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8th Annual NYC Commuter Race Pits Bike Vs. Car Vs. MTA
By
John Del Signore
Published May 21, 2009
Modified May 21, 2009
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By
John Del Signore
Published May 21, 2009
Modified May 21, 2009
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Every year Transportation Alternatives holds a commuter race to Manhattan between a cyclist, a subway rider, and a motorist to promote the efficacy of cycling. And every year the cyclist wins. When will the gaming commission investigate T.A.? The only difference today between the outcome of last year's race was that this year the car commuter came in dead last, taking 47 minutes, 11 seconds to get from Sunnyside to Columbus Circle in a taxi. Coming in second was NYC transit rider Dan Hendrick, who crossed the finish line in 35 minutes, 16 seconds.
Bronx librarian Rachael Myers finished her 4.2 mile bicycle commute from Sunnyside in just 20 minutes, 15 seconds, giving her plenty of time to gloat before the losers straggled in: "As soon as I saw all the traffic backed up on the Queensboro Bridge, I knew this wasn't going to be a fair fight. I actually was able to finish a cup of coffee before anyone else made it to the finish line." Willie Thompson, a marketing specialist who took the yellow cab, said, "Anytime I'm in a hurry, I take a cab thinking it'll get me there the fastest. I can't believe I lost by 27 minutes today."
According to 2000 Census figures, New Yorkers have the longest commutes in the country, about 45 minutes. And Transportation Alternatives calculated the carbon footprint of each commute today: The bike produced zero emissions; the transit commute generated about one pound of CO2, and the gluttonous cab rider unleashed 6 lbs of CO2 (and paid a taxi fare of $20).
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2009
columbus circle
commuter
race
sunnyside
transportation alternatives
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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