Times Up Says Fight the Bike Lane Backlash!

Time's Up! Says Fight the Bike Backlash

Times Up! Says Fight the Bike Backlash

Support Healthier Transportation for Everyone

Time’s Up! supports healthy transportation for everyone – pedestrians, cyclists, and cars. This is why we applaud efforts to expand the network of bike lanes throughout New York City’s five boroughs.

We already know that bicycles are part of the future of a logical transportation network for a global city, committed to supporting health and reducing global warming. In addition, bicycling is a fun way for people to get around the city. It reduces car congestion, offers a clear transportation alternative to the MTA’s increased fares and reduced service, and finally, it helps cool a planet suffering from far too many carbon emissions. In short, bicycling is a cost-effective solution for a myriad of problems. It represents the future of cities. Yet, today, in New York City, it is under threat.

This is why we are concerned that the City is targeting only one group of commuters: cyclists. According to the Village Voice, the NYPD hit cyclists with 1,400 tickets in the first two weeks of 2011 alone. Not just tickets; many are being forced to go to court to defend their actions or put through the criminal justice system: just for riding a bike.

Traffic laws exist for the safety of all users of the road, including pedestrians, bicyclists and cars. Yet, many cars fail to respect the bike lanes. According to a Hunter College study, there is a 60 percent chance of a cyclist being obstructed by a car in a bike lane (Nelson, 2009).

Today, riding in New York City can be a risky experience. Over the last year, countless members of our group have been doored, ticketed, and hit (on one occasion in a bike lane). One of the drivers even suggested the lane was “optional” for bikes. It does not have to be this way. Yet, as the New York Department of Health report “Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City:1996-2005” lays out; it often is.

This is not the first time cycling has been under attack in New York. Since the 2004 Republican National Convention, cycling has been the subject of an inordinate amount of scrutiny and harassment. Cyclists have been violently pulled off their bikes and arrested, had their bikes confiscated, etc. - all at enormous taxpayer expense. At Times Up!, we recognize that an injury to one is an attack on all; injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. On May 30, 2008, the Reverend Al Sharpton came to Union Square and made this same point before a Critical Mass Ride:

“We’re going to work together to have a Critical Mass in this city where we can ride in justice… so when you ride tonight, we come to stand with you because we must stand together, whether you are white, whether you are black, whether you are latino or asian, whether you are fat, skinny, gay, straight: we are all Sean Bell, we are all Critical Mass, we are all here together.” (quoted in Chung, 2008).“

In response to these attacks, cyclists litigated. Over and over, the city was found to be guilty of violating cyclists’ basic rights. Just last fall, the City agreed to pay cyclists attacked on Critical Mass rides $965,000.00 (see http://times-up.org/index.php?page=2010-10-19-city-pays-965-000-to-cyclists-arrested-on-critical-mass). Yet, instead of apologizing, the City set its target on cyclists. Instead of focusing on vehicles which cause the most danger – mainly automobiles -- the City set its sites on ticketing cyclists.

We in the dedicated bicycling community are aware of a small, though vocal, portion of the populace dissatisfied with the city’s new bike lanes. Some members of the media are all too willing to give them voice and page space to fuel their anger. We are a growing number of concerned and law-abiding bicyclists who are aware that the actions of police, and anti-bike rhetoric by politicians, will generally be reflected by the populace. At the same time, there seems to be an inordinate amount of authoritative clampdown, with bicyclists being thrown in jail, receiving summonses and excessively expensive tickets, and/or having their bikes confiscated. All too often, it’s for minor infractions like riding on the sidewalk, or tickets issued for riding, legally, in the street. This creates an environment of antagonism rather than unity. The backlash from drivers and pedestrians could also prove dangerous for all involved. As cyclists, we are asking everyone to tone down the rhetoric. We are asking for a more rational and respectful attitude and behavior from our politicians and police.

This attack is already discouraging cyclists from commuting to work or around the city. Biking is a solution for a global city. It reduces traffic and opens up the city to new perspectives, connecting the boroughs, bridging streets and people, communities and individual riders. Yet, the program will never reach its full potential as long as there is no enforcement of traffic laws prohibiting cars from parking in the bike lanes. Times Up! applauds the city for the increase in bike lanes. We also recognize that cyclists have certain inalienable rights just like everyone else (see http://bikewriterscollective.com/). We now ask for assistance from you in supporting safe, non-polluting transportation, rather than a counterproductive attack on cycling.

