Episode Details

Fight for Our Lives w/ Doug Gordon

Season 2 Episode 61 Published 5 years ago

Description

In this episode, I connect with Doug "Mr. BrooklynSpoke" Gordon, one of three co-hosts of The War on Cars Podcast, for a conversation about the battle to create safer streets and more livable communities for everyone.

You can pretty much count on it - anytime there's a proposal to install a bike lane or pedestrian crossing that might inconvenience or slow down motor vehicle traffic in any amount, no matter how small, there's a chorus of screams from a vocal minority of haters that this is clearly evidence of a vicious "A War on Cars" most likely being waged upon an unsuspecting and helpless public by the "All-Powerful Bicycle Lobby".

It would be such silly laughable bluster if it wasn't so important and serious that we take immediate strides in this fight to create safer more vibrant environments for everyone, including our most vulnerable roadway users, those walking, cycling, in wheelchairs, or even on scooters.

So in typical "tongue-in-cheek" New York style, when Doug and his co-hosts, Aaron Naparstek and Sarah Goodyear decided to launch a podcast, The War on Cars was a natural moniker to poke fun at the ridiculous rhetoric.

We dive "deep into the weeds" that these challenges represent, the progress being made, and how advocates make an impact in their own communities.

Additional & Helpful Links:

Landing Page for this Episode - access to photos and other fun stuff

The War of Cars Podcast

Brooklyn Spoke Media

Doug's Twitter Account - BrooklynSpoke and the original blog

The New Republic article by Doug about changes to our streets due to the pandemic

A recent The Daily News opinion piece by Doug about stopping the carnage on our streets

Transportation Alternatives - Streets for People organization

Streetsblog

Streetfilms

Brooklyn Bridge bike lane story