountablity for infastructure, policies and laws already in place?
For instance, who the hell do I call when an entire block of bike lane is
blocked by cars - some of which are POLICE CARS (i.e. St. Nick btween
123rd/124th), or are used as taxi stands by livery cars and cabs?  Who's
responsible for fixing that terrible pothole just before the turnoff to the
Manhattan bridge on 1st Ave - or for cleaning up the debris in the bike lanes
downtown (i got a plastic bag stuck in my casette the other day and it almost
cost me big time)?

My feelings of frustration absolutely feed into the Us v Them metality that
puts everyone at risk, and big ol' chip on my shoulder.  These feelings would
definitely be mitigated, at least for me, if I felt like I could take action
and get some kind of response from accountable parties.

Thanks for the forum!
Abi



On 2009-05-28 17:27, Lisa Sladkus wrote:

> I'm giving a talk tonight about the UWS and what makes it so special.  Is it
> Central Park?  Is it the proximity to culture?  Is it our fabulous public
> schools?  I personally think that it's the PEOPLE that make the UWS so
> special, and today's email chain only reinforces my thinking.  Thank you for
> all of your amazing comments and thoughtful responses to this protected bike
> lane email chain. 
> We might not agree on everything, but we do agree that great bike
> infrastructure is key and that safety is of the utmost importance.  Some
> feel safe in the midst of Amsterdam traffic, while others prefer the slower
> but calmer protected bike lane concept (such as those in Europe).  Our job
> here at the Campaign is to educate and empower local residents to imagine
> and advocate for a neighborhood that is better for biking and walking.  We
> believe that these neighborhoods are safer, calmer, prettier, and
> healthier.    So, thank you for your enthusiasm.  Please continue to
> utilize that enthusiasm by using our letter templates (or writing your
> own...you are all such great writers) to advocate for changes.  You can also
> attend local community board meetings to let your desires be known. 
> Community Board 7 meets the first Tuesday of every month.  They want to hear
> from you, as does the DOT.  Keep up the great work!  And, stay in
> touch...blog on the site and let's continue to learn from one another. 
> All the best for safe and happy cycling,
> Lisa Sladkus
> 
>