Over the next week, you will see Time’s Up passing out “Token Tickets of Love” to cyclists braving both the weather and antagonistic conditions and trying to spread the love http://times-up.org/index.php?page=463&pimsw=0. Riding a bike in the city means doing the right thing for the planet and the city. Out with the jive, in with the love. Fight the bike lane backlash.

As Freddy Mercury sang: “Get on your bikes and ride!”
.
References:

Chung, Jen. 2008. Sharpton Joins Critical Mass to Protest Police Issues. Gothamist. Accessed 25 January 2011 from http://gothamist.com/2008/05/31/sharpton_joins.php

Brad Lander. 2010. Prospect Park Reconfiguration Community Survey Results. Accessed 25 January 2011 from http://www.scribd.com/doc/44783464/Prospect-Park-West-Reconfiguration-Community-Survey-Results

Nelson, Katie. 2009. Hunter College Survey Finds Car Drivers Block Bicycle Lanes in
Manhattan. New York Daily News. 3 December 3. , Accessed 29 December 2009
http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/12/03/2009-

NYDOH. Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City
1996-2005.http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/episrv/episrv-bike-report.pdf
03_survey_finds_drivers_block_bicycle_lanes.html.

NY Department of Transportation. 2011. Prospect Park Bicycle Path and Traffic Calming Update Results. Accessed 25 January 2011
http://nyc.gov/html/dot/downloads/pdf/20110120_ppw.pdf

Report of the Manhattan Borough President’s Office.
http://www.mbpo.org/release_details.asp?id=1681

Full write-up of the Marty Zap!

**please forward**

Time's Up! Love Your Lane Bike Clowns serenade Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz with singing telegrams, and deliver a "Golden Bicycle" Holiday Gift.

Awesome Video by Time's Up! video collective

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLOgvdhx_Gs


********************************

Fabulous photos by Adrian Kinloch & Rich Colosimo.:

http://britinbrooklyn.net/photography/golden-bike/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/txup/sets/72157625617577862/


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Thursday, December 16th, the “Love Your Lane” cyclist clowns from the environmental organization Time’s Up! came to Brooklyn Borough Hall dressed in holiday- and festive-colored costumes. The clowns were ready to recruit. After Brooklyn borough President Marty Markowitz’ clownish behavior last week at the well attended bike lane oversight hearing, the clowns hoped to invite Markowitz to join their circus. After all, his rendition of “My Favorite Things” to the City Council’s Transportation Committee hearing on NYC Bike Policy, chalk full of anti-bike lane misinformation, made him an ideal candidate.

The “Love Your Lanes” clowns were also interested in adding a verse to the childhood anthem, “My Favorite Things”:

When the car honks,
and trucks double park,
when we're run off the bike lane
I simply think of Prospect Park's designated bike lane
And then I don't feel so bad.

Keep reading here:

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=love-lane-clowns-sing-for-marty

Lyrics to all the songs they sang here:

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=time-s-up-love-your-lane-songs

Press Release:

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=2010-12-16-love-your-lane-clowns-serenade-brooklyn-bp

Bike Blog write up:

http://www.bikeblognyc.com/love-your-lanes-marty-love-your-lanes/

Gothamist

http://gothamist.com/2010/12/17/bike_lane_clowns_give_markowitz_a_b.php

Brooklyn Paper

http://www.brooklynpaper.com/stories/33/52/all_bb_martybike_2010_12_24_bk.html

Love Lane Clowns Sing for Marty

(Implore the Borough President to Change his Tune about the Bike Lanes)

Thursday, December 16^th, at 9:30am, the “Love Your Lane” cyclist clowns from the environmental organization Time’s Up! came to Brooklyn Borough Hall dressed in holiday- and festive-colored costumes. The clowns were ready to recruit. After Brooklyn borough Presidend Marty Markowitz’ clownish behavior last week at the well attended bike lane oversight hearing, the clowns hoped to invite Markowitz to join their circus. After all, his rendition of “My Favorite Things” to the City Council’s Transportation Committee hearing on NYC Bike Policy, chalk full of anti-bike lane misinformation, made him an ideal candidate.

