NBBL Gloats About Bike Lane Scrap, while I 8-Ball Their Asses

As you may have read in my last PPW West Bike Lane post, The Department of Transportation took blame for the scrapping of the Plaza Street bike lane, explaining that "the agency will not install the new lane this year due to 'the scope' of a bigger Grand Army Plaza project, which includes a new stop light and an expansion of the farmer’s market area."

But now, Neighbors for Better Bullshit Bike Lanes is actually taking credit for the DOT's scrap of the project. The two-way lane was going to be part of a complete overhaul to Grand Army Plaza and an essential connector to the hotly-contested PPW bike lanes.  FIPS reader Doug made us aware of this Daily News article concerning the Plaza Street scrap. His accompanying message was also spot on:

Hope you enjoy this lovely quote from Louise Hainline, NBBL president, regarding the Plaza Street bike lane plans that were scrapped after her group's lawsuit.  She's not even pretending to be 'for better bike lanes' anymore.

Let us watch NBBL President gloat a little: 

If we had not done what we’ve been doing with the bike lanes, they probably would have moved ahead. Cars now have trouble getting by when someone is dropping off or picking up, and it would have been impossible (with a two-way lane).

Unfortunately, she's probably right on both counts, and Park Slope Neighbors President Eric McClure agrees: 

It was really a matter of the fallout from Prospect Park West and the political pushback there that caused DOT to withdraw the plans. 

DOT spokesman Seth Solomonow said that the figurative train was moving so fast that something had to give: 

Considering the scope of the changes we were already making in Grand Army Plaza we didn’t include changes to Plaza Street as part of this year’s project. We will continue to work with the community on ways to improve bike access at this location. 

Ok, sure. So then the question is: who to believe? I decided the only way to properly solve this was to consult the FIPS oracle, my Magic 8 Ball, who has been feeling a little neglected lately. 

JCHARLES: 8 ball, how's things? 

MAGIC 8 BALL: My sources say no.

JC: Right, I forgot you can't really converse, can you? 

M8B: Most likely.

JC: Ok, enough of your nonsense. Tell me: is the NBBL lawsuit behind the DOT scrapping of the Plaza Street bike lane? 

M8B: Ask again later.

JC: Really? You can't give me a direct answer now? Don't answer that. Have the DOT become a bunch of p*ssies?

M8B: Signs point to yes.

JC: Good, I think you're warmed up now. So then I'LL ASK AGAIN... Is the NBBL lawsuit against the PPW bike lanes behind the DOT scrapping the Plaza Street Bike Lane?

M8B: Yes, definitely.

JC: Are there too many annoying acronyms in this post?

M8B: It is decidedly so.

Agreed.