Comment 88922

By Mal (anonymous) | Posted May 24, 2013 at 06:22:01 in reply to Comment 88913

In an ideal world, no. As Sadik-Khan has suggested, clear vision, rapid implementation, evidence-driven evaluations, and constant public engagement are key to making transformational change possible. I chose the term "bulldozer moves" as shorthand for that kind of decisive, palpable and purposeful change. Not in the sense of crushing public support or dissent, but in pushing through challenges to enact measures that would make humanized city spaces a reality. (And it's not just *a* bike lane, it's something like 200 miles (320km) of bike lanes. Being able to roll out a network at speed in an urban environment like Manhattan is not exactly a gimme.)

http://luskin.ucla.edu/news/public-policy/sadik-khan-change-can-be-done

But there's also realpolitik to consider. I don't think that anyone who observes the workings of cities would describe traffic engineering or infrastructure spending as sectors where rationality reigns supreme. Bloomberg appointed Sadik-Khan and his unwavering support from day one gave her power to enact substantive change:

"Ms. Sadik-Khan has two things that her predecessors have lacked," Says Transportation Alternatives' Executive Director Paul Steely White, "Solid experience in planning for transit oriented streets, and perhaps more importantly, a Mayoral mandate to relieve congestion and create sustainable, greener streets."

http://www.transalt.org/newsroom/releases/118

A more diffident mayor would have made her work hard if not impossible. And Gotham may yet get Jarvised.

To wit:

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/02/13/nyregion/new-york-bike-lane-advocates-fear-new-mayor-will-roll-back-gains.html?_r=0

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