Cartoon Thursday: Traffic Sham
This November 'toon from Ward Sutton, who skewers conventional editorial cartooning for The Onion, hits all the notes -- the myth of cyclist privilege, the disparity between the amount of space allotted to cars vs. other modes, and the waste and helplessness that comes with sitting in traffic. The coup de grâce of Sutton's "Kelly" panels has got to be the cartoonist "self-portrait," breaking the fourth wall with a pithy bon mot. Also note the Statue of Liberty, crying as cyclists whiz by.
By
Brad Aaron
5:04 PM EST on December 15, 2011

This November ‘toon from Ward Sutton, who skewers conventional editorial cartooning for The Onion, hits all the notes — the myth of cyclist privilege, the disparity between the amount of space allotted to cars vs. other modes, and the waste and helplessness that comes with sitting in traffic. The coup de grâce of Sutton’s “Kelly” panels has got to be the cartoonist “self-portrait,” breaking the fourth wall with a pithy bon mot. Also note the Statue of Liberty, crying as cyclists whiz by.
Take that, Bill Bramhall.
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Monday’s Headlines: We Fixed Congress Edition
DOT installed "don't walk" signs next to pedestrians ramps in Brooklyn, then removed them after Streetsblog started asking questions. Plus more news.
March 23, 2026
The City Is Doing to Prospect Park What It Needs to Do to All Parks
A long-awaited bike lane in Brooklyn will create almost full protected cycling coverage around Prospect Park — setting a new standard for the rest of the city.
March 23, 2026
NYC Pols To DOT: We Want More — And Better — Summer Streets!
A group of 29 current and former elected officials asked DOT to expand the car-free streets program so that it's not just a few random Saturdays along unconnected stretches.
March 23, 2026
Why Some Members of Congress Want to Go Big on Greenways
A new bill would multiply federal funding for walking and biking paths — even as some powerful congresspeople threaten to take away what we've already got.
March 23, 2026
Drunk Driver Arrested In High-Speed Harlem Crash That Killed Cyclist, Injured Four Others
The reckless speeding driver who killed one cyclist and injured four more people on Thursday night on the busy main street of Harlem has been arrested and charged with drunk driving and manslaughter, cops said on Saturday.
March 21, 2026
Comments Are Temporarily Disabled
Streetsblog is in the process of migrating our commenting system. During this transition, commenting is temporarily unavailable.
Once the migration is complete, you will be able to log back in and will have full access to your comment history. We appreciate your patience and look forward to having you back in the conversation soon.