Brooklyn Councilwoman Defends Citi Bike Stations On Landmark Blocks
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Just weeks before the Citi Bike share program is to begin rolling, some Brooklyn residents were up in arms Wednesday about bike racks placed in their brownstone neighborhoods.
As WCBS 880's Marla Diamond reported, in the Fort Greene and Clinton Hill neighborhoods, flyers were plastered along a Citi Bike station saying "Residential landmark blocks are not for advertising or commercial activity."
Brooklyn City Councilwoman Letitia James said that's unacceptable.
"And anyone who is defacing public property, including the use of bike racks, should cease and desist because they will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," James told Diamond.
Brooklyn Councilwoman Defends Citi Bike Stations On Landmark Blocks
Some residents have complained that the bike racks are ugly and don't belong in a landmark brownstone neighborhood. James said she understands those concerns but supports the bike share program.
"So the issue really is not the aesthetics. The issue is really the health benefits. We have one of the highest asthma rates in Fort Greene and we really need to do something to reduce the amount of car traffic in the neighborhood," said James.
She said she'll work with residents to ensure the bike racks are not blocking egress from buildings, but added that the racks do not violate the historic fabric of brownstone Brooklyn.
According to a local Brooklyn blog, the city's Landmarks Preservation Commission had not taken issue with the Citi Bike racks, as they are not considered permanent.
The long-delayed Citi Bike program is set to launch next month.
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