Brooklyn Boro Prez Carries Tune, Slams Mayor Over Bike Lanes
NEW YORK (CBS 2) -- For the first time this holiday season, Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz is sending out Christmas cards with a message.
It's a message Mayor Michael Bloomberg might not like.
And so it has begun -- "a fist-in-the velvet glove" Christmas card Markowitz has been sent to nearly 7,000 of the city's movers and shakers, including Bloomberg and Department of Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan.
"Lanes fit for Fido and lanes made for lovers; Hikers and bikers and significant others," Markowitz sang to CBS 2's Marcia Kramer. "Strollers and schleppers and skaters and joggers; Holiday lanes for all the egg noggers; Lets not forget cars it's getting inane; Welcome to Brooklyn the borough of lanes."
While it's lighthearted, the sentiments behind it are no joke. Markowitz is furious that the city installed a double bike lane along Prospect Park West. He said it's an anti-car attempt to re-engineer the city.
"There's no question about it. They will do anything they can to make it difficult to own a car and use a car. That's the objective. That's the social agenda," Markowitz said.
And so his Christmas card spoofs the mayor's lane-o-mania by picturing Prospect Park West with one teeny tiny lane for cars, along with lanes for bikes, lovers, sitting, holiday only, and walking.
"When the horn honks, when the dog bites, when the bikers stray, I simply remember my favorite lanes and then just say 'oy vey,'" Markowitz sang.
Sadik-Khan took a light hearted approach to the dig, noting, tongue in cheek, "The borough president's holiday card clearly shows some improvement in reindeer traffic compared to last year's card."
"If this prompts the city administration to review their current policy on bicycle paths in this city, then the car has served its purpose," Markowitz said.
The mayor's office admitted that it did get the card, but maybe in keeping with the spirit of the season it had no comment.
Markowitz said he does wonder why there is no bike lane on East 79th Street leading into Central Park. He said there should be. Maybe, it's because Mayor Bloomberg lives there?
