TourdeBronx.org
Sunday, Oct. 19

Register online to participate in New York's largest free cycling event, the Tour de Bronx!

T.A. Seeks Executive Director

T.A.’s longtime executive director, John Kaehny, is stepping down in 2004.

T.A. is looking for a strong new leader to take his place.

If you have the required skills and experience, we encourage you to apply. Applications due by November 15. Read the job description for more information.

Come to the Volunteer Mailing Party, Wednesday, October 29th at 6 pm at the T.A. Office (115 West 30th, #1207)! Free beer, soda, snacks and scintillating conversation. 

10/11 Following New York Signs Is Long Way to Nowhere, The New York Times

10/6 Manhattan Bridge bike path peril, The Brooklyn Paper

10/6 Borough Presses City to Make Manhattan Bridge Safer, Carroll Gardens/Cobble Hill Courier

10/4 Mayor: Take a long walk on a long bridge, Daily News

10/2 City Cyclists Put Pedal to Mettle: Bike traffic over bridges hits 23-year high, Newsday

10/2 Two Transportation Groups Make Case for Bridge Tolls: Markowitz Still Opposed, Brooklyn Heights Press & Cobble Hill News

10/2 Group Proposes Bridge Tolls Along East River To Curb Traffic, Queens Chronicle

10/1 Councilmen target motorized scooters: Led by North Shore's McMahon, they want to outlaw 2-wheeled machines as unsafe, The Staten Island Advance

9/30 New span study takes toll: More squabbling over bridge fees, Daily News

9/29 Metro Briefing: New York: Study Sees Payoff from East River Tolls, The New York Times

9/29 Report: Add Tolls to Ease Bridge Traffic, Newsday

More Quotes...

Time on your hands? Eager to make a difference? T.A. needs folks who are retired, work part-time or between jobs to help our top-notch advocacy staff make the city a better place for bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders.
Call 212-629-8080 or e-mail info@transalt.org.

Valet Bike Parking Volunteers Needed

Volunteer to provide valet bike parking at events throughout the year. Register online to express your interest in this opportunity.

T.A. still has two open internships: 

- Advocacy (work with T.A. program staff)
- Bicycle Advocacy

Please visit transalt.org/intern for more information.

Donations Wish List

Help cycling and walking and get a tax deduction. Donate to T.A. We need:

-Pentium II or better PCs
-Laptop computer (P 100+)
-Digital Camera
-Good chairs for conf. table or desks
-Computer Projector

Contact Matt: info@transalt.org

Do Your Part for Safer Streets!  Report:

Potholes and Hazards:
212-CALLDOT (hit 0 to speak with a human) or report them online at transalt.org/
hazard  

Sidewalk obstructions: Mayor’s Quality of Life Hotline at 888-677-LIFE/
5433

Read more about T.A.'s work to reduce street hazards at transalt.org/haz

Report Dangerous Cabs: 212-221-TAXI or report them online.

Read more about T.A.'s work to make cabs safer for pedestrians and cyclists at transalt.org/cabs

The T.A. Bulletin is a bi-weekly publication of Transportation Alternatives. The Bulletin has 25,000 subscribers.

Transportation Alternatives is a 5,000-member NYC-area non-profit citizens group working for better bicycling, walking and public transit, and fewer cars. We work for safer, calmer neighborhood streets and car-free parks. Join T.A. today!

October 14, 2003

NYC Pedestrian Fatalities at Historic Low

Tucked away inside a routine October 2nd press release from the Department of Transportation was the startling announcement that, according to preliminary figures, 102 pedestrians were killed in New York City during the first nine months of this year. 

Although this is a grievous toll of human life, this fatality figure is significantly lower than ever before and far lower than a decade ago. 

In 1993, 214 pedestrians were killed during the same period. If this year's trend continues, New York City will finish 2003 with fewer than 140 pedestrian fatalities. The previous historic low was in 1998, when police reported 183 pedestrians killed. 

Pedestrian fatalities have declined steadily since about 1990, when 365 pedestrians were killed. Since then, the Department of Transportation has improved safety at the 100 most dangerous pedestrian crossings. 

At some crossings, like Herald and Times Square, the agency has re-engineered streets with wider sidewalks, narrowed roadways and turn restrictions. At many crossings, including Queens Boulevard (aka "The Boulevard of Death"), the DOT has improved lighting, extended crossing times and placed fences on medians to reduce jaywalking. 

Police enforcement has been improved and focused through TrafficStat; the program has allowed the DOT to be faster at fixing dangerous locations. And, the reduction in crime has freed more police for traffic enforcement.

