Weiner: There’s No Need for “Warfare Over Bike Lanes”
Queens Congressman Anthony Weiner has edged a little closer to clarifying his now-infamous "tearing out your [expletive] bike lanes" remark.
Though he previously seemed to confirm what many suspected -- that the Times, in its zeal for a juicy lede, turned an off-the-cuff exchange with Mayor Bloomberg into an indictment of transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan -- Weiner, who's not exactly known for holding his tongue, has declined to elaborate when it comes to the question of whether he would maintain or continue the expansion of the city's program for safer biking and walking if elected mayor.
Yesterday, during a social media exchange that brought in thousands of questions and comments, Weiner had this to say:
"first it was a joke. but it make the story because we now have open and unnecessary warfare over bike lanes. its a false choice : bike lanes and true civic planning."
It's not the same as, "No, I'm not going to tear out any bike lanes," but Weiner appears to be acknowledging that the current bike lane "controversy" has been trumped up in the press. As for saying that New Yorkers can have both bike infrastructure and "true civic planning" -- that's sort of a no-brainer, right?
More to come, no doubt.
Stay in touch
Sign up for our free newsletter
More from Streetsblog New York City
Analysis: ‘Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program’ is a Failure By All Measures
The Department of Transportation wants the Dangerous Vehicle Abatement Program to simply expire in part because it did not dramatically improve safety among these worst-of-the-worst drivers and led to a tiny number of vehicle seizures.
School Bus Driver Kills Cyclist in Boro Park, 24th Bike Death of 2023
Luis Perez-Ramirez, 44, was biking south on Fort Hamilton Parkway just before 3:15 p.m. when he was struck a by school bus driver making a right turn.
‘Betrayal’: Adams Caves to Opposition, Abandons Bus Improvement Plan on Fordham Road
The capitulation on Fordham Road is the latest episode in which the mayor has delayed or watered down a transportation project in deference to powerful interests.
Friday’s Headlines: Yes He Said Yes He Will Yes Edition
That headline above is a reference to the last line of James Joyce's Ulysses, which we won't pretend to have read. But we have that ... and other news.
Madness: Port Authority Will Spend $8.3M to ‘Study’ Widening Outerbridge Crossing
Will this $8.3 million find out anything we don't know about induced demand?
