Archive for June, 2009

Cycling, walking though New York City easier thanks to Transportation Alternatives

June 15th, 2009 by Buddy Evans

Times Square traffic ban is the result of behind-the-scenes advocacy

By Buddy Evans, President of Big Bucks Auto™

Contestants of the 5th Annual Commuter Race

You might notice while walking through New York City, the buzz has centered around Times Square traffic – or, more accurately, the lack of vehicle traffic.

NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg’s decision to temporarily cease car traffic on a few selected blocks of Broadway in Times Square is certainly a win for pedestrians and fans of city cycling. I talk in detail about the social implications of such a move in a recent article on BigBucksAuto.com, “What Do Times Square Street Closures in New York City Mean for American Car Culture?”

Pedestrian, bicycle advocacy group a major player

At Big Bucks Auto – long a proponent of addressing traffic concerns and investigation transportation alternatives – we have decided to step into the fray by providing support and drawing attention to a group that has been championing pedestrian and bicycle advocacy for decades.

Since 1973, Transportation Alternatives has been working tirelessly to “reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.”

Bicycle Advocacy and more

While this new rash of publicity over the Times Square traffic ban has raised awareness of the ubiquitous motor vehicle in New York City, Transportation Alternatives has been advocating relatively behind-the-scenes to change our approach to getting from point A to B:

“T.A. seeks to change New York City’s transportation priorities to encourage and increase non-polluting, quiet, city-friendly travel and decrease–not ban–private car use. We seek a rational transportation system based on a ‘Green Transportation Hierarchy,’ which gives preference to modes of travel based on their benefits and costs to society. To achieve our goals, T.A. works in five areas: Bicycling, Walking and Traffic Calming, Car-Free Parks, Safe Streets and Sensible Transportation.”

City cycling vs. Times Square traffic

The folks at Transportation Alternatives have become the authoritative source for information on modes of transportation other than single-occupancy vehicles and the leading advocates for changes in public policy.

For a more anecdotal example of how Transportation Alternatives spreads the word, consider the group’s fifth annual commuter race, held in late May. Three contestants commuted from Sunnyside, Queens to Columbus Circle – a 4.2 mile Queens-to-midtown scramble.

With three contestants each using a different mode of transportation, Rachel Myers made the rush-hour trek in a shade over 20 minutes. Dan Hendrick showed up about 15 minutes later and Willie Thompson almost 15 minutes after that.
It might surprise you to find that Myers was on a bicycle, Hendrick on the subway and last-place Thompson was in a cab (and $30 poorer).

Help Transportation Alternatives promote cycling, mass transit, walking through the city

So, with a simple event, Transportation Alternatives provided irrefutable evidence that the most environmentally-friendly, most healthy mode of travel was also the fastest.

It is because of this work and the mission of Transportation Alternatives that Big Bucks Auto supports their advocacy efforts.
The folks at Transportation Alternatives say it best: “Every day, policy makers and journalists turn to T.A. as the authority on cyclists and pedestrian safety. Why? Because we’re making a difference by changing the face of New York’s streets and improving the lives of cyclists, walkers and transit users.”

Buddy Evans is the Vice President of Big Bucks Auto™, one of the largest and most reputable used car buyers in the Tri State Area. Buddy has authored several automotive articles and Big Bucks Auto™ eNewsletters about various topics related to the automotive industry. Visit Buddy and his team at Big Bucks Auto™ to sell your used car or get a free car appraisal. Call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-442-8257.

Learn more about why you should choose Big Bucks Auto to buy your car and call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-442-8257.

Tags: bicycle advocacy, city cycling, transportation alternative, walking new york city
Posted in Car Free Culture, Cars and Health, Cars and the Environment, Transportation Alternatives | No Comments »

What Do Times Square Street Closures in New York City Mean for American Car Culture?

June 1st, 2009 by Buddy Evans

Driving in New York City just got more difficult thanks to Times Square street closures and car free days

By Buddy Evans, President of Big Bucks Auto™

American car culture took a hit recently when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that a portion of Times Square – a span of Broadway from 42nd to 47th streets – would be closed to vehicle traffic.

Some claim that the New York City Street closures leave car culture intact – not to mention the spirit of Times Square

New York Times columnist Nicolai Ouroussoff reported that “the soul of Times Square remains intact.” New York Times “Wheels” columnist Richard Chang sung a similar tune, writing that the street closures did little to affect driving in New York City.

On the other end of the spectrum, blogger Steve Rosenbaum suggested on “The Huffington Post” that Bloomberg’s “shocking” car-free move on Times Square amounts to a battle – and while pedestrians benefit, it’s the bicyclists that are winning.

Mixed reviews on NYC street closures and the effect on driving in New York City

The alleged effect of the new Times Square street closures for those few very touristy blocks has also come down square on the fence. Media outlets throughout New York City and across the globe quoted out-of-towners in traditional “oohhh” and “ahhhh” fashion. Fleets of delivery drivers were not to be ignored – just as many were quoted blaming the new car-free zone as a time-waster, money-drainer and all-around inconvenience.

Let’s not allow the details muddy the moral of the story here – a country with a car culture so thick you can taste it just shut down a few of the most bustling blocks in its busiest city. Voluntary street closures that make driving in New York City harder and bicycle and foot traffic easier…well, that’s a big deal.

This isn’t a major shift in American car culture

It is a small movement towards getting people to think about life without a car. Sure, tourists sitting in beach chairs in the middle of Broadway is still a novelty, but Bloomberg’s message is simple – American car culture is not some sacrosanct sector of our collective conscience.

The infrastructure of our nation is certainly designed around an American car culture, but the recent street closures in New York City serve as a reminder – even among some of the most traffic-saturated blocks on Earth, you can preserve a little bit pedestrian peace.

Times Square street closures prompt action on driving in New York City

In an effort to put our money where our mouth is, Big Bucks Auto is throwing our support behind the New York City group, Transportation Alternatives – whose mission is to “reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.”

We’ve written extensively on issues affecting American car culture in New York City – from the Benefits of Riding a Bike and the Looming Average Cost of a Car to Air Pollution & Heath Risks.

If you feel moved enough to make a move towards this car-free culture, check out some of the ways you can sell your car with Big Bucks Auto.