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Opposites team up against gridlock

By Justin Rocket Silverman | amNewYork Staff Writer

December 12, 2006

Law-and-order conservatives and quasi-anarchist bicyclists don't agree on much, but in recent weeks both have found a common enemy in the cars and trucks that clog Manhattan's arteries.

They are urging the city to undertake a study of "congestion pricing," a system of charging motorists to use the busiest roads at peak hours.

"In preparing our report we worked with transportation groups, and it's my understanding this is pretty new thing," said Hope Cohen, a deputy director with the Manhattan Institute, the conservative think tank that advised the Giuliani administration. Last week, the institute released a study showing New Yorkers might be receptive to the idea of congestion pricing.

"Like all New Yorkers, bicycle advocates and conservative business groups want to get where they're going as quickly as possible," said Judy Ross of Times Up!, a pro-bicycling group that defends participants of the monthly Critical Mass bike rides. "We welcome the opportunity to work with enlightened business people."

The Manhattan Institute report, coupled with a new study by the pro-business Partnership for New York City showing traffic congestion costs the city $13 billion annually, show that the idea of congestion pricing no longer seems like just a liberal pipe dream.

"Any city that is serious about its efficiency is looking at congestion pricing," said Kathryn Wylde, president and chief executive of the partnership.

To be sure, advocates still face an uphill battle convincing politicians, especially those from the outer boroughs -- whose constituents would bear the brunt of any new driving fees. Parking garage owners and other business interests have set in motion a strong anti-congestion pricing lobby.

But in the pro-business, pro-development climate of the city, economic arguments could make the difference between having a congestion-pricing proposal squashed (as it was when Mayor Edward Koch tried in 1987) or having it considered in a city-backed study.

"This is the first time in my experience that there has been such a strong consensus between business and environmental groups," said Paul Steely White of advocacy group Transportation Alternatives.

"I think it signifies that this proposal makes a lot of sense, and should at least be studied further."