Queens Plaza is one of several livable streets projects that federal stimulus dollars will soon jump-start. Image courtesy Wallace Roberts and Todd

From Uncle Sam with Love

Looking east from the north side of a new Queens Plaza.

Wider sidewalks, new greenways, better bike facilities and long-awaited station upgrades are coming to New York City thanks to Uncle Sam. That was part of the message Mayor Bloomberg delivered last Thursday when he announced the City's selections for infrastructure projects that will benefit from $261 million of federal transportation funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The total value of the City transportation projects benefiting from stimulus funding is $1.1 billion and the projects are expected to create or preserve approximately 32,000 jobs throughout the five boroughs.

Notable livable streets projects that made the list include: bike and pedestrian improvements to Houston Street and 125th Street in Manhattan; the Lafayette Avenue, Randall's Island connector and Hunts Point Landing sections of the South Bronx Greenway; the renovation of the St. George Ferry Terminal on Staten Island; new sidewalks for Fulton and Nostrand Avenues in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn; and the highly anticipated redesign of Queens Plaza.

Although the lion's share of the City's federal stimulus money is going to bridge rehabilitation projects, livable streets advocates should be heartened by the quality and diversity of progressive transportation initiatives that made the City's list. These kinds of projects not only create employment and maintain jobs that may have been lost to the economic downturn, but they also establish a future in which more New Yorkers can move around the city for less money and with a smaller carbon footprint. This, of course, is as smart in the short term as it is in the long.

In the coming months, T.A. will be watch-dogging these projects along with scores more like them to make sure that the City is using its limited resources as wisely as possible.

I Walk in My Street

Last summer, thousands of New Yorkers walked in their street, and they loved it.

New Yorkers love livable streets, and we've got the numbers to prove it. According to a new report by Transportation Alternatives, pedestrians surveyed at street-closure events throughout the city last summer were far more likely to appreciate the value of car-free space than those who were asked before experiencing the quiet, safety and community of a neighborhood-sponsored street closure.

The study, I Walk in My Street (PDF), confirms what advocates have long assumed and serves as a step-by-step guide for aspiring car-free-event hosts. In addition to reporting some astounding numbers, the study is designed to help New Yorkers navigate the often-choppy permitting process, establish funding strategies, shape appropriate volunteer protocols and gain the support of crucial elected officials and community partners. In both regards, it is an essential document.

The summer of 2009 will likely be filled with car-free events. I Walk in My Street (PDF) ought to be a resource to hosts, interested groups, decision makers and the media alike. You can download the study here (PDF).

Bike Month

Are you ready to ride?

May is Bike Month! That means it's time to tune up your two-wheeler, fill up your tires and get ready to ride with thousands of other cyclists at hundreds of amazing events throughout the five boroughs.

From races to historical tours to garden parties and everywhere in between, Bike Month is a fantastic time for you, your friends and your family to ride around and see all that the city has to offer.

Go to bikemonthnyc.org to check out the online calendar and to order a hard copy version to hang on your fridge or pass out to friends. This Bike Month is sure to be one of the best ever.

Get to Know TEAM T.A.

Say hi to TEAM T.A.'s Jeremy Grysman

Born and raised in Queens, Jeremy Grysman biked all over town as a child, and now enjoys riding around Manhattan and the Bronx. He commutes by bike from Riverdale to Midtown as often as possible, and with the looming MTA fare hike, believes more will people start to do the same.

Join Jeremy and the other TEAM T.A. members as they raise funds for T.A.'s advocacy work and train to ride in the 20th annual NYC Century Bike Tour. It's a great way to get in shape, meet some new biking buddies and support walking, cycling and public transit in New York City. You also get an awesome T.A. bike jersey!

To learn more about TEAM T.A., swing by our office for an information session on Monday, April 20th at 6:30. You can also email info@teamta.org or visit TEAMTA.org for more information.

TEAM T.A. Info Sessions
Monday, April 20th
6:30 pm
T.A. Office
127 West 26th Street, Suite #1002
New York, NY 10001

Help Pass an MTA Bailout Plan

Join the Straphangers Campaign as they put pressure on two State Senators that are blocking the MTA bailout plan. Spend a day talking to riders and handing out fliers in the districts of State Senators Parker and Golden next Tuesday and Thursday.

Leafleting in Senator Kevin Parker's district
Tuesday, April 14th
7:45-9 am
Flatbush Ave (2,5)

Leafleting in Senator Martin Golden's district
Thursday, April 16th
7:45-9 am
86th Street (R)

RSVP to cncontino@gmail.com.

Growing and Greening New York

Join Transportation Alternatives as we ride to the Museum of the City of New York to celebrate Growing and Greening New York, an exhibit that considers the issues, problems and challenges facing New York, and documents solutions proposed by architects, urban planners, scientists, industrial designers, engineers, non-profit organizations, advocacy groups and other groups involved in the process.

The leisurely ride will end with a press conference on the museum steps, after which all are welcome to enjoy the exhibit and the museum for free. Cyclists who cannot stay at the museum that day will be given a pass for free admission at a later date.

Bike Ride to Growing and Greening Exhibit
Tuesday, April 14th
10 am-12 pm
USS Maine Monument
Columbus Circle (intersection of 59th Street & Central Park West)
Manhattan

To RSVP, go to transalt.org/events/calendar/3146.

Block Party NYC

Block Party NYC is a program of the New York City Streets Renaissance and Transportation Alternatives which is dedicated to helping neighbors around NYC come together and enjoy their block free from the usual hazards and distractions of a car-filled street. One way we do this is by sponsoring parties each year.

Sponsored block parties are awarded mini-grants, and also receive the help of an urban planner and Transportation Alternatives staff members. This year, we're focusing these grants on neighbors who are already engaged in working on issues of traffic and livability on their street. If you and your block fit the bill, fill out an application!

A Special offer for T.A. Members

Momentum Magazine's Advocacy Partnership Program is proud to support Transportation Alternatives' work. T.A. members can sign up today for a $5 discount on a one-year subscription to Momentum Magazine, and Momentum will donate $5 to T.A. To start your subscription AND support T.A., visit momentumplanet.com/node/3897

Special offers from bike-friendly businesses are just one of the great benefits of T.A. membership! Not a member? Join today!