16. Where in the passage should the following sentence be inserted? Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.
Answer: D
Other New Yorkers say they are in favor of the bike lanes just for keeping bicyclists off the sidewalks.
The sentence fits best after sentence 12, as it aligns with the discussion about the support for bike lanes among New Yorkers, specifically addressing an additional reason for their support.
A) After sentence 1
Inserting the sentence after sentence 1 would disrupt the initial introduction of the topic, which primarily focuses on the history of bicycle lanes rather than public opinion. This placement would not provide a logical connection to the context of support or opposition that follows in the passage.
B) After sentence 3
Placing the sentence after sentence 3 would also be inappropriate since this part of the passage discusses the construction of bike lanes in the 1980s and the immediate opposition they faced. The public's motivations for supporting bike lanes are not yet addressed, making this insertion illogical.
C) After sentence 9
Inserting the sentence after sentence 9 would not fit well, as this section focuses on the removal of bike lanes in Williamsburg due to community pressure. At this point in the passage, the topic is about opposition rather than support, making the new sentence seem out of context.
D) After sentence 12
This is the most suitable placement for the sentence as it follows a discussion about why many New Yorkers support the bike lanes, specifically citing environmental and health benefits. Adding the sentence here introduces another perspective on support, emphasizing that some New Yorkers favor the lanes primarily to keep cyclists off sidewalks, thus enriching the understanding of public sentiment.
Conclusion
The correct placement of the sentence is after sentence 12, as it complements the existing discussion about the reasons for supporting bike lanes. All other options fail to maintain the logical flow of the passage, either disrupting the historical context or focusing on opposition rather than support. This placement enhances the narrative by providing a broader view of public opinion.