Carpooling's Not Just a Good Idea ... It's the Law

by Roggie McFadden

NEW YORK -- December 18, 2002 -- If a scheduled transit strike had taken effect on December 16, New Yorkers would have been required to have four occupants in their car to gain access to, or escape from, Manhattan.

The strike by public transit employees was to halt service on subways and buses. City officials under Mayor Michael Bloomberg were about to impose these strict carpooling requirements because they feared already swelled roads being injected with even more bulky traffic that would threaten to burst the freeway system like a ripened pimple.

Mayor Bloomberg was able to bear this bitter news with the skill of a jester. While chumming up with journalists, Bloomberg said he was gonna set an example to the citizens of the Big Apple during the NYC Movement Crisis by riding a bike to work.

Mr. Bloomberg said that he would buy a brand new bicycle for the occasion, something many New Yorkers will not be able to afford considering the incredible new taxes just levied by the "Republican" mayor. It's unclear if the millionaire mayor has ever riden a bike before, or whether some hi-tech training wheels may be in order to ease his commute.

The 18.5% increase on property tax approved by Mayor Bloomberg is the largest increase in the city's history. Will New Yorkers grin and bear restricted freedom of movement and these high taxes? If the grinning, bike-riding Mayor has his way, they won't have much choice.

From Wilshire Gazette (January 2003)

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