Tuesday, June 28, 2022

The Department of Transportation Alternatives undermines community plan for Citibike racks

 



 Ridgewood Post

The Department of Transportation plans to bring Citi Bike to Maspeth and Middle Village this summer but the agency is coming under fire from Councilmember Bob Holden for dismissing the community’s input as to the workings of the plan.

Holden, who penned a letter to Queens DOT Commissioner Nicole Garcia Friday, argues that the DOT is not paying attention to residents who have been calling on the DOT to preserve parking spaces by not putting the docking stations on the roadway.

The DOT announced February that Citi Bike was coming to the Middle Village/Maspeth area this summer and released a map that included 52 station locations, with as many as 34 stations to be installed on the street—likely to take as many as 100 parking spaces. The other 18 stations/docks planned are to be on sidewalks.

The Juniper Park Civic Association (JPCA), a local civic group, was alarmed by the DOT’s plan and the potential loss of parking. The organization, with the help of Holden, came up with a detailed proposal that called for the relocation of the 34 station/ docks planned to be placed in the streets to avoid any loss of parking.

The DOT notified Holden and the JPCA on June 22 that it had reviewed the organization’s suggestions and would make changes to seven of the stations—but the remainder of the plan would remain in place. (click for JPCA proposal and DOT response)

“I ask you to revisit your rejection of the Juniper Park Civic Association’s suggestions…,” Holden wrote. “Your response to our community’s suggestions seems dismissive, to say the least. Sadly, this is not a surprise.”

The DOT, in a letter written by Garcia to Holden on June 22, said it “took a hard look at each suggestion and where feasible incorporated changes into the updated plan.”

Christina Wilkinson, secretary of the Juniper Civic Association who drafted the proposal, said that the Maspeth/Middle Village community simply cannot afford to lose parking.

“We are a transit desert, and many people rely on vehicles,” Wilkinson said. “We don’t want residents and business owners looking for parking to be inconvenienced.”

“We want Citi Bike, but in a way that enhances our neighborhoods.”

The association’s plan would comprise of 43 stations in total, down from the DOT’s 52.

Wilkinson said that she put the plan together based on her knowledge of the area and after researching the DOT’s Citi Bike guidelines. She said her goal was to preserve parking spaces while making the bike share program a success.

Holden said that the DOT has not listened to local residents who he says know the area best.

“It is greatly frustrating to repeatedly meet with the DOT and have civic leaders and residents offer sensible solutions, only to be turned down each time,” Holden wrote. “The Queens DOT makes a show of community meetings but is indifferent or even hostile to real community input.”

“The options suggested by the JCPA seem very reasonable, well thought out and worth exploring.”

The JCPA’s plan calls for the elimination of 11 of the roadside stations. Wilkinson said many are not needed since the area isn’t as densely populated as other New York neighborhoods.

The DOT, however, said that the 11 were needed to ensure “equal access to the bike share network.” The DOT typically aims to have a station every few blocks within a coverage district. The idea is to have a station within a 3-to-5-minute walk from one another.

The DOT rejected about 15 other suggestions—that involve moving the stations to the sidewalk– on the basis that tree pits or fire hydrants were in the way or the sites weren’t big enough. However, Wilkinson argues the Citi Bike docks are modular and the size of the docks can vary according to the space.

So much for the city's claim of transportation equity, at least they are not being shy about the spite racks anymore.

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

The War on cars and the middle class continues !

Anonymous said...

Good. The “community” consisted of Robert Holden and a few of his cronies.

Anonymous said...

Nazi Bike Zealots !

Anonymous said...

Someone named Anonymous said: "Good. The “community” consisted of Robert Holden and a few of his cronies."

The community consisted of Robert Holden and thousands of his constituents. Can you prove your statement? I can prove mine... He was elected to represent his constituents, so far he's doing a fine job of it.

Anonymous said...

This area had a good run as a middle class suburban enclave in NYC.

Anonymous said...

“The Juniper Park civic association “ was elected by thousands of constituent’s? Sure.
Why does this Middle Village mafia have any say on what happens in Maspeth or Woodside?

Anonymous said...

@Good. The “community” consisted of Robert Holden and a few of his cronies.

Says TA commie with his rich capitalist sponsors financing his sorry ass.

Anonymous said...

@“ Says TA commie with his rich capitalist sponsors financing his sorry ass.”
What have you got against capitalists?
Take a hike “TA Commie” drone!

Anonymous said...

I don't mind ordinary citizens on bikes, but delivery bikes should be licensed, especially those with a hidden motor in the hub of their rear wheel and a battery pack under their seat. THe most popular add on motor is made by Bafang. What a buch of bafungulants!

Anonymous said...

@“ Nazi Bike Zealots !”
Not enough cars for you Adolf?

Anonymous said...

@Not enough cars for you Adolf?

Says TA Commie, Adolf. With his rich sponsors financing his sorry ass.
Any info on the Anonymous donor with $100K dumped on assholes like you?

Anonymous said...

What have you got against capitalists?

Says the punk who complains about free market.
Go pound sand Adolf :)

Anonymous said...

@"Says TA Commie, Adolf. With his rich sponsors financing his sorry ass.
Any info on the Anonymous donor with $100K dumped on assholes like you?"

Did your nurse forget to give you your medication this morning? Again ?

TA Commie said...

"Any info on the Anonymous donor with $100K dumped on assholes like you?"

No, but if you do find out, please give them my correct bank account #.
Thanks.

Anonymous said...

@“ Says the punk who complains about free market.”

Excuse me, I never complained about something that never existed and never will. It’s like complaining about God or the devil, as they never existed either.
And I’m not a punk either. The only punks around here were the Ramones, and they were great. But you wouldn’t know, as you’re not even from Queens. The nearest thing you got is Pussy Riot .
Sad …