But these longer term safety measures do not help explain why such a relatively low number of walkers have been killed this year. Last year, 184 pedestrians were killed (the second lowest year ever.) So, why are pedestrian deaths down by 24% in one year? Is it luck? Steady improvements in emergency medical care? Reductions in motorist speeding? We do not know.

Pedestrian Fatalities in NYC 1983-2003

Note: There is variation between the number of pedestrian fatalities recorded by the New York City police, DOT, State DMV and State DOT.

Read more T.A.'s work to reduce pedestrian fatalities.

Pedestrian Safety Part II:
NYC Pedestrian Injuries Remain Around 15,000 Per Year

While pedestrian fatalities have plummeted, the number of walkers struck by motor vehicles has changed very little over the decade: 14,732 in 1991 versus 15,009 in 2001. (Note: this is actually a slight improvement, since the population of the City increased by 9.4% between 1990 and 2000, so the percentage of the population struck every year has declined a bit.) The question is why do motorists continue to strike so many, but kill so few? One explanation is that drivers are striking pedestrians while traveling at lower speeds. This would be borne out if the number of serious pedestrian injuries is also declining sharply, information T.A. does not have at the moment.

Since the publication of this article, we discovered that our source misstated the combined pedestrian and cyclist injury total as pedestrian injuries only.  A subsequent e-bulletin and CrashStat report corrected the error.

DOT Agrees to New Look At Bklyn Side of Manhattan Bridge

Thanks to persistent requests from T.A., Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, City Councilmember David Yassky, State Senator Martin Connor, Recycle-A-Bicycle, the Brooklyn Bridge Park Coalition and the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway Taskforce, the DOT agreed to reexamine the safety of bicycle and pedestrian access to the Brooklyn side of the Manhattan Bridge. In a September response to a July letter from the Borough President, the DOT stated that it is studying the intersection of the Manhattan Bridge off-ramp and Jay Street and will report its findings by mid-October. In June, the DOT rejected T.A.'s request for safety improvements at the bridge entrance.

T.A. learned of the DOT's new study hours before a September 29 press conference. At the conference, T.A., elected officials and community groups commended the DOT for undertaking the study and called on the agency to make bicycle and pedestrian improvements as fast as possible. We also released findings from our "Manhattan Bridge Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Survey."

Read more about bicycle and pedestrian access to the Manhattan Bridge.

Bicycling Boom on East River Bridges

According to the DOT's August and September bicycle counts, bike use on the four East River bridges has reached a 20-year peak. On an average fall weekday in 2003, 4,000 people biked across the East River bridges between 7 am and 7 pm; this figure is an increase from 3,000 people in 2002. This encouraging news suggests a steady growth in citywide commuting and utilitarian bicycle trips.

The East River bridge bicycle paths are the backbone of New York City's bicycle network. To the City's credit, new and improved bridge paths have boosted bicycling. The new bicycle and pedestrian paths on the Williamsburg and Manhattan Bridges help draw over 1,500 more weekday bicyclists across the East River than before the paths were built two years ago.

This surge in bridge use is a hint of the great gains to be made if the City makes bridge access safe and convenient for bicyclists. Safer access to bridges will further boost bicycling. 

Read more about improving bridge access for bicycles.

DOT's 9th Avenue Ped Barricades Blocked By Judge

The Department of Transportation's plan to barricade the sidewalk on the west side of 9th Avenue between 35th and 36th Streets has been temporarily blocked by a state judge. The judge ordered the DOT to hold a public hearing before barricading the sidewalks. In an August 19th letter, T.A. urged the Port Authority, in conjunction with the NYC DOT, to conduct a pedestrian safety and access study encompassing the areas around all of the entrances and exits to the Lincoln Tunnel and urged the agencies to make their goal to: "Improve pedestrian access and safety in the Lincoln Tunnel area, not restrict it."

Read more about pedestrian barricades.

Mayor Bloomberg Officially Opens Manhattan Waterfront Greenway

On Tuesday, September 30th, Mayor Bloomberg, Manhattan Borough President Virginia Fields and the City and State Parks and Transportation commissioners, cut the ribbon and officially opened the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway, a 32-mile route around the island's perimeter. This interim greenway creates the framework necessary to complete the larger vision of building a completely car-free route around Manhattan, a project that could take decades.

The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway is supported by: T.A., the East Coast Greenway Alliance, Environmental Defense, Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance, Municipal Arts Society, Natural Resources Defense Council, Neighborhood Open Space Coalition, New York League of Conservation Voters, New York Public Interest Research Group's, Straphangers Campaign, Regional Plan Association and the Tri-State Transportation Campaign.

Read more about NYC greenways.