,The “Love Your Lanes” clowns were also interested in adding a verse to the childhood anthem, “My Favorite Things”:

When the car honks,

and trucks double park,

when we're run off the bike lane

I simply think of Prospect Park's designated bike lane

And then I don't feel so bad.

Walkers by cheered along as the clowns sang their versions of “Joy to the World” as “Bikes to the World” and “Jingle Bells” as “Prospect Lane” in homage to benefits of biking, particularly in designated two way bike lanes such as on Prospect Park West. There residents have shown widespread support for the lane in a recent survey taken by Council Member Brad Lander’s office. Despite this support, Markowitz continues to campaign against the lane, showing little regard for the youth and the families who find the lane a safe transportation alternative for a neighborhood which recently lost a cross borough bus line, the #71 cut by MTA service cuts. Given this, it is not surprising passers-by showed so many signs of approval for the sign carried by one of the clowns, “Marty Markowitz Is Out of Touch with Brooklyn.” “Today’s Brooklyn supports bike lanes, healthy non-polluting transportation and biking,” explained Times Up! volunteer Benjamin Shepard. “Come on Marty. Bikes are hip. They are a great way to model healthy urban living in which we do our part to reduce global warming and remain healthy at the same time.”

The clowns attempted to present Borough President Marty Markowitz with his holiday gift of a donated bicycle painted gold with pro-biking messages, and the word, “Oy Ve” on the handlebars. But his staff members rebuffed the effort. In addition the clowns sent Markowitz a massage that he should cease and desist his campaign against the Prospect Park Bike Lane and start to ride. Specifically, the clowns invited Markowitz to the Time Up! Love Your Lane Valentines Dance Ride scheduled for February 14^th. “The invitation still stands,” noted Times Up! volunteer Monica Hunken.

The action was also a response to the very one sided bike oversight hearing held last week.
“Markowitz used his time last week to sing a song, rather than give any real facts to explain his opposition to the Prospect Park West Bike Lane,” said Barbara Ross of Time’s Up! “Meanwhile, a packed house of New Yorkers in favor of more protected bike lanes waited for hours in below-freezing weather for their turn to testify. Many didn’t.” By the time pro-bike speakers got to testify most of the council had left (http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/12/10/more-testimony-from-the-city-council-bike-hearing/ http://benjaminheimshepard.blogspot.com/2010/12/more-bikes-less-cars.html).

“If Marty wants to clown around, we can too,” said Ross. “His stance is not shared by most New Yorkers. Marty does his constituents no favors by lacking both knowledge and a desire to be educated on the challenges faced by pedestrians and cyclists alike.” Ross noted that other officials like Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and such Council members as Brad Lander, Tish James and Gale Brewer came prepared with a both a real sense of the current situation and realistic solutions for bike policies.

“Don’t be a schlemiel Marty, love your bike lanes,” added Ben Shepard, a Time’s Up! volunteer. “We have an obesity epidemic in this town. It can be fought with daily exercise like bicycling. Look at the cyclist who lost 30 pounds commuting to work. How can you not embrace the idea of biking as both transportation and a model of healthy urban living?”

"Love Your Lane" Clowns Serenade Brooklyn BP

"Love Your Lane" Clowns Serenade Brooklyn BP

MEDIA ADVISORY

Contacts: Benjamin Shepard – 917 586 7952
Barbara Ross - 917 494 8164, press@times-up.org

TIME’S UP!’ “LOVE YOUR LANE” BIKE CLOWNS TO SERENADE BROOKLYN BP MARKOWITZ WITH SINGING TELEGRAMS AND “GOLDEN BICYCLE” HOLIDAY GIFT

Time’s Up! Gift Giving to Marty Markowitz
Thursday, December 16th
9:00am: Love Your Lane Bike Clowns gather at Court & Joralemon, near elevator outside of Borough Hall
9:30am: Cyclists walk over to Marty Markowitz’s Office, Brooklyn Borough Hall, 209 Joralemon Street

New York, NY (Thursday, December 16, 2010) – Thursday morning at 9:30am, the “Love Your Lane” cyclist clowns of environmental organization Time’s Up! come to Brooklyn Borough Hall dressed in holiday- and festive-colored costumes. They will present Borough President Marty Markowitz with his holiday gift of a donated bicycle painted gold with pro-biking messages, and to sing telegrams with their own versions of the song “My Favorite Things.”

