More on the battle of the bike lanes. After City Council member Alan Gerson's rally yesterday to protest the configuration of the Grand Street bike lanes, CD1 candidate Margaret Chin released a statement sharply critical of the event. Chin alleged that the rally, on a Chinatown street corner, was little more than a campaign stunt. Now the Gerson campaign is out with a statement of its own:
Council Member Alan J. Gerson held a press conference specifically to assure the community that he has introduced Intro 10-63, which allows more community input regarding citywide bicycle policies and street access. Gerson believes that changes to street conditions directly impact the lives of residents and the community. That is why their voice and concerns, as well as those of bicyclists, must be considered, not only by the community board, but also by the NYC Department of Transportation. This legislation will increase community input across the city. It is unfortunate that this benign legislation is attacked by his political opponent for political purposes.
Chin is one of four candidates challenging Gerson in the September 15th Democratic Primary. At the rally, he was surrounded by Chinatown residents and business owners, who believe the bike lane has snarled traffic and made Grand Street more dangerous. The First District includes Chinatown, where Chin is a longtime community organizer.
