Letters

56 Million Wire Donkeys

Dear T.A.:
I have really enjoyed the NYC Century Ride these last two years and would like to share some information with you about bicycling in Germany.

There are 56 million bicycles (called "wire donkeys") in Germany, which has a population of 82 million. 99% of all families have at least one bicycle. Over six million bicycles were sold in 1993 in Germany. On average, cyclists represent 11% of all traffic. German Federal Rail even offers parking places for bicycles on trains.

Most impressive of all is the government's support for cycling. There are already 4000 kilometers of bicycle paths open throughout the country, and by A.D. 2000 the network should total 16,000 kilometers.

Keep up your good work! To see New York City from a bicycle is a transforming experience.

Richard Fox, Ph.D. East Setauket, NY

Have Gun, Will Travel

Dear T.A.:
In February, I had an "incident" with a vehicle in Greenwich Village--slow but inattentive driver moves in on me, I slap car, he goes ballistic, has gun, I call for the police, the police' arrest me. Trouble is, the driver's a City Marshal and I'm Joe Citizen, guilty with the arrival of the first policeman.

The Marshal never said who he was. I didn't think to corral witnesses, the scene was so obvious to me. This man had just threatened me once with a car and was now threatening me with a gun. Now I'm on my way to court.

A city cyclist remembers a lot of things, but one of the most memorable to me is your article about four cyclists who were killed one January. These people were killed because drivers didn't see them. I try to be seen, and if necessary, I try to be heard.

Perhaps the article will be helpful in court, to show how easily this can happen.

David Avery 
Stamford, CT

Auto-Free Pennsylvania Ave.!

Ed. note: The following is a letter from former Auto-Free Press editor Mark Garbowski to the Washington Post.
To the Editor:
Everyone at the Post seems to be of the mind that closing two blocks of Pennsylvania Avenue to cars for White House security reasons is a terrible idea. This betrays a cars-first mind-set that ignores not only the interests of pedestrians but their very existence.

Reporter Ken Ringle repeatedly writes about "closing Pennsylvania Avenue" without once acknowledging that the proposal bans only cars. One really cannot get much of a view of the White House while zooming by at 30 mph. Nonetheless, in Mr. Ringle's mind (and according to anyone else the Post has seen fit to seek comment from), pedestrian access is no access at all.

A car-free zone in front of the White House creates a beautiful open-air pedestrian mall. Forget security; let's do this for quality-of-life reasons.

Mark Garbowski 
Washington, D.C.

T.A. Not Radical Enough

Dear T.A.:
I was going to write simply to praise the May/June '95 issue of Auto-Free Press. It wasn't radical enough in substance, but pretty darned good and important because our Auto-Free Times comes out so seldom.

But I want to strongly advise against a combined magazine, especially one named Transportation Alternatives! Such a title is boring and smacks of the "policy options" bullshit in Washington D.C. that is out of touch with any popular movements. Our corrupt political system, and our commercial, materialistic culture needs not respect and patience, but opposition and subversion. The concept of alternative transportation is fine, but the separate titles of your past publications were more clear. Are you at T.A. reaching for organizational growth while getting stuffy? Earth First!

Jan C. Lundberg Executive Director, Alliance for a Paving Moratorium, Publisher, Paving Moratorium Update/Auto-Free Times

Dear Jan: Thanks for praising Auto-Free Press. Transportation Alternatives is the name of our organization. T.A. was founded and named 22 years ago by a group of idealistic and dedicated people, many of whom are responsible for much of the power behind the environmental movement in New York City today. That's why we're proud of our name. In 22 years, T.A. has accomplished a lot. We've made improved cycling and walking as well as reduction of auto-dependence, potent political issue,
The movement includes "Auto-Free," but is also a broader call for a more livable city and we're far from ''stuffy," as anyone who has met our members or attended our rallies and protests can attest. -Ed.

Dear T.A.:
It was a pleasure hearing your Executive Director, John Kaehny, speak at the T.A. Bronx Committee's most recent meeting. He encouraged us to continue our progress under the leadership of chairperson Rich Gans. The support of the Bronx Borough President, NYC DOT, Parks Department, and the public has been better than expected. As a result, cycling is more accessible and safer in The Bronx.

Thank you also to Karen Overton for participating in the Bronx Health Plan's May bicycle safety workshops. Karen's enthusiasm was evident as she spoke to the assembled youth about the importance of wearing a helmet and obeying the rules of the road. Bike cops from the 52nd Precinct participated in another workshop; we distributed 75 helmets. As a member, I was happy to call T.A. for assistance. I hope, with Karen, to bring Recycle-A-Bicycle to The Bronx.

I was also happy to see that T.A. is involved in the Injury Prevention Project Coalition at the Lincoln Hospital. I want T.A. to continue its involvement in the boroughs beyond Manhattan and Brooklyn I wouldn't be surprised to see T.A.'s membership climb into the five figures.

Michael Benjamin
Manager, Community Outreach Bronx Health Plan