New York, NY – The new bike lanes slicing up city streets have triggered howls from drivers and pedestrians but a new poll out Thursday finds that more city voters like them than not.
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A full 59% of voters told Quinnipiac University pollsters that they approve of the lanes, calling them greener and healthier while 35% of voters panned them as traffic clogging.
“Warmer weather brings out more cyclists and more support for bike lanes,” said Quinnipiac pollster Maurice Carroll.
The lanes have improved their image since May when just 56% were pro-lane.
The lanes are most popular in Manhattan and the Bronx – and least popular in Staten Island, the poll found.
Quinnipiac pollsters surveyed 1,234 registered city voters from July 19-25 asking about a range of issues affecting the city.
Among the polls other findings:
– 69% of voters would shop at a Wal-Mart if it were convenient compared to 27% who would not though 51% say Wal-Mart doesn’t pay its employees enough.
– Most New Yorkers – 75% — say the new National 9/11 Memorial Museum should be free. Even among those who support an entry fee, 86% said the proposed $25 admission price is too high.
– More than 3/4 of voters – 77% — think public worker layoffs should be based on performance, not seniority. Even 66% of voters who say they come from union household told pollsters they wanted layoffs based on merit.
– Voters also say workers should not have to pay more for their pensions or health care.
Just as accurate as the crime stats and how strong Bloomberg was going to win the election. If only we would’ve known…..
Bloomberg has the media in his pocket. Have you ever seen anything about Bloomberg’s personal life in the media?
What these poll results show is that the heimeshe neighborhoods and elected representatives need to get with the program and join the rest of the city in adopting biking as the norm for most local transportation needs. For going to shul, market, mikvah or wherever, we should bike and leave the car home. Bike lanes make this easier and are consistent with our obligations towards tikkun olam.
what oh what is up with tikkun olam, I am hearing it more and more recently, but this concept makes not sense. We have to act like responsible people, and try to conserve energy but that does not equal tikkun olam the world does not need a tikun? what is this some sort of reform version of green peace. Not everything needs to have hebrew words to make us responsible as humans!!!
Most New Yorkers – 75%—say the new National 9/11 Memorial Museum should be free. Even among those who support an entry fee, 86% said the proposed $25 admission price is too high.
that is shocking one would think it would be closer to 100%
The fact is every city block is a bike lane. There are no restrictions as to where someone can ride a bike. In addition I think when lanes are marked drivers are more careful when opening doors. etc.
My problem with the lanes and I think many will agree is when the city makes “olum hufuch” and makes bikes more important then cars. Like hefty fines for blocking a lane. Taking away precious parking spaces. Reducing lanes in already congested streets. In addition in many places the lanes are almost never used.
I think if these problems were addressed and just make lanes to help increase visibility most drivers wouldn’t care about bike lanes .
they polled students in a university about drivers vs. bikers? i’m actually surprised only 59% were in favor of the bike lanes.
“The lanes are most popular in Manhattan and the Bronx”
I’m going to go out on a limb and assume that 1. there are far fewer bike lanes in the Bronx, causing less traffic disruption, and 2. Most of those people in Manhattan never drive and aren’t negatively affected by the bike lanes.
I actually like the idea of bike lanes, if they were made with the least disruption possible to car traffic (and parking) I would be a big supporter.
As long as they’re being used by this anti-car traffic commissioner as a tool in her anti-car crusade I absolutely cannot support them.
Where was the toll taken? In the Bikers Club?
“My problem with the lanes and I think many will agree is when the city makes “olum hufuch” and makes bikes more important then cars.”
Well, that actually follows PETA’S thinking that animals are more important than people.
The problem arises when people ride bikes, and animals drive cars; who will get preferential treatment? (tongue in cheek!)