Transportation Alternatives’ press release on the naming of Janette Sadik-Khan as New York City’s new transportation commissioner doesn’t pull any punches when it comes to her predecessors:

Transportation Alternatives commends the Mayor on his appointment of Janette Sadik-Khan as the next Commissioner of the NYC DOT. His thoughtful and progressive appointment will usher in an era of cutting edge transportation planning.

Not only does Ms. Sadik-Khan have an impressive resume and a demonstrated will to manage–not merely accommodate–traffic, from her private sector work she has shown a commitment to explore the best practices solutions from around the world that will restore New York City’s competitive advantage in transportation planning. Given the Mayor’s new pro-transit sustainability plan, growing public outrage over street carnage and increasingly vociferous opposition to excessive traffic, Ms. Sadik-Khan’s appointment is a decisive statement that the City is committed to carrying out the transportation components of PlaNYC, which are essential to improve the mobility and quality of life of all New Yorkers.

The stage is set for reform and the time for change has arrived. Transportation Alternatives sincerely looks forward to working with Ms. Sadik-Khan to make the streets more inviting to those who use them most efficiently; walkers, bus riders and bicyclists.

"Ms. Sadik-Khan has two things that her predecessors have lacked," Says Transportation Alternatives’ Executive Director Paul Steely White, "Solid experience in planning for transit oriented streets, and perhaps more importantly, a Mayoral mandate to relieve congestion and create sustainable, greener streets."