As we've noted before, Streetsblog.org is not at all that happy with any of the District 1 City Council candidates, when it comes to their positions on transit issues. All of the candidates have come out in opposition to the relatively new Grand Street bike lanes. This morning, Streetsblog posted this item about a 12:30 rally planned by Council member Alan Gerson:
Rally to Protest Dangerous Conditions with the Grand Street Bike Lane
WHEN: Friday, August 21, 2009 at 12:30pm
WHERE: Corner of Grand St and Mott St
WHAT: Rally to protest dangerous conditions caused by the Grand Street bike lane and to demand that the NYC Department of Transportation conduct more community outreach before deciding where to place bike lanes.
WHO: NYC Council Member Alan J. Gerson, local business owners and residents
That would be the same "dangerous" bike lane that has calmed traffic by narrowing the right-of-way for motorists. Oh, and it gives cyclists a nice, protected east-bound link in Lower Manhattan's bike network. Alan Gerson wants "more community outreach." That's one way to put it. Given that the bike lane was vetted by Community Board 2, which approved the project in a nearly unanimous vote last year, isn't this more like a demand to give small, vocal groups veto power over street safety projects? I think it's pretty much official at this point: The District 1 City Council contest is a race to the bottom when it comes to livable streets.
