The year 2007 may prove to be one of the most important years in the storied history of New York City's development. In a future timeline of urban advances, it might be printed in as big a font and as bold a type as 1811--when the grid system was adopted--or 1904--when the I.R.T. subway opened. The text adjacent to 2007 could say something like "the start of livable streets," or "the bike boom begins," or "congestion pricing kicks off." It may turn out that all of those descriptions may suit 2007. The real question is, in hindsight, will they?

When Andy Clark, executive director of the Washington D.C.-based League for American Bicyclists, speaks to parent groups about bicycling and walking, he likes to toss out the following query: How many people walked to school when they were children? The answer, he says, is always roughly the same: about 75 percent. But when he asks the same group how many have kids who walk to school today, the figure drops to 25 percent.

On Wednesday morning, Quron Bryant, 6 and Daquan Bryant, 9 were struck by drivers near P.S. 103 in the Bronx. The brothers were crossing the street to PS 103 on Carpenter Avenue when they were hit by a driver, leaving both with shattered legs, cuts and bruises.

The city says it's already on the case, but City Councilman James Oddo yesterday joined representatives of a pedestrian advocacy group on a tour of streets near Egbert Intermediate School to discuss ideas on how to make roadways safer for motorists and walkers.

The Midland Beach tour focused on Midland and Greeley avenues -- two roadways that intersect Hylan Boulevard, making them attractive to speeding motorists.

Good afternoon. My name is Paul Harrison. I represent Transportation Alternatives, New York's 3,300 member citizens group working for a more pedestrian-friendly New York, better conditions for cycling and improved mass transit.

Good afternoon. My name is John Kaehny, I am executive director of Transportation Alternatives, New York City’s advocates for bicyclists, pedestrians and safer streets. Thank you Chairman Liu and Chairman Moskowitz for holding this important hearing today.

Good morning, my name is Noah Budnick. I am Projects Director for Transportation Alternatives. We are the largest local pedestrian and bicyclist advocacy group in the United States and represent New York City’s millions of walkers and bicyclists. I am pleased to speak before the newly created New York State Advisory Panel on Transportation Policy for 2025 about improving pedestrian and bicyclist safety.

Program Goals:
1. Reduce the number of children and other pedestrians and motorists who are injured or killed in traffic.
2. Keep the number of children walking to school at 80% by making the walking routes safer.

Benefiting: