Have You Sent Your Three Letters?

Whether you have five seconds for an e-letter or five minutes to write one by hand, it's essential that your elected officials hear from you about congestion pricing.

Opponents of congestion pricing are doing their best to kill the plan by a thousand cuts. They are cobbling together 11th hour "alternatives" and throwing up roadblocks to keep pricing revenues from flowing to transit projects.

You can bet the hard driving opposition to traffic relief and better transit will make their voice heard. But what about the millions who rely on transit to get to work? What about neighborhoods suffering the daily environmental burden of traffic-jammed streets? Click here to send your City Council, State Assembly and State Senate representatives an e-letter calling on them to pass a congestion pricing plan by March 31st.

A Call for Traffic Justice

The new issue of Reclaim investigates traffic justice.

In a city where fatal crashes go under-investigated and their perpetrators walk away unpunished, there is a growing chorus of families, friends and advocates raising the call for traffic justice. In the newest issue of Reclaim (PDF), T.A. considers why our legal system doesn't take death by automobile more seriously and what can be done about it.

"Because of the way laws are written and interpreted, and because of societal attitudes, it is easier to convict deadly drivers who are drunk or drugged," admits an exasperated former Brooklyn prosecutor. Jurors identify with speeders and red light runners, and are hesitant to convict them when they kill. But the primary challenge is the "rule of two" which suggests that a motorist must be committing at least two traffic violations, such as speeding and red light running, before they will be charged for killing a pedestrian or cyclist.

For more on the fight for traffic justice, be sure to check out the new issue of Reclaim, one of the many benefits of T.A. membership.

Bike Month NYC: Last Call for Events

There are over 200 Bike Month events during the month of May. Look for T.A. on the bridges and at various Bike Month 2008 events!

Friday, March 7th, is the last day for you to submit a Bike Month event for the 2008 print calendar, so if you've been sitting on plans for a two-wheeled culinary tour, or a bridges of Kings County adventure, or a pedal to the park, or any other awesome outing, get going and register your event at BikeMonthNYC.org/register.

If you can't decide by Friday, don't worry, you can always submit to the online calendar later and have your event posted on the web with scores of others.

Albany Advocacy Day

Carry T.A.'s message to the Capital!

Join hundreds of New Yorkers as we ask legislators to enact an equitable congestion pricing plan without delay.

Tuesday, March 18th
6 am-6 pm

Buses will depart at 6:15 am from Central Labor Council at 31 W. 15th Street (between 5th and 6th Ave). Transportation, T-shirts, educational materials, breakfast and lunch will be provided for you!

RSVP by Tuesday, March 12th to wiley@transalt.org or 646-873-6008.

Your voice is crucial to influencing our state legislators! We need you to come and show that New Yorkers are willing to fight to implement congestion pricing and its ability to raise much needed funds for public transportation.

Queens Committee Roller Race

The T.A. Queens Committee is holding a benefit roller race in Long Island City next week. If you're interested in testing your mettle on the famous Bike Works Barelli Competition Rollers, then come out and give it a spin. There is a $20 donation at the door. All proceeds go to Transportation Alternatives' Queens Committee initiatives, including the first annual Tour de Queens.

Tuesday, March 11th
7 pm
The Creek and Cave
10-93 Jackson Avenue
Long Island City

Block Party NYC

The applications for Block Party NYC are in, and dozens New Yorkers have taken steps towards streets for people.

From The Bronx to the Bowery, from Jamaica to Coney Island, people are clamoring to have their block be included in the inaugural season of Block Party NYC, the exciting new program that combines an old-fashioned block party with a whole new way of looking at streets. With 30 parties coming to neighborhoods throughout the five boroughs, everyone will have a chance to attend a party and see how other streets are asking for the change they deserve. To find a party in your neighborhood, or just to learn what it's all about, visit blockpartynyc.org.

Bike Lane Safety Survey

Do you feel safe? Take the NYC Bike Lane Survey.

Rich Krollman, Time's Up! volunteer and Hunter College graduate student, has drafted a survey to look at cyclists' perception of safety in NYC bike lanes. As the DOT lays down bike lanes at a record pace, it becomes increasingly important that New Yorkers use all avenues possible to offer their input in the design and planning process. Take Rich's survey and add to the crucial discussion about NYC bike lanes and safety.

The Brooklyn Committee Is Back

Help bring better biking, walking and public transit to Brooklyn.

T.A.'s newly re-formed Brooklyn Committee is looking for a few good advocates. Come out and help make your borough safer for cyclists and pedestrians in 2008. Some of the current projects include:

• Better bike parking
• Plans for protected bike lanes
• Congestion pricing campaigning
• Traffic calming along Bedford Avenue

The committee's next meeting will be:

Thursday, March 13th
6:30 pm
The Outpost
1014 Fulton St (at Downing St)
Brooklyn

Contact Oksana, Volunteer Coordinator, at volunteer@transalt.org for more information.

NYC Century Bike Tour: Register Now and Win a New Bike!

Register now and you could win a new Fuji Track Bike.

Registration for the 2008 NYC Century Bike Tour is officially open! This year's ride is on Sunday, September 7th, so mark your calendars. If you register before March 31st, you're eligible to win a Fuji Track Bike (56 cm Matte Black).

Visit NYCCentury.org for more information regarding the tour.

A Williamsburg/Greenpoint Greenway?

Do you live in Williamsburg/Greenpoint? Do you want to know more about the Brooklyn Greenway Inititiative? Well, you're in luck. Brooklyn CB1's parks, environment, waterfront and transportation committees will hear a special presentation on the Brooklyn Greenway next Wednesday, March 5th. On March 11th, the full board will vote on the proposal.

Wednesday, March 5th
6:30 pm
Upstairs room at Lady of the Snow Society Inc.
410 Graham Avenue (between Withers and Jackson)
Brooklyn

Tuesday, March 11th
6:30 pm*
Swinging Sixties Senior Center
211 Ainslie Street (at Manhattan Ave)
Brooklyn

*If you wish to speak at the Tuesday meeting, you must arrive and sign up by 6:15 pm.

T.A. Is Hiring

T.A. is looking to fill three positions this spring. We're seeking an urban planner, an events coordinator and an outreach coordinator. So if you or someone you know wants a job with some of NYC's hardest working transportation advocates, send them to our jobs page for all the details.