This is Time’s Up!’s response to Markowitz’s own clownish behavior last week. That’s when his rendition of “My Favorite Things” to the City Council’s Transportation Committee hearing on NYC Bike Policy illustrated his anti-bike lane stance. By contrast, the “Love Your Lanes” clowns’ songs feature positive messages about bicycling.

“Markowitz used his time last week to sing a song, rather than give any real facts to explain his opposition to the Prospect Park West Bike Lane,” said Barbara Ross of Time’s Up! “Meanwhile, a packed house of New Yorkers in favor of more protected bike lanes waited for hours in below-freezing weather for their turn to testify. Many didn’t.”

“If Marty wants to clown around, we can too,” said Ross. “His stance is not shared by most New Yorkers. Marty does his constituents no favors by lacking both knowledge and a desire to be educated on the challenges faced by pedestrians and cyclists alike.”

Ross noted that other officials like Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and such Council members as Tish James and Gale Brewer came prepared with a both a real sense of the current situation and realistic solutions for bike policies.

“Don’t be a schlemiel Marty, love your bike lanes,” added Ben Shepard, a Time’s Up! volunteer. “We have an obesity epidemic in this town. It can be fought with daily exercise like bicycling. Look at the cyclist who lost 30 pounds commuting to work. How can you not embrace the idea of biking as both transportation and a model of healthy urban living?”

CLICK HERE for the link to Council Members Brad Lander and Steve Levin’s survey about the Prospect Park West bike lane that depicts widespread support for the re-designed street.

More Bikes, Less Cars

More Bikes, Less Cars.

Testimony in Favor of Bike Lanes

by Benjamin Shepard, PhD

Benjamin Shepard here. By day, I am a college professor at New York College of Technology/CUNY. Every day, I ride my bike from Smith Street across Jay Street to Tillary, where I traverse into traffic to avoid crashing into cars double parked outside of the Court, swerving in and out of the designated bike lanes. I am certainly not alone in having this experience. According to a Hunter College study, there is a 60 percent chance of a cyclist being obstructed by a car in a bike lane (Nelson, 2009).

For the last five years, I have participated in bike lane liberation rides as a member of Times UP! We have witnessed cars double parked in lanes, police cars in bike lanes, loading trucks in bike lanes, delivery vans in bike lanes. Yet, never have I seen a policeman arresting a car in one of these lanes. "Is this a parking lot or a bike lane? we frequently ask those parked in the lanes. “Is this thing a bike?”

My days begin dropping my two daughters off on Prospect Park where countless kids now ride to and from school. We lost a bus line (the #71) so more and more people ride. I hope the ride will become safer as time passes and these new riders grow. I applaud the city for its commitment to cycling. But the experience must become safer so more of the new bikers can ride with confidence.

Today, riding in New York City is not a safe experience. Over the last year, I have been doored by two cars - this year alone and that was on a bike lane. On one of the drivers even suggested it was an optional bike lane. No one should take their life in their hands when they ride to school or work.

The New York Department of Health report “Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City1996-2005” confirms this finding. Key findings from the report note that:

1. While bicyclist injuries declined between 1996 and 2003, fatalities remained steady.

• Between 1996 and 2003, a total of 3,462 NYC bicyclists were seriously injured in crashes with motor vehicles.

The annual number of serious bicyclist injuries decreased by 46% during the 8-year period.

• Between 1996 and 2005, 225 bicyclists died in crashes. Bicyclist deaths remained steady during the 10-year period.

2. Bicyclist fatality rates in New York City are similar to national rates, though NYC has higher rates of

cycling for transportation.

• The bicyclist fatality rate for NYC is similar to the national rate – 2.8 compared to 2.7 per one million residents.

• Census data show that many more NYC adults (11% vs. 3%) walk or bicycle to work compared to the national average.

3. Nearly all bicyclist fatalities (92%) occurred as a result of crashes with motor vehicles.

• Most crashes (89%) occurred at or near intersections.

• Although they make up only 5–17% of vehicles on NYC roadways, large vehicles (trucks, buses) accounted

for almost one third (32%) of fatalities.

• Nearly all (94%) fatalities involved poor driving or bicycle riding practices, particularly driver inattention and

disregarding traffic signals and signs.

• Although there are many more miles of local roads, more than half of fatal crashes occurred on arterial (large,

four lane) roads (53%).

• 7% of fatal crashes occurred on limited access highways, where bicycling is prohibited.

4. Bicycle lanes and properly used bicycle equipment may reduce the risk of fatalities.

Biking is a solution for a global city. It reduces traffic and opens up the city to new perspectives, connecting the boroughs, bridging streets and people, communities and individual riders. Yet, the program will never reach its full potential as long as there is no enforcement of traffic laws prohibiting cars from parking in the bike lanes.

I applaud the city for the increase in bike lanes. I now ask for assistance from you in supporting safe, non-polluting transportation.

NYDOH. Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City

1996-2005. http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/downloads/pdf/episrv/episrv-bike-report.pdf

Nelson, Katie. 2009. Hunter College Survey Finds Car Drivers Block Bicycle Lanes in

Manhattan. New York Dailey News. , 3 December 3. , Accessed 29 December 2009 http://www.nydailynews.com/ny_local/2009/12/03/2009-

03_survey_finds_drivers_block_bicycle_lanes.html.

All out for gardens hearing November 29, 2010

Press Release:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contacts: Benjamin Shepard 917.586.7952; Susan Howard 917.207.6738; press@times-up.org

Times Up! Statement for Oversight Hearing on Community Gardens
Any plans for a green NYC, must include passing a law that preserves, supports and creates more community gardens.

New York, NY (November 29, 2010) –

The mobilization for the community gardens this summer shows there is overwhelming support for expanded green space in the city. And when needed, people will organize. While we are proud that the city responded to the work of activists citywide to preserve the gardens, we need a law. Until there is a law passed and gardens are mapped as parkland, garden supporters will remain suspect of the city’s intentions. For example, we noted that in her Food Works speech last week, speaker Quinn spoke of several pieces of pending "green" legislation - the passage of which she is guaranteeing. Yet when she talked about the community gardens - it was clear that there is NO legislation pending before the City Council that would make the gardens permanent - just talk about support - but no real legislative action.

As of today, we are losing lots and lots of gardens. We’ve lost 350 since 1999 and a lot more than that over the decades. In 1980, the city had 1400 gardens. Today, there are only 300 community gardens preserved in parks. The few remaining under other agencies are in imminent danger of being bulldozed. Additionally the Parks Department has been in the practice of "swapping" these preserved gardens, moving gardens out of parks to be bulldozed for housing. This practice must stop. Many of these swapped gardens are still green spaces and must be preserved. We oppose the loss of these spaces. And Astro Turf and cement pocket parks don’t count (and in fact do more harm than good).

We are concerned about the lack of commitment to support, preserve, or create new green spaces. The social rate of return for community gardens in terms of quality life, property values, increased civic participation, food security, green space, global warming should help make preserving and creating more gardens a priority for the city. Any discussion of PlanNYC should include ways to preserve and create more community gardens to ensure green spaces as part of the sustainable future of NYC.

And finally, gardens are not standing in the way of housing. Garden activists support the need for both more gardens and affordable housing. The city could easily reach its benchmarks for truly affordable housing if all properties that went into tax arrears and were taken over by the city, were preserved as low income housing. The City could also review all such properties to indentify land to create community gardens. In sum, ensure gardens are here for our children. Gardens are a crucial part of the solution for our global city's sustainable future.

http://times-up.org/index.php?page=2010-11-29-statement-for-oversight-hearing-on-community-gardens

Happy Birthday Direct Action and Fundraisers for Rev Billy and NYCAHN!

Hello Everyone,

Next week is my 41^st birthday. Last year, we celebrated at the Picture the Homeless fundraiser.

