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| GA graphic circa 2016: https://grafixavenger.blogspot.com/2016/02/bikezilla-v-drama-queens.html |
In this era of revisionist history ("my inauguration crowd was the biggest ever!") folks need to rely on witnesses and documentary record to fact-check a politician whose current position is inconsistent with their past position. In this case, it is one incumbent City Council candidate who rails about e-scooter safety in 2019 (at election time) but who railed against protected bike lanes in the original Washington Street redesign.
GA directs your attention to a series of exchanges on Phil Cohen's Twitter page. Among the witnesses to said Councilwoman's 2016 rejection of protected bike lanes were former Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer and her former Director of Communications Juan Melli.
Since Twitter discussions are like the most annoying tree in your backyard, sprouting endless branches and offshoots, GA suggests you view the full conversations on Twitter, excerpts are captioned with links.
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| https://twitter.com/dawnzimmernj/status/1151827459798642689 |
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| https://twitter.com/PhilipHCohen/status/1151596504127299594 |
BACKGROUND
Folks may remember that in 2016, protected bike lanes were integral to the Zimmer administration's Washington Street redesign proposal. However, protected bike lanes were shot down by Hoboken's council subcommittee, amidst objections from many Washington Street business owners. A chief objection from the business owners was that protected bike lanes would prohibit cars from temporary double parking, to drop off/pick up goods and services on Washington Street.
Fisher claims publicly that her failure to support protected bike lanes was because they were improperly designed and unsafe. That notion should be rejected outright. The plans presented to the council were conceptual and schematic. The council members are not engineers, and the drawings were concepts for presentation, not fully engineered construction drawings. Fisher, a councilwoman, has no license nor expertise to make any determination on engineering design safety and adherence to state and federal engineering construction guidelines. That is what Building Departments are for.
It is ludicrous for any politician to make an engineering design critique based on concept design plans for a complex main street redesign.
SHOULDA WOULDA COULDA
I wouldn't blame 2016's City Council for not having a crystal ball.
In 2016, e-scooters were three years away from coming to Hoboken; no one could have anticipated their raging popularity nor the safety issues they would bring for both riders and pedestrians on our main street. In hindsight, had the City stuck with protected bike lanes, a big problem on our main street would have been solved, even local businesses might have reaped great benefit from e-scooter 'double parking' to pick up/drop off goods and services.
That e-scooter has sailed. Where to go from here?
Dutch Reach? I learned about it from a caller on Brian Lehrer on a similar NYC issue. Open your car door on the driver's side with your right hand instead of the left; it forces you to twist and look over your shoulder for oncoming bikes and scooters. I do it all the time now. Wish I did not have to drive to my job but there's no good public transportation option. Driving down Washington Street is anxiety producing; Dutch Reach is one precaution I can take. I'd like to see our public leaders do a video of themselves doing the DR to get the word out in Hoboken. DiBlasio loved it when he heard about it.
ReplyDeleteAs
It was on WNYC last month segment
Deletehttps://www.wnyc.org/story/brush-bike-lingo/
I got "doored" a week ago. Ambulance, xrays, the whole 9. Promoting a way of opening the door will get the same dumbass reaction as paper straws and plastic bags. It will just give those who are always on the look out for a way to bitch about the changing world a happy morning because they have something new to bitch about. Double if it's endorsed by Deblasio.
DeleteI would promote not being a dumbass and checking before you open your door the same way you do for cars. Because you can send a cyclist to the hospital. But a passing car will take your door off and send YOU to the hospital.