Letters

A small sampling of the e-mail T.A. receives

Requesting Speed Humps Around a Jr. High School

I am a teacher at a junior high school in Brooklyn. I am very concerned about the fast moving traffic around the school, particularly during the morning hours and dismissal. What would the school need to do to have the city place speed bumps to slow the traffic down? Thank you in advance for your help. 

Fred C.

T.A. Response: You should have your principal write a letter to NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall, requesting that the DOT install speed humps near your school. Your e-mail above is on the right track: emphasize safety. Also, pinpoint exactly what blocks the speed humps should go on. The DOT should install two to three speed humps per block for them to be effective.

Write to:

Commissioner Iris Weinshall
NYC Department of Transportation
40 Worth Street
New York, NY 10013

I also recommend copying the elected officials and Community Board in the school's neighborhood. You can find the elected officials' information at http://www.cmap.nypirg.org/netmaps/
MyGovernment/NYC/MyGovernmentNYC.asp
?cmd=start  and the Community Board information at http://www.nyc.gov/html/dcp/html/
lucds/cdstart.html .

Good luck.

Read more about speed humps.

Riverside Park Missing Link in the Hudson River Greenway 

Was there an environmental issue raised on the missing link in the Hudson River bike/ped path in Riverside Park between 81st and 91st Street?

V.H.

T.A. Response: At one point, there was concern that the proposed cantilever path would shade a section of the water and have a negative impact on the river life, but Parks Department studies and independent analysis by Rutgers University marine biologists concur that there would be no negative effects on river life.

Electric-Powered Scooters

I'd like to know why you do not make the distinction between gas-powered and electric scooters. There is nothing wrong with adults riding electric scooters as bicycles. These scoots typically only reach speeds of up to 15 mph (with the wind on the back of the rider and a slight decline...). This speed is consistent with bicycles. We should be adopting the kind of legislation California uses - ban 2-stroke engines and set up some guidelines for electric scooter use. Riders should be at least 16 and must wear proper safety gear. Rules of the road should apply and be enforced. As an avid cyclist, I find it disturbing TA has taken such an archaic stance with regards to good scooters (i.e., electric). This stance is opposite of what it should be. Don't be part of the problem, its a slippery slope to more stringent cycling laws.

Tim U.

T.A. Response: Currently, New York State law bans the use of scooters, electric or gas powered. T.A. would support state legislation based on European laws which allow low-powered electric scooters (top speed around 13 mph) and similar vehicles on streets. We need to further study what impact allowing electric scooters on multi-use paths would have. T.A. supports the strong enforcement of traffic laws, especially in cases where violators pose a danger to the public. This includes enforcement of traffic laws against gas powered scooters which can travel at high speeds and are noisy.

Bike Parking Lost to Parking Meter Ads 

To the Editor: re your Summer, 2003 Article, "NY Bike Rack Program Lagging." It is true that the is City slow to install new bike racks. But even worse, an existing bike parking resource is being eliminated. Parking meter poles are easy to use and widely available. Advertising boxes, however, are now being installed around the poles, which prevents their use with a kryptonite-type lock. There are far more parking meters than bike racks - existing and proposed combined. It is unfortunate that we are in fact losing more parking resources than we are gaining.

H.P.

Manhattan Bridge Bicycle Access

Thought you guys might like a little ironic twist to yesterday's rally at the Manhattan Bridge.

I was riding home from work about an hour after the rally and, crossing the Bridge off-ramp/Jay St. between two stopped vans, got smacked by a Camry speeding around traffic on the shoulder. I'm fine, the bike's front rim is trashed, and the jerk drove off as soon as I stepped around the car to get his plate.

In support of the fight for safe access,
Mark K.

Going Forward

As a volunteer, staff member and executive director, Transportation Alternatives has been my life for more than a decade. It has been a great honor and deeply gratifying to represent T.A. in affairs large and small and be trusted to conduct the organization's business.

My time at T.A. has spanned more than a decade and included two mayors, six DOT commissioners, two daughters, one son, four apartments, three commuter bikes, many friends, some enemies, many successes and many frustrations.

Fulfilling as my work at T.A. has been, I would like to try some new things. So I am excited to announce that I will be stepping down as T.A.'s executive director in Spring 2004.

In the months ahead, I will be working with the T.A. board, staff and volunteers to ensure that there is a smooth transition and that T.A.'s work for better cycling, walking, car-free parks and many other good things does not slow. T.A. has already begun speaking to accomplished professionals in our field to find a suitable successor. But if you think that you would make an outstanding T.A. executive director, and you have the kind of experience that the job requires, see the job description on our Web site. I encourage you to apply for this stimulating and satisfying position.

John Kaehny
Exec. Director

Join T.A. today to start receiving Transportation Alternatives Magazine, our members-only in-depth quarterly magazine—
just one of the many personal benefits of T.A. membership!

