Articles and Actions
Events and Appeals
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| Take Action for A More Bikeable Houston Street | ||||||||
On August 17th, Manhattan's Community Board 2 passed a formal resolution (PDF) "imploring" the DOT to include protected space for cyclists in its plan to reconstruct Houston Street. On Wednesday, August 30th, Community Board 2 members, residents, businesses, elected officials and cyclists rallied on Houston Street to call for safe cycling space. Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer, Councilmember Alan Gerson, Assemblymember Deborah Glick and State Senator Martin Connor all insisted on the need for protected cycling space along this critical bike corridor.
The City's Houston Street Reconstruction project is a great opportunity to realize a safe and bikeable Houston Street, a "planned bicycle route" laid out in the City of New York's official 1997 Bicycle Master Plan. A safe Houston Street would invite more people to make bicycling an everyday form of exercise and a mode of travel between home, work, school, parks, shopping and cultural destinations. Houston Street is a very important connection in the city's bike network, and protected cycling space will make it safer for the thousands of cyclists who ride the East River bridges and the Hudson River and East River Greenway paths each day to access downtown, and its vibrant neighborhoods. In addition to the Bicycle Master Plan, the Community Board's resolution, internal agency recommendations, a draft report on transportation improvements for City Hall, three cyclists' deaths there in the past year and 82 cyclists struck there between 2002 and 2004, now local Councilmembers Alan Gerson and Rosie Mendez and Congresswoman Nydia Velázquez are sending written requests to the DOT and Deputy Mayor Doctoroff to include protected cycling space in the Houston Street reconstruction. Please join them in this effort by sending Deputy Mayor Doctoroff an e-postcard to ask him to ensure that the Houston Street Reconstruction project includes protected cycling space for the entire length of Houston, from river to river:
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| The School Year is Coming. Are Safe Routes Far Behind? | ||||||||
In February of 2004 students at Jordan L. Mott Junior High School were excited to hear about a groundbreaking new Safe Routes to School program that would make walking to and around their school safer and easier. Their school was one of the 135 (out of more than 1,400 total) schools selected by the City for further study; and the City DOT told students, parents and administrators at Mott that the "DOT plans to start making safety improvements for a majority of these schools by the end of the current school year."
Well, that year has come and gone and as the junior high students of 2004 prepare to enter high school their alma mater has finally been given... a safety report (PDF). Safety improvements at Jordan L. Mott Junior High are over two-and-a-half years late and the DOT is still dragging its feet. Only 52 of 135 Safe Routes to School reports are finished and virtually none of the recommended improvements have been made. The select safety enhancements that have been made are victories won in spite of the Safe Routes to School plans, not because of it. As another school year starts, the horror of this situation looms as large as ever. While more DOT studies pile up on the shelves, NYC's schoolchildren remain at risk. More than one million students are set to return to school next week and they deserve better.
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| Permit Abuse Triple-Parked in the News | ||||||||
Since the Daily News' parking permit abuse coverage was written up in the last T.A. E-Bulletin, CBS TV and the New York Post have added to the clamor for a serious crackdown on parking privilege.
With the imminent release of T.A.'s next permit abuse study and this growing media frenzy, the pressure is on Mayor Bloomberg and NYPD Commissioner Kelly to end the permit parking abuse that makes NYC streets dangerous and congested. Click on the links below for a round-up of the coverage. NY Daily News CBS News NY Post |
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| We've Won, for Now: NYPD Drops Parade Permit Proposal | ||||||||
Late on Friday afternoon, August 18th, the NYPD withdrew its proposed changes to the city's parade permit rules. Thank you to everyone who took action against this draconian proposal and contacted the Mayor, City Council Speaker and City Councilmembers to voice how the proposed changes would have stopped millions of people from walking and riding bikes each year.
While the Police Department dropped its original proposal, the press has reported that the department is redrafting another proposal (links below) due out in September or October, and will remove the section regarding 35 pedestrians but to include statutes that state:
Stay tuned to T.A.'s Street Activist Network to receive updates and action alerts on any proposed parade permit changes and other important advocacy campaigns.
For you newshounds, below is some of the press coverage: T.A.'s Statement Regarding the NYPD's Withdrawal of Proposed Parade Permit Rules (PDF) |
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| The Right Direction for Right-of-Way Violations | ||||||||
New York State Vehicle and Traffic Laws just got tougher on drivers who endanger cyclists, pedestrians and motorcyclists. On August 16, Governor Pataki ratified Assembly Bill A04914, which authorizes the mandatory revocation or suspension of a driver's license where a right-of-way violation leads to serious injury or death of another person. The bill also authorizes courts to require persons convicted of such right-of-way violations that caused serious physical injury or death to participate in a motor vehicle crash prevention course.
According to Assemblymember Ron Canestrari, the bill's author, A04914 "is intended to improve traffic safety and to reduce right-of-way violations which result in vehicle crashes involving motorcyclists, pedestrians, and bicyclists." Transportation Alternatives applauds Albany for passing a law that enables severe punishments for drivers who endanger pedestrians and bicyclists. We look forward to the passage of similar legislation around the country. |
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| Register Today for T.A.'s NYC Century Bike Tour and Save! | ||||||||
Register today and choose your route 15, 35, 55, 75 or 100 miles, all featuring scenic rest stops fully stocked with a wide variety of tasty snacks. Save $15 off day-of event registration prices by registering online before September 2nd. Plus, as an added bonus, register and join or renew your T.A. membership before September 2nd and be entered into a drawing to win a brand new Trek 3500, courtesy of Bicycle Habitat. It's a great time for an excellent cause--the NYC Century Bike Tour is one of T.A.'s most important fundraisers of the year. And this year several other groups are using the ride as an opportunity to raise money for their causes as well. If you're riding with a large group, let us know! Email us at info@transalt.org. |
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| Volunteer for the NYC Century Bike Tour at a Scenic Rest Stop! | ||||||||
From the majesty of Prospect Park to bustling Canarsie Pier--the NYC Century Bike Tour brings riders to six rest stops to stock up on food and water while resting their tired limbs. We need dozens of volunteers to cut fruit, make sandwiches, direct riders and provide encouragement on Sunday, September 10th. Sign up to volunteer at one of T.A.'s landmark rest stops and you'll receive a free T-shirt, meet tons of new friends and help a great cause.
Email volunteer@transalt.org or call Wiley at 646-873-6008 to sign up for one of the following shifts: Astoria Park 8 am-1 pm, 1-5 pm See NYCCentury.org/volunteer for more details. |
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| Take our Sexy Street Smarts Quiz | ||||||||
E-Bulletin readers, test your street smarts here!
On a Sunday I like to: a) Take a walk around a neighborhood I've never been to before I think the perfect street has: a) wide sidewalks My favorite place in Manhattan is: a) Central Park Tally your points! A = 5 Your score:
Transportation Alternatives is a member-supported non-profit 501(c)(3) organization. Join T.A. today!
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