Submitted by Rita Popper, Jul 31, 2007 09:49

The information printed in the July 29th City Section of the New York Times article, "Fears of Interlopers on Wheels Rattle A Tranquil Street", published a statement by Molly Gordy, spokesperson for the Department Of Transportation that was erroneous. Molly Gordy was referring to E. 91st. St. between 1st and 2nd Avenues as a "play street" that the community was unwilling to give up to bicyclists. Our Lady of Good Counsel parochial closed East 91st St. between 1st and 2nd Ave. during lunch time recess and at 3:00 PM when the classes were dismissed. The school has been closed for three years and the street has not been designated a play street during this same time. How can the Department Of Transportation even consider understanding the ramifications of placing a bike path on E. 91st St. between 2nd and 3rd Avenues when they either deliberately "twisted" the correct information or don't understand the difference between a "play" street with designated hours for non-vehicular traffic to a street that has been closed to vehicular traffic for 35 years to accommodate  the elderly, handicapped residents and children that share a  bench lined street that is now threatened by speeding bicyclists on a steep hill? Community Board #8 offered the DOT an alternate route that protects both bicyclists and the community. There is more than one acceptable plan where bicyclists and the community's residents can co-exist without omnipresent potential hazards.  Rita Popper President Knickerbocker Plaza Tenants' Association David Rosenstein Founder Friends of Ruppert Park

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