Last year, New York City Michael Blomberg announced his support for what is called a "congestion pricing" scheme in New York City's Manhattan. Yesterday the plan moved a step closer to fruition after the New York City Council approved the controversial idea, which now goes to the State Legislature and Governor. (who has said he supports it)
The plan would result in automobiles being charged $8 to drive into the highly congested areas below 86th Street . The market based theory, similar to a plan implemented years ago in London, would probably reduce auto traffic, estimated to be around 850 thousand cars daily, by around 20 percent according to most experts.
While a number of advocates of the plan offer various reasons for supporting less automobile traffic on the 35 square miles that make up Manhattan, those of us who ride a bike have additional reasons.
But, while NYC, with its amazing public transportation system allows such an idea serious consideration, would a similar scheme work elsewhere in the United States?
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