By generating hundreds of constituent phone calls, T.A. fought the MTA's fare hike through the 12th hour. There is still more to do.

What's Next for the MTA?

In the face of Albany's inaction, we jokingly suggested that a telethon might be the MTA's next best option.

For the last two weeks, T.A. staff and volunteers have been advocating for transit in Albany, on the internet and live from Union Square. We generated more than 1,000 letters, 500 phone calls and dozens of sit downs with decision makers, but in the end, self-interest and political inertia won the day.

Despite the best efforts of T.A., scores of NYC's top advocacy organizations and StreetBeat readers like you, Senate Democrats were unwilling to work together to pass any variation of an MTA bailout plan. At this point, it is clear that a bipartisan coalition, embracing upstate Republicans with transit-manufacturing concerns and MTA-region Democrats, who understand that low fares are in their constituents' interest, is the only way forward.

In the coming days, we'll be looking beyond the MTA-region delegation to forge new alliances with non-traditional transit supporters and bring the necessary votes into play.

City to Cyclists: We Hear You Loud and Clear

A few months ago, in the middle of one of this winter's icy weeks, we told you about our efforts to make it easier for cyclists to report unsafe bridge and greenway conditions to the City's 311 system. We're proud to report that after a series of meetings with T.A., the City's Department of Information Technology, which manages the 311 system, has made changes to its recording forms that will make it easier for operators to interpret cyclists' complaints.

311 is a great system that has made it simpler for citizens to get involved. These new improvements will streamline and clarify the reporting process and ensure that cyclists, as well as motorists, transit riders and pedestrians, will be able to have their voices heard by the powers that be.

In the coming year, we'll be encouraging the Department of Information Technology to accept camera phone pictures and other new media reports of transportation hindrances.

Alliance for Biking and Walking Honors T.A.

Say 'Hi' to T.A.'s award winning Youth Advocates

They gathered signatures, served iced tea, campaigned for a car-free park, and now they're bringing home some honors.

The Alliance for Biking and Walking, a national coalition of state and local bicycle and pedestrian advocacy organizations, awarded T.A. the 2009 Innovation Award for the Youth for Car-Free Parks campaign.

The Innovation Award is given to an organization that has implemented the most creative and innovative campaign in regards to biking and walking issues and advocacy. We're very proud to have received this award and hope that our groundbreaking Biking Rules campaign will take home the honor next year.

Manhattan Community Board Two Talks Bike Lanes

The Department of Transportation's Bicycle Program will present project overviews for a series of new Manhattan bike lanes to Community Board Two's Transportation Committee on April 14th at 6:30 pm. If you can show up and voice your support, it would be a big help. The lanes include cross-town routes on 10th Street and Christopher Street and a new bicycle lane along Macdougal-Thompson-Washington Square North that will connect the 5th Avenue bicycle lane to the Grand Street protected bicycle lane.

Manhattan CB2 Bike Lane Meeting
Tuesday, April 14th
6:15 pm
NYU Silver Building
32 Waverly Place, Room 411
Manhattan

Prospect Park Road Rules

On Saturday, April 4th, from 1-4 pm, the Prospect Park Alliance will be offering bike safety workshops in the Wollman Rink parking lot and distributing Park Drive rule cards at the Grand Army Plaza and Lincoln Road entrances. Bike on by, say hi and get all the up-to-date info you need to ride safely in Prospect Park this spring.

Prospect Park Road Rules
Saturday, April 4th
1-4 pm
Prospect Park
Brooklyn

Gotham Girls Roller Derby: Season Opener

Gotham Girls Roller Derby, now beginning its 5th season of competition, supports safe transportation for cyclists, in-line skaters and roller skaters on the streets of New York. Once the skaters hit the roller derby track, however, all bets are off.

Come check out New York's national champion all-female roller derby team take on the Boston Derby Dames at this year's season opener. Tickets and full season schedule at gothamgirlsrollerderby.com.

T.A. members get 20% off all Gotham Girls merchandise with in-person presentation of a T.A. membership card.

Gotham Girls Roller Derby
Saturday, March 28th
Bout at 7:30 pm, doors at 6:30 pm
Long Island University Schwartz Athletic Center
385 Flatbush Avenue (at DeKalb Avenue)
Brooklyn

Bike to MoMA Monday Nights

Bike to MoMA on April 6th and get free bicycle valet parking and half-price admission! One Monday a month, The Museum of Modern Art stays open until 8:45 pm. Drop in after hours for exhibitions, films, DJ, cash bar, and a bite to eat at Café 2 (limited evening menu)—plus enter a raffle to win the unique collapsible STRiDA 5.0 Bicycle, ideal for urban transport. The first 600 ticket buyers after 5:30 pm get free admission on their next visit.

Exhibitions on view include Martin Kippenberger: The Problem Perspective and Projects 87: Klara Liden. In the theaters at 7 pm, New York–based artist and filmmaker Carter introduces the U.S. premiere of his most recent film, Erased James Franco (2008), and takes part in a post-screening conversation with its star, James Franco. (Screening is included in the cost of admission; tickets are first come, first served.)

MoMA Monday Nights Monday, April 6th
5:30-8:45 pm
The Museum of Modern Art
11 W 53rd Street
Manhattan

Bicycle valet parking courtesy of Transportation Alternatives.

East Side Volunteer Committee Meeting

Help make a difference in your neighborhood.

Last month, 50 local residents brought energy, enthusiasm, and great ideas to the first meeting of T.A.'s new East Side Volunteer Committee. Please join us for the second meeting of this exciting new campaign focused on winning better bicycling, walking, and transit on the East Side of Manhattan.

The East Side Volunteer Committee is working together for:

• Protected bike lanes and neighborhood bike lane networks
• Wider sidewalks and more crossing time for pedestrians
• Re-designs of 1st and 2nd Avenues that incorporate fully-wrought Bus Rapid Transit and protected bike lanes

East Side Volunteer Committee Meeting
Wednesday, April 8, 6-8:30 pm
The Puck Building
295 Lafayette Street, 2nd Floor
Manhattan

For more information, or to get involved, e-mail eastside@transalt.org.

RPA's Regional Assembly

The Regional Plan Association is holding its 19th Annual Regional Assembly at the Waldorf Astoria on April 17th. Titled "America 2050: Building the Next Economy," this year's Assembly will be a full day of workshops, conversation and collaboration with the goal of building consensus and understanding solutions to repair our tattered economy.

For more information and to purchase tickets, go to:
rpa.org/2009/01/19th-annual-regional-assembly.html