Mayor Smiley got his way, announcing in a press release that the South Water Street bike lane removal using Safe Streets for All grant money. However, it won’t be as immediate as initially announced. Responding to community pressure, he has decided first to construct one by the sidewalk and green area. Then, in 2025, remove the on-street one, making room for another vehicle lane and additional parking spaces. Notably, bike advocates and even the local councilperson who rallied the opposition celebrated, lauding it as “A victory for organizing!”
In some sense, it was a victory. If the community hadn’t spoken up, the bike lane would have been stripped some time ago without any alternatives. On the surface, this appears as though the community’s voice was heard. Making such a difference should be celebrated; after all, people could be incentivized if they believe their voices are being recognized. Moreover, by giving Smiley credence, you may build a better relationship and motivate him to reconsider his actions in the future.
However, despite the encouraging appearance, it does not accurately represent reality.
Truly, the mayor made out with way more than he initially wanted. Instead of abruptly removing the bike lane and risking mass protest and discontent by the entire community, he’s found a more clever approach: taking it slow and pitting the community against one another. Rather than a sudden drastic change, he’s instead chipping away, and by doing so, he inevitably accomplishes the same result with less resistance. As this happens, the narrative shifts to questioning why bicyclists are inconveniencing and putting pedestrians and families in danger, advocating for completely removing the bike lane.
All the while, he’s doing this as the very same people who were against his actions cheer him on.
Even continually making concessions to foster a relationship with Smiley is nothing more than a ruse, allowing him to get what he wants without meaningful trade-offs. By endorsing Smiley’s alternative path to the same outcome, you inadvertently granted him more leeway for when he decides to do away with more public goods in the future.
In left-wing politics and advocacy circles, this is often problematic. In a sentence, being blindly optimistic, playing both sides, and trying to negotiate with republican idealists like Smiley stifles progress. We cannot hide behind smiling faces and continue pretending, only to be “surprised” when the inevitable consequences hit. So, when considering our future, let’s recognize who we’re dealing with: an individual who has demonstrated he does not operate in good faith and would rather indulge in self-interest.
It should also go without saying that Smiley’s plan remains a farce. Not only does he misuse federal grant money by misappropriating Safe Streets for All funding under the guise of safety, he doesn’t even know how this bike trail will be constructed; even his spokesperson admitted not knowing if the existing sidewalk would get smaller and that “It’s up to the engineers.” The area is already tight and houses a thin strip of green area that’s vital for the river, animals, and people. Just as important to note, can we even trust these developers who have continually inadequately designed our infrastructure—the very same people who put cars first at the expense of everything else?
This period has yielded important lessons. First, we must be careful with whom we support in our elections. The mayor and his supportive council members were voted in accordingly. Secondly, throughout these times of trouble, let’s accept reality instead of being overly optimistic. In doing so, we stay proactive and turn up the aggression: Protest—if necessary, even at his house; pressure city councilors to pass Goncalves’ ordinance that would halt Smiley’s actions, deny Smiley’s dubious budget items, and hound lawmakers to tell the mayor that there will be ramifications if he doesn’t listen to the community. Lastly, if we want real change, play like the mayor does, not rigid and democratic like we’ve continued to do.