TOW #6: "We're Walking Here!" Written

Cities are defined by chaotic transportation and bustling business. In the US, nowhere is this most evident than in New York City. With famous business areas like Wall Street, and millions of people walking around each day, it perfectly showcases a city in the US. The chaos in the city usually works, although it can sometimes fail. In September of this year, a woman was run over and killed by a rushing cyclist. To address this problem, The New York Times Editorial Board wrote an article discussing the transportation laws and injuries on the streets in New York City. Their article was called "We're Walking Here!" a reference to the pedestrians often caught in the way of vehicles during the chaotic mornings. Through their use of statistics and suggestion, the Editorial board is able to convince New Yorkers to take care around the pedestrians in the city and slow down.

Statistics were extremely important in defining the problem in New York City. The authors used statistics to show the extent of the pedestrian fatality problem in New York City. For example, the board states that, “Drivers killed 178 pedestrians and cyclists in 2013 alone” (Board par. 5) in order to show that huge fatality rates within the city. They also stated that, “Lowering the speed limit for cars, to 25 miles per hour on most streets was a good move by the City Council this month” (Board par. 6) to show that speed was an issue in the fatalities. The statistics in the article allow the board to show the extent of the problem in New York City, and convince citizens that it is a big enough problem to resolve.

The Editorial Board also used suggestion to convince New Yorkers to take care around pedestrians. For example, they stated, “If racers want a velodrome, there’s one in Queens” (Board par. 6). This shows that speed was an issue in the pedestrian fatality rate, and therefore suggests to speed somewhere else. The tone of this statement is also interesting, because it is a little irritated. This irritation convinces the audience to slow down because it shows that other New Yorkers, namely, the journalists, are frustrated with their actions.

Above all, the board want people to slow down in New York City and take care around pedestrians. Despite the many fatalities that have already occurred, the board’s article insists the trend can be reversed. New Yorkers can look forward to a day when they don’t have to be afraid walking to work.