More New Yorkers wheely like the city’s growing network of bike lanes — even if they’re not widely used.
A Quinnipiac University poll released today found that 59 percent of 1,234 registered voters questioned said the paths are good because bike riding is healthy while 35 percent described them as bad because they left less room for cars.
That was a seven-point swing from the last poll on May 12, when the results were 56-39 percent in favor of the two-wheel lanes.
The numbers were strong enough for Transportation Alternatives, the leading biking advocacy group, to proclaim “massive citywide support” for the city’s controversial initiative.
“Despite months of misinformation and fake controversy, a growing majority of New Yorkers support these street safety improvements,” declared Paul Steely White, the TA’s executive director.
But the same folks who gave a thumbs up to the bike lanes, also reported not seeing too many riders using them.
Only 29 percent said they were “widely used,” while 42 percent said they were not. The rest didn’t know.
In other poll results:
* WalMart, which is battling to open its first store here, seems to be making some headway. By a 63-32 percent margin, voters said city officials should allow the giant chain to set up shop. Two months ago the margin was 57-36 percent.
Sixty nine percent said they would shop at a Wal-mart near them, even though the powerful national retailer’s low prices hurt smaller businesses.
“Even in union households, New Yorkers say a bargain’s a bargain,” observed poll director Maurice Carroll.
* By an overwhelming 75 to 20 percent, New York voters reject charging admission to the 9/11 museum. A $25 fee has been proposed.
* Mayor Bloomberg is going against the tide of public opinion in pressing for reductions in pension and health care costs.
Charging workers more for their pensions was rejected by a 49-38 percent margin; charging them extra for health care benefits went down 58-32 percent.
“He’s got a heavy lift,” said Carroll.
The questions about the pension and health benefits did not indicate that Bloomberg only wants to reduce benefits for future employees, not current ones who are protected under state law.