Throwback Thursday: The Great NYC Commuter Race of 1990

Via Streetfilms, here’s a blast from the past -- kind of.

For a 1990 news segment called “Environment: In Your Own Backyard,” ABC staged a commuter race between Fred the motorist, Alvin the subway rider, and Judy the cyclist. The goal: be the first to get across the Brooklyn Bridge to Herald Square.

The commute montage, complete with a “Who’s Zoomin’ Who?”-era Aretha Franklin soundtrack, is interspersed with commentary from city officials and reporters on how the U.S. needs to invest in sustainable transportation, like transit and cycling, and stop subsidizing wasteful, dirty car travel.

Despite his confidence (and insistence that people who ride bikes are crazy), Fred and his Ford Fairmont get bogged down in traffic, finishing the trip in 50 minutes, “contributing to both ozone and carbon monoxide” all the way. Driving in New York City hasn’t changed much since 1990.

Though he skips the first train that comes along -- it’s packed -- Alvin, who's never had a drivers license, makes it in about half an hour, and was able to read his news (printed on the dried-out pulp of dead trees, if you can believe it) en route.

Judy, meanwhile, zips past Manhattan gridlock -- there are no protected bike lanes in sight -- and cruises into Herald Square in 25 minutes. ABC declares her the “environmental winner” as well.

Some things never change.