Bravo LaHood!

In the month since Transportation Secretary Ray Lahood stated alternative modes of transportation such as walking and biking should be considered in equal measure to automobiles in transportation planning and funding, there has been a frenzy of chagrined comments from fuming conservatives and trucking industrialists alike. Accusations that LaHood's position is "non-sensical," implications that he may be on drugs, and sarcastic comments that now our cargo systems will rely on back-packers, have all been flung about the proverbial ape's den that is the United States' House of Representatives. Oh my, who ever knew that non-motorized transportation could cause such a stir?

In reality, LaHood is responding to a viable demand from the American people- that we may exercise our freedom with the right to share the road safely, no matter what vehicle type we choose. Siting a survey which outline how most people want more mobility options in his official blog, Mr. LaHood explained his statements concerning bicycle policy by emphasizing that "people across America who value biking should have a voice when it comes to transport planning.... I didn't say they should have the only voice, just a voice."

Still, leave it to a near-sighted conservative like Rep. Steve LaTourette to take a sensible policy, one which is a part of the Obama administration's new livability initiative, and turn it into some radical liberal fantasy- as if Mr. Lahood has proposed that motorists' rights will somehow be diminished by opening up a discussion about transportation planning that includes a consideration of cyclists and pedestrians. Besides blatantly insulting the transportation secretary in the presence of congress, Rep. LaTourette also cried that new bicycle and walking paths must not be paid for using moneys from the United States gasoline tax- which would be fair enough, if so many walkers and bikers did not also drive cars.

And as LaHood rightly stated that he is not going to apologize for his plans to improve our transportation systems, he has been applauded not only by bicycle enthusiasts and the League of American Bicyclists, but also by environmentalists and strategic urban planners who believe that investing in infrastructure to support alternative modes of transportation would be holistically beneficial to society. Not to mention, it's what the people want. So, Bravo for Mr. LaHood. He is on the right path so far, and it's one that does not discriminate in favor of motorized car-culture! Hurray!

Pedal Power

New York City has seen an increase in bicycle traffic and alternative transportation awareness recently, as the local government has stepped up its efforts to strengthen the city's environmental efforts. As a part of Major Bloomberg's PLANYC program, which launched in 2007 in hopes of creating a vision for the city's sustainability goals, and includes "long term decisions that will improve our economy, our environment, and our quality of life- all at the same time," the city has burgeoned support for bicycle travel on a multitude of levels.

Part of the plan includes an expanded network of bicycle lanes and trails throughout the city- with a total of 1,800 miles expected to be installed by 2030. And a program sponsored by the NYC Department of Transportation has led to the creation of new, innovative bicycle parking racks, which were ironically designed using recycled parking meters! The DOT, along with other cohorts, called for artists to compete in a design competition for a variety of bike racks to be used in all 5 boroughs, to increase the security of bicycle parking in hopes of fostering more bike traffic on city streets. Although the finalists have long been chosen and have had their designs installed all over NYC, you can still see photos of the finalists' work here. Now that's something to be proud of!

Despite earning a "Bronze" level designation for being a bicycle friendly community by the League of American Bicyclists, New York has had a dark past when it comes to cycling. The city has been known to have a high percentage of cyclist deaths, prompting a number of bicycle safety ad campaigns, as well as the installation of street memorials in the form of Ghost Bikes, which serve as haunting reminders of the dangerous nature of riding in the city. Since 2007 that city has drawn a lot of heat from the cycling community for its arrests of critical mass riders, bicyclists who organize "coincidentally" to form a large herd of bike traffic on the city streets. While engaging in a completely legal affair, these innocent folks have been arrested by NYPD cops for "obstructing traffic." As if bicycles themselves do not count as traffic.

Still, recent trends in NYC transportation policy have resulted in a variety of positive actions taken towards accepting a bicycle culture as a mainstream mode of transportation within the city, thus facilitating an increase in bike use. With the expanded bicycle lanes and necessary bike infrastructure, cyclists may feel safer and more taken care of on the streets. And with the increased security of the new, innovative bike racks which are popping up every where you look on city streets, there is a sense of comfort in bicycle parking. Already, 141 new miles of bike lanes have been added, and 2,011 bike racks have been installed! If trends like this continue to move us forward on bike traffic, then the PlaNYC goal of creating a "greener, greater NYC" will surely be realized sooner than we think!