Park Slope Neighbors, a group that I co-founded and work for, has organized a petition drive in response to the Department of Transportation's plan to turn Sixth and Seventh Avenues into one-way streets. Volunteers were out on the streets this weekend. The petition reads:
To the New York City Department of Transportation and New York City Council Members David Yassky and Bill de Blasio:
We the undersigned Park Slope Neighbors demand that the planned conversion of 6th and 7th Avenues to one-way traffic flow be stopped:
- One-way avenues are unfriendly to neighborhood life. They lead to increased vehicle speeds and greater danger for pedestrians and cyclists.
- Our communities must be included in the City's planning processes. Community participation makes city government better. Neighborhood stakeholders have a much better understanding of local needs and problems than citywide officials can possibly ever possess.
- Changes like these should only be considered as part of a comprehensive, multi-modal, area-wide transportation plan. Re-routing more traffic through one neighborhood street or another in 2007 does not address or contribute to NYC's long-term goal of reduced automobile dependence.
Man, I couldn't have said it better myself! If you want to help send the message, you can sign the petition right here.
