Need: Citi Bike for five boroughs

Manhattan: As Citi Bike ridership continues to soar, the bike share system is successfully doing what it was meant to do for tens of thousands of riders each day: provide New York City commuters with a time- and cost-efficient transit option for the last mile of their journeys, while also giving tourists a fun way to see the city like a local (“New Yorkers mostly use Citi Bikes to cut time from their commutes,” March 15).

But with 83% of trips starting and ending in Manhattan, the system doesn't reach all New Yorkers. It should.

Now that Mayor de Blasio has professed his support for a five-borough bike share, it is time for the city to follow up by investing in Citi Bike for the Bronx, Staten Island, South Brooklyn, and everywhere in between.

Our own polling shows that New Yorkers overwhelmingly think Citi Bike should become a five-borough bike share program, and that the city must also invest more in street redesigns to make sure our network of protected bike lanes keeps pace with Citi Bike expansion.

Now that bike share is established as part of our transportation system, the city must invest to guarantee access for every community. Paul Steely White, executive director

Transportation Alternatives Bronx: Constantly raising fares, while delivering the same mediocre service — that is the MTA's position of privilege. I would gladly welcome price increases if it meant I could ride trains and buses not caked with dirt and littered with fast-food containers. I would gladly go into my pocket again, if it meant that every 10 to 15 minutes buses were guaranteed to show up. There are bus and train lines in the Bronx that should be privatized. Private companies would have more incentive to provide clean compartments and reliable service. Good service, not bad service, should mean more revenue. I have waited too long for service on the No. 2 train to improve, for too many years for the platform of the D train at Fordham Road to be cleaned properly. A private company might be motivated to power wash the tiles and platforms and provide continuous clean up throughout the day. It might provide an adequate number of benches and interesting displays for the public to enjoy. Train tracks and bus routes need to be opened up to private companies.We need more competition and less government entitlement. Brooklyn: I share the Daily News editorial board’s healthy skepticism about the motivation behind the “Fearless Girl” statue and also its opinion that it should become a permanent fixture (“A statue with limitations,” March 19). The statue’s significance has taken on a life above and beyond its creators’ intentions. A young girl who sees it and feels inspired and empowered by its imagery has no idea of its corporate provenance; nor should its origins dilute the resonance of its message. Monroe, N.J.: To Assemblywoman Deborah Glick, I have a better idea (“New Yorkers who don’t vote would pay $10 fine under assemblywoman’s bill,” March 17). Instead of fining citizens for not voting, let’s fine the lawmakers who don’t vote on bills that are up for consideration. Make it $1,000, maybe then they’ll do the job you were elected for. Stop being a sore loser and get on with life. So happy she doesn’t represent me.John Londonderry, N.H.: As a Navy veteran and a strong supporter of our military, I commend President Trump for initiating a program to rebuild our military with a defense budget increase of $54 billion. Our military has dramatically shrunk and been neglected in recent times. Although we have increased the capabilities of our military through technological advances, we have downsized our forces and have not adequately replaced worn-out equipment. Trump should continue to rebuild our military so we can meet the military challenges in the world, preserve our national security, and keep the peace. Dumont, N.J.: It’s March 2017 and this is what the American people are stuck with: A useless, partisan Democratic Party that in 2010 was in charge and passed Obamacare, with zero Republican support. It was unpopular back then and has turned out — seven years later — to be the equivalent of a diarrhea and vomit sandwich. Mmmm, yummy. Now, seven years later, the Republican Party is in charge, and the equally partisan Republicans, who vowed to get rid of the Obamacare disaster, can’t even get out of their own way and pass something slightly better than the diarrhea and vomit sandwich the incompetent Democrats stuck us with seven years ago. I really don’t know who’s worse — the hacks on the left or the hacks on the right. Either way, I’m tired of diarrhea and vomit. Bronx: Hey, Rudy Giuliani, where are you? You always voiced support for our need for increased security in these perilous times. Are you now afraid to speak up against your idol’s plan to decrease funding to combat terrorism, finally abandoning all your principles in your last years to become Trump’s sycophant? Manhattan: A white supremacist killed a black man in New York City, but don’t expect President Tramp to make a statement condemning it. After all, he has a white supremacist in his cabinet. If Timothy Caughman’s killer were Mexican or Muslim, President Tramp would be outraged and tweet it to the world. President Tramp is not concerned about a homegrown white terrorist. Brooklyn: Shaun King, the worst columnist ever published, states we should not honor any President who owned slaves (“No President who ever owned human beings should be honored,” March 15). How about religious leaders? Mohammed owned slaves and the Apostle Paul supported slavery. No more honors for either! How can anyone respect religions which were founded by or supported by slavers? Brooklyn: So, Assemblyman Dov Hikind says he does not want his tax dollars spent on a public library speaker giving a series of lectures contrary to Hikind's beliefs (“State pol rebukes Brooklyn Public Library for holding lecture series,” March 19). Well, I also do not want my tax dollars spent paying Hikinds assemblyman salary. He is the same man who saw absolutely nothing wrong with putting blackface make up on, a huge Afro wig, a giant gold chain and a basketball jersey to dress up for Purim. Cambria Heights: To Voicer Rose Johnson: I have been reading, with a great deal of amusement, your exchanges with Sonia Valentin. While I learned long, long ago that you cannot get through to those with such deeply entrenched racist views, I must comment on your statement regarding statewide literacy testing (for teachers or anyone else). Did it occur to you that the majority of these tests are designed to ensure the failure and/or exclusion of certain groups? Studies have shown time and time again that this is the case. Why not at least acknowledge that this is at least a possibility. By the Dan Rivoli way, this exchange regarding entertainment awards shows is yet another indication of how pathetically and willfully unaware of what is going on all around us in our world, we as a society, have become. Sad, very sad. Manhattan: Allow me to jump on the bandwagon in praise of Daily News delivery people. I’d like to give a shout-out to Mr. Lane. He’s been my delivery person for years now, and I never, ever fail to get a paper in the morning (usually no later than 5:15), even if it means searching outside for the lump under the snow, it’s out there. Thank you, Mr. Lane, for never disappointing me. Brooklyn: I would like to thank the three plow drivers from the Sanitation Department who picked me up when I fell on the ice on E70 Street and Ave V at 8 a.m. on Mar 15. They made sure I was alright and brought me home. I can’t thank them enough. Williston Park, L.I.: Voicer Robbin Taylor’s reflection on Ringling Bros and Barney and Bailey Circus ends with, “I will miss Ringling Bros.” I suggest that if Taylor truly misses the circus so much, she should go to Madison Square Garden or the Barclays Center when the Knicks or Nets are playing. She can see five clowns on the court at once.