The War on Cars Political Courage with Brad Lander
Sep 9, 2025
Brad Lander, New York City Comptroller and former City Council member, shares insights on bike lanes and urban advocacy. He reflects on his political journey, particularly his defense of the Prospect Park West bike lane, as a pivotal moment in his career. Lander discusses how courage and coalition-building are essential not only for urban safety but also in the broader fight against fascism. He touches on the Reckless Driver Accountability Act and the need for community solidarity in improving road safety.
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Coalitions Need Opposition And Positive Vision
- Broad coalitions matter to block authoritarian threats and require both shared opposition and positive vision.
- Lander frames coalitions around love of the city and shared public goods like parks, schools, and streets.
Riding Into A Cross-Endorsement Moment
- Brad Lander rode the Prospect Park West bike lane with Zohran Mamdani during their cross-endorsement week and appeared together on Colbert.
- The moment highlighted neighborhood pride and the campaign's friendly, collaborative tone.
First Big Fight: Prospect Park West
- In his first months on the council Brad faced fierce opposition over the new Prospect Park West bike lane from powerful neighborhood figures.
- He leaned into clear explanations, small design compromises, and persistence until the lane proved safer and popular.