Request a sample copy!

City Provides Guarded Bike Parking

NYC Bike Rack Program Lagging

DOT to T.A.: No Safety Improvements for Manhattan Bridge  

Bridge Bumps Need to Go!  

DOT Wants to Color in Curbside Bike Lanes  

Needed: Direction Arrows for Bike Lanes  

NYPD Keeps Hudson Greenway Open During Fleet Week  

T.A. Sues State DOT To Remove Greenway Stop Signs

Support Grows in NJ for GW Bridge to "River Road" Connector Path

TAKE THE TOUR!
NYC Century Bike Tour

MAD AS HELL?  DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

Call the Mayor's Quality of Life Action Line (real people 24 hrs a day): 888-677-5433 or 888-677-LIFE.

POTHOLES, STREET HAZARDS GOT YOU IN A RUT?

Call DOT at 212-225-5368 and hit 0 to skip the message and speak with a human. You can also report them online at transalt.org/
hazard.

STAY SMART & INFORMED

Savvy transit riders get their lowdown on the subways here:

straphangers
.org
The ultimate source for bus and subway service changes, rider comments and complaints that produce action. Help yourself and T.A.’s favorite transit advocates. Check it out.

Sensible Transport Junkies:

Subscribe to the Tri-State Transportation Campaign’s e-weekly, Mobilizing the Region.  tstc.org

The daily Gotham Gazette

Bikes in Bogota? Car-Free Cartagena? Tel-Aviv by Train?

Go global at itdp.org!

Give on-line at transalt.org/join 

Check our maps page for links to NYC-area bicycle and transit maps.

RIDES AND WALKS

Thursday, October 16, 9 am. Scarsdale. Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclists in NYC.

Saturday, October 18, 8:30 am. 3,500 Feet and Rising. GCT. 5BBC.

Saturday, October 18, 10:05 am. Massapequa Creek to Beth Page. Take 9:05 AM LIRR train from Penn Station to Massapequa. Shorewalkers.

Saturday, October 18, 10:30 am. The Great Pizza Tour. City Hall. 5BBC.

Saturday, October 18, 1:30 pm. Ferry to Weehawken. 38th St. and 12th Ave, NY Waterway Dock. Shorewalkers.

Sunday, October 19. Tour de Bronx. Transportation Alternatives and The Bronx Borough President's Office.

Sunday, October 19, 9 am. Dia:Beacon Museum in Beacon, NY. Boathouse in Central Park. Fast & Fabulous.

Sunday, October 19, 9 am. Oy Oy Oysters! Special K Part Three. Cunningham Park. 5BBC.

Sunday, October 19, 9:15 am. Fall Foliage Bike & Hike. South Ferry in Manhattan, main entrance. 5BBC.

Sunday, October 19, 10:30 am. Exploratory Bronx. End of #6 line. Shorewalkers.

Sunday, October 19, Noon. Blue Apple Ride: The East River's Elbow. Tramway Plaza, 59th St. and 2nd Ave. Time's Up!

Tuesday, October 21, 10 am. TBA. Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclists in NYC.

Thursday, October 23, 10 am. TBA. The Weekday Cyclists in NYC.

Thursday, October 23, 10:30 am. Ellis Island. 42nd St. at Circle Line on Hudson River. Shorewalkers.

Saturday, October 25, 8:23 am. Belford Journey. Pier 78, NY Waterway Ferry Terminal, 38th St.&12th Ave. 5BBC and NYCC.

Saturday, October 25, 10 pm. Riverside Ride. Columbus Circle. Time's Up!

Sunday, October 26, 8:30 am. Manhattan Perimeter, Version 2. Chelsea Piers, 22nd St. & 12th Ave. 5BBC.

Sunday, October 26, 9 am. War of the Worlds! Special K Part Four. Marshall's Dept Store, Gateway/Old Bridge Shopping Center, South Amboy, NJ. 5BBC.

Saturday, October 25, 9:30 am. Kensico Reservoir. Grand Central upper level info booth. Shorewalkers.

Saturday, October 25, 9:30 am. East Island. Cunningham Park. 5BBC.

Saturday, October 25, 10:05 am. Strolling the Bronx River. Grand Central upper level info booth. Shorewalkers.

Sunday, October 26, 8:30 am. Gowanus Dredgers Canal Tour, Borough Hall steps (Court and Joralemon Sts.), Brooklyn. Time's Up!

Sunday, October 26, 9 am. Old Croton Aqueduct Ride, Van Cortlandt Park Golf Clubhouse, Bronx. Time's Up & Fast & Fabulous.

Tuesday, October 28, 10 am. TBA. Loeb Boathouse. The Weekday Cyclists in NYC.

More Rides and Walks...