This year, I’d like to celebrate my birthday with you at two fundraisers for two of my favorite organizing groups in town: Rev. Billy and the Church of Stop Shopping (11/16) and the New York City AIDS Housing Network (11/11). I am on the board for the Church of Stop Shopping and on the host committee for NYCAHN. Both groups had amazing years this year, creating potent people’s victories with little to no budgets. Rev. Billy and company spent much of 2010 dropping dirt in the lobbies of Chase banks around the city in protest of the bank’s continued support for mountain top removal. This simple gesture of direct action forced a change in corporate policy. One of my favorite Rev Billy shows this year was for the Gardens and Mountains Save Us! show celebrating this community victory, in connection with the ongoing struggle for green space and public space in NYC! After watching Rev. Billy shows for over a decade, this was probably the best, most connecting, community show I have seen by the Church of Stop Shopping. Please join us for the Rev Billy benefit http://www.revbilly.com/events/church-of-life-after-shopping-benefit

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010 7:00PM - 10:00PM

LOCATION

Theatre 80

80 St. Mark's PLace, at 1st ave

New York, NY 10003

http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=2682

If you can’t make this show, please purchase a ticket for the 10th Anniversary Gala of the New York City AIDS Housing Network (NYCAHN) on November 11th.

For any who knows me, I take few things more seriously than community organizing and building social justice movements. And no group in New York continues the direct action AIDS movement strategy like NYCAHN. This year alone the group successfully pushed the state to decriminalize syringe possession, as well as pushed to have the Senate and Assembly pass a 30% rent cap bill. The governor veto’d the bill and NYCAHN has been after him ever since. November 9^th, we have another demo to get the governor to sign this bill at 11 AM at City Hall Park! http://www.housingfightsaids.org/2010/11/major-rally-and-civil-disobedience-on.html

Over the years, NYCAHN consistently showed the very best in brilliant, strategic, ethical and transformative organizing. NYCAHN staff and leaders guided and aided my students as they learned the tricks of organizing. They were the most militant and fierce member of the my steering committee at Housing Here and Now. Now I draw from their membership models of homeless and formerly homeless people in my work at Queers for Economic Justice. No group has had a greater impact on how the AIDS movement churns forward, connecting local struggles with global justice campaigns.

NYCAHN organizes homeless and formerly homeless people living with HIV and AIDS in New York City. They prioritize people directly affected as leading all their work. They were one of the few progressive groups who were successful in getting legislation through the New York State Senate this year. They use direct action, fierce protest, and serious on the ground organizing to wage some of the strongest left campaigns in New York. Through their sister organization, VOCAL, former and active drug users fight for civil rights and just drug policy. NYCAHN is a core strategic leader in building the future of a left in New York lead by those with the most stake in fundamentally transforming this city.

In just over two weeks, NYCAHN/VOCAL are holding a major fundraiser celebrating their 10th Anniversary on Thursday, November 11. I'm proud to be on the Host Committee for the event. For all who can afford the $75 tickets, I want to strong encourage you to purchase a ticket, including for those who live outside of the city or who can't attend. For everyone, I ask you to donate whatever you are able to NYCAHN.

Too purchase tickets or make a donation, go to

http://www.nycharities.org/events/EventLevels.aspx?ETID=2682

The event details:

NYCAHN/VOCAL 10th Anniversary Gala

November 11, 2010, from 7 PM to 10 PM

1199 Penthouse

330 West 42nd St, 33rd Floor

Please let me know if you are able to join us or otherwise contribute to NYCAHN. Thank you.

In Solidarity,

Benjamin Shepard

Rally to Support the New Prospect Park West!

Rally to Support the New Prospect Park West!

See All

Time	Thursday, October 21 · 8:00am - 9:00am
Location	Grand Army Plaza
Created By	Noel Hidalgo, Park Slope Neighbors, Transportation Alternatives
More Info	Opponents of the Prospect Park West bike lane and traffic-calming project are planning to hold a rally and media event on Thursday morning, October 21. Their goal is to get rid of this innovative livable streets project. It is essential that supporters of this project show up in large numbers for our own demonstration that morning. We need to make it clear to the press and politicians, once and for all, just how much this project is valued by the broader community. Supporters will be rallying at Grand Army Plaza on Thursday, October 21 at 8:00am. We would like to get a big, diverse and civil crowd out to this event. If you show up to one local political event this year, make it this one. And please feel free to your bring kids and their grandparents. Show that livable streets matter to everyone. If you plan on coming, please RSVP to rsvp@parkslopeneighbors.org. More information here: http://www.streetsblog.org/2010/10/14/next-thursday-a-neighborly-rally-for-the-traffic-calming-ppw-bike-lane And our local City Council members are taking an online survey on Prospect Park. Please fill it out if you have a second: http://www.surveymonkey.com/ppwsurvey