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Borough President candidate John Luisi best for Staten Island--and its cyclists
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My first introduction to John Luisi, Democratic candidate for Staten Island Borough President, was not at a fund-raiser or rally, but outside Borough Hall on the evening of a group bicycle ride to Ralph's Italian Ices in early September.
I'd contacted him concerning his plans for the future of cycling on the island. Mr. Luisi assured me that I would be hard pressed to find a candidate more committed to cycling. He then invited me to the ride--the purpose of which was to promote cycling as an enjoyable and practical means to get around the island. I was soon to learn that, while strongly advocating for bicycle infrastructure and more sustainable transit, his past and present actions staunchly backed up both his words and character..jpg)
Ich bin ein radfahrer.
Sure, current BP James Molinaro received Transportation Alternatives' “Friend of City Cyclists” award—way back in 2003. During his first term. Reasons why consisted of “a new bike lane on Arlene Street, the continuation of free bicycle access on the Staten Island Ferry and the DOT's examination of Whitehall Ferry Terminal as a future location for secure bicycle parking.”
The continuation of free bicycle access on the ferry? I would certainly hope so. Charging cyclists would bring about a devastating downturn in the still-fledgling numbers of Staten Islanders who ride to work in the city. Consideration of Manhattan's Whitehall Terminal as a location for bicycle parking? A fine idea by the DOT; it's a shame that this notion did not expand past an examination or extend to Staten Island's St. George Terminal. A new bike lane on Arlene Street? The lane that's only a mile long, crosses over Victory Boulevard (a congested arterial), and connects to absolutely nothing? SI's bike map hasn't changed much since then, save for a few miles on Bay Street and Jefferson Avenue designated as “shared lanes” but have made only small strides in improving cyclist safety.
Since then, Molinaro nixed plans for the Amundsen Trailway in 2005, a 56-mile network of bicycle lanes fully funded, completely designed, and long lobbied-after, in favor of continuing abandoned plans for Richmond and Willowbrook Parkways. Construction of these highways would not only slice up the Greenbelt, but was cautioned against by three different studies concluding that the roadways would do nothing to alleviate traffic congestion. He also audaciously defended hotheaded motorists this past summer with his erroneous claim, “We have more bike lanes than we have traffic lanes. Do we really need them?” regarding the assault of a cyclist by an impatient driver.
While Luisi was an avid cyclist in his youth and completed several long-distance rides to Montauk and Albany before the age of 18, he has also served as a board member of the Staten Island Bicycling Association, Five Boro Bike Tour Marshal, and active Transportation Alternatives member. He not only helped design the 2010 Olympic Bicycle Road Racing Course on SI, but also volunteered as a consultant to Guy Molinari's Borough Presidency in designing the Amundsen Trailway itself. He defended bike lanes and paths back in 2004 during his first bid for BP.
Luisi is also responsible for the Greenmarket being brought to St. George, and is working to get not only more businesses and artistic spaces incorporated within the ferry terminal, but to also increase tourism by offering bike rentals and encouraging waterfront travel. He supports the revival of the North and West Shore Railways and the creation of the South Shore Ferry. He has the support of the Working Families Party and the Citizens' Union.
The NY Bicycle Transportation Examiner endorses John Luisi for Staten Island Borough President. Vote on November 3.
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