Fenty being criticised for "bike lanes"

According to Colbert I. King

In questions submitted by the audience, and in barbs hurled at the mayor by lesser-known mayoral candidates, three expressions of derision directed toward Fenty were used almost interchangeably: "The Washington Post" (which endorsed him), "dog parks" and "bike lanes" (both of which he champions). These are three thinly disguised code words for white influence. They also reflect a mind-set that holds that the city's dwindling black majority is being kicked to the curb.

Which is odd, because Fenty hasn't done much more to support bike lanes than Mayor Williams did - which is not meant as a criticism, the bike plan was approved by Williams and under Fenty the action agenda was defined.

Are we to believe that Gray will be against bike lanes?

Comments

[IMGoph]

many of gray's supporters are, yes, and they're projecting their disdain for what they see as a lifestyle that's completely foreign to them onto their selected candidate.

[Scott F]

"Bike lanes" represents white influence??? I see people of color riding bikes all the time. If there's a racial aspect to that it's news to me.

Maybe the issue is where the bike lanes have been placed - disproportionately, it seems, in relatively affluent sections of town.

[Holding My Nose and Voting for Fenty]

Bike lanes, dog parks and yoga studios are code words for livability for some and gentrification for others. Gray may not feel this way himself, but the constituents he's talking too in his campaign definitely fall in the latter camp. Couple that with both (rumored) private as well as public statements against bike lanes and its pretty clear than non-motorized transportation will not register as a priority of his administration. It's sad given the progress that has been made the past few years.

[bikermark]

I think I just became a single issue voter. I'm not surprised that Gray's running a blacker-than-thou campaign; I'm just disappointed.

[Michael H.]

Unfortunately a significant percentage of the voting electorate in D.C. associates cycling with "being white" and "being wealthy", despite the facts. Marion Barry has used these sorts of stereotypes, misconceptions and racial politics to great effect during his career.

There are many community programs in the area that reach out to all groups, including the recent ACHIEVE triathlon camp for "underprivileged" children where the kids were given bikes and helmets and provided with swim/bike/run coaching. They had a sprint triathlon for the camp participants a couple weeks ago.

That camp is just a start but hopefully it will help to convince more of the D.C. voters that cycling is not a "white-only thing." Heck, I'm not white either and no one has told me I'm not allowed to ride outside. (Well, except for the jerk car drivers who let their aggressive driving do the "talking" for them. But that's a general anti-cyclist attitude.)

[asuka]

More divisive race-bating from the Gray camp. He'd rather say what he's against (Chancellor Rhee, the continued reformation of the school system, and public and alternative forms of transportation - he tried to kill the streetcars as well) than what he actually supports. Its all very reminiscent of the bad old days of DC politics.

[Fred]

This kind of rhetoric is very unfortunate - especially given the obesity rates in the African-American community.

[Michael H.]

Here are some stats from a recent CDC health survey, as reported in USA Today:

Obesity rates are higher among: Blacks (37%), especially black women (42%), than whites (25%) or Hispanics (31%).

At the same time, D.C. had the 2nd lowest overall obesity rate, 19.7%, just after Colorado at 18.6%. In nine (mostly Southern) states, over 30% of the population is obese.

So are the Gray supporters pro-obesity?

[Eric]

I found the Colbert King article pretty disturbing. Normally he is the one to call this type of us vs them nonsense for what it is, but I fear his article has done nothing more than fan the flames of that attitude. It's become pretty clear to me that Fenty does not see all the good work being done out of the departments of transportation and planning as a political asset. If he were smart he would say, "Look, I am concerned about a health, vibrant, economically competitive, and environmentally friendly city and that's why I believe in transit, safer walking and biking, better schools, less crime, etc. Under my leadership the city ranks near to top on a whole host of indicators of livibility and my adminstration would continue to turn DC into the world-class city that DC residents deserve."

My guess is that he would gain more votes than he'd lose.

[Jonathan Krall]

One of the first things thing I liked about the Wilson Bridge Trail, which connects Alexandria to P G County, is that it is less "white" than most other trails I ride on. If the trails exist, the local population will use them no matter what color they are.

I agree with Eric and hope Fenty increases his emphasis on recreation and active transportation facilities in and for all of DC.