New York City's Fleet

NYC police officer, 24th Precinct (Manhattan), 1992. Photo: Anita Bartsch.

New York City government operates some 24,000 vehicles. Many of these are essential vehicles like fire engines and sanitation trucks, but city workers also use some 7,500 sedans and 3,200 pick-up trucks. Purchasing, maintaining, insuring and fueling these vehicles costs the city hundreds of millions of dollars a year.

On at least two occasions, Mayor Dinkins has called for the city to cut its automotive fleet by 1,500, a move that he estimates would save $11.2 million over five years. The Mayor has not, however, taken the logical next step: directing city agencies to adopt bicycles as an alternative mode of transport for government employees.

ADDING BICYCLES TO THE FLEET

The use of bicycles by the city improves their status within government and among the public. Equally important, experiences of other municipalities that have switched to bicycles for short- and medium-haul trips suggest that their use improves productivity and saves money. Not only are bicycles often faster door to door than cars or mass transit; they reduce purchase, fuel, insurance, storage, maintenance and health-care costs.