Question 7

Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.

The most appropriate placement for the sentence is after sentence 12. This position allows the new information to build upon the existing discussion of New Yorkers' support for bike lanes, specifically addressing a different motivation for that support.

A) After sentence 1

Inserting the sentence here would disrupt the introduction of the topic regarding the history of bicycle lanes in New York City. Sentence 1 sets the stage for the discussion on bike lanes, and adding this sentence would introduce a perspective that is not yet contextualized.

B) After sentence 3

This placement would be inappropriate as it follows a historical reference to the construction of bike lanes. The sentence about keeping bicyclists off sidewalks is focused on contemporary opinions, which would feel out of place immediately after a historical point.

C) After sentence 9

While this option occurs after a specific instance of opposition to bike lanes, it does not relate directly to the reasons for support. It does not allow for a cohesive transition from the negative sentiments expressed in sentence 9 to a supportive statement about bike lanes.

D) After sentence 12

This option is the best choice as it follows a discussion about the support for bike lanes due to environmental, health, and safety benefits. Inserting the new sentence here emphasizes that some New Yorkers support bike lanes for practical reasons, specifically to prevent conflicts between bicycles and pedestrians on sidewalks, thus adding depth to the conversation about public sentiment.

Conclusion

The correct placement of the sentence enhances the context surrounding public support for bike lanes by introducing an additional rationale for that support. Options A, B, and C fail to provide a logical connection to the ongoing discussion about the benefits and support for bike lanes, making D the only suitable choice.