T.A. StreetBeat

T.A. StreetBeat

October 15th, 2009

New York's Finest need orders from the top to tackle traffic and make streets safe.
Image courtesy Moriza on Flickr.

Articles and Actions

Fatalities Up, Summonses Down
Are Protected Bike Lanes Headed Uptown?

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Events and Alerts

Get Yourself Connected
Traffic Crime Symposium
Queens! Queens!! Queens!!!
Bikes, Cameras, Beers: PSA Tickets on Sale Now
Tour de Bronx
Help Win Protected Bike Lanes on 1st and 2nd Avenues
Take 35 Seconds to Raise $35,000 for Safer Bike Lanes

T.A. in the News

"I can think of dozens of ways a competent traffic engineer could change this intersection in a matter of weeks to make it more hospitable to all users," said T.A. Board Member Ken Coughlin.

-YourNabe.com, 10/8

Fatalities Up, Summonses Down

The NYPD keeps traffic moving, but at what cost?

Bicyclist and pedestrian traffic fatalities are up, while traffic summonses are down: that's the terrifying fact buried deep in the numbers of this year's Mayor's Management Report.

Since fiscal year 2007, the total number of moving violations issued by the NYPD has decreased by just less than two percent, while the number of bicyclists and pedestrians killed on New York City's streets has increased by more than two percent, according to the biannual tome whose publication is mandated by the City Charter.

Although far fewer motorists and passengers died on city streets last year than in previous ones, the increase in pedestrian and bicyclist deaths, concurrent with a decrease in summonsing activity, is a troubling trend, particularly given the bicycle and pedestrian-friendly efforts of other City agencies.

In a series of landmark (PDF) reports (PDF) issued earlier this year, Transportation Alternatives called attention to various failings in the NYPD's approach to reporting traffic violations. Some of these criticisms have already brought about change, at least in this year's MMR. The NYPD now lists, "Enhance traffic safety for city residents", as its second highest priority. Unfortunately, T.A.'s more fundamental concern -- the actual safety of New Yorkers on the street -- has yet to change with the NYPD's words on paper.

In the coming months and years, we'll be fighting to end this deadly disparity.

Are Protected Bike Lanes Headed Uptown?

Uptown Community Boards are interested in protected bike lanes like the one on Allen Street.

Manhattan's Upper West and Upper East sides took big steps towards better biking last week when their respective community boards passed resolutions in favor of protected bike lanes.

Board 7, which represents the Upper West Side, passed (by a vote of 28-7) a resolution that "supports the Department of Transportation's initiative to create protected bike lanes" and "requests that DOT prepare a proposal for Class 1 protected bike lanes on Amsterdam Avenue and Columbus Avenue (including information on projected impacts on: bike safety, pedestrian safety, business operations and interests, parking, truck traffic etc.) that would be subject to review and comment by Community Board 7."

The Transportation Committee of the Upper East Side's Board 8 unanimously approved a similar measure, which will be heard by the full board on October 21.

Community Boards' support of (and occasional resistance to) livable streets improvements have proven a critical component of campaigns for better biking, walking and public transit.

We're thrilled that both Manhattan's CB7 and CB8 have signaled support for protected bike lanes, and urge all New Yorkers to get involved at the most local level of civic governance.

Take Action

On Monday, November 23, Transportation Alternatives will host its second annual Community Board Jammy Jam, a fun evening event that explains the important roles that Community Boards play in City government and helps interested parties get involved. If you're into making your politics local, creating positive change in the neighborhood and helping improve the street right outside your door, contact elena@transalt.org. We'll provide more details for this event as they become available.

And if you're free this weekend, join us as we gather signatures in support of protected bike lanes on First and Second Avenues.

Get Yourself Connected

Facebook, Twitter and online groups are helping T.A. win better biking, walking and transit.

We know how hard livable streets advocacy can be sometimes -- after all, it's our job -- but occasionally, significant changes can happen with a click of the mouse, a well-timed phone call, an informed email or a smart status update (e.g. Take 35 Seconds to Raise $35,000 for Safer Bike Lanes). That's why we want you to connect with T.A.

We're on Facebook and Twitter (Volunteer4TA, NYCBridgeReport, BikingRulesPSA). We've got Google Groups for Queens, the Bronx, Brooklyn, Staten Island and Manhattan's East Side, a Livable Streets Network for Manhattan's Upper West Side, as well as a special Street Activist Network for anyone ready to answer our most urgent calls to action.

Every few weeks, a new hot topic pops up, and those who are most connected and ready to lend an electronic hand can help shape the debate. The internet is only as powerful an organizing tool as we make it, so sign up, stay connected and help us build a better city.

Traffic Crime Symposium

Advocates are putting the system on trial.

Transportation Alternatives, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law are holding a symposium addressing the prosecution of vehicular homicide in New York State. Prosecutors, defense attorneys and legal advocates will examine the existing legal framework and discuss innovative or untried techniques, as well as those in use in other states. The program is free and open to everyone. Attorneys will be eligible for CLE credit.

If you have any questions call Peter Goldwasser at 646-873-6020 or Kyle Wiswall at 212-268-7474. We hope to see you there!

Traffic Crime Symposium
Tuesday, October 27th
9 am -12 pm
Cardozo School of Law
55 Fifth Avenue
Manhattan
RSVP to crimsymposium@gmail.com

Queens! Queens!! Queens!!!

Dues-paying members give T.A. the strength to win safer and more sustainable streets. That's why T.A.'s Queens Committee is organizing a month-long membership drive to build T.A. membership in Queens! Whether you've been on board since our founding in 1973 or are brand new to the livable streets movement, there's never been a better time to support T.A.'s work and get involved with our hard-working volunteer committees.

As if that weren't reason enough to sign up for a T.A. membership right now they're holding an awesome party at the Creek and the Cave on Tuesday, October 20 starting at 6:30 pm ($10 for members, $30 to join at the door and attend for free). There will be drink specials, free food and two-for-one margaritas.

And don't forget to get your limited edition I Bike Queens t-shirt, only $25, while supplies last!

Visit transalt.org/queens for details.

Bikes, Cameras, Beers: PSA Tickets on Sale Now

Transportation Alternatives presents a special evening screening of Public Service Announcements to promote why Biking Rules in NYC! Over 80 artists submitted new and creative images, documentaries, narratives and animations that promote safe, civic-minded cycling as part of T.A.'s Biking Rules campaign.

Come see the premiere of jury-selected PSA entries at BAMcinématek. The evening will include prizes and a special reception afterward with free beer courtesy of the Brooklyn Brewery.

The Biking Rules PSA Competition and Festival
Tuesday, November 17th
7:00 pm
BAMcinématek
30 Lafayette Ave
Brooklyn, NY
Advance tickets available at: bikingrules.org/tickets

Proceeds from advance tickets support Transportation Alternatives.

Tour de Bronx

New York's largest free cycling event, the Tour de Bronx, will be held on Sunday, October 18. Now in its fifteenth year, this family-friendly ride through the Boogie Down is always a real hit. You can register here.

If you'd like to be part of making the Tour de Bronx happen, sign up to volunteer at tourdebronx.org/volunteer.

The Bronx Borough President's office is managing volunteers for this event, but we're looking to our seasoned T.A. veterans to help them out. Please don't hesitate to sign up and help make this ride a success!

Help Win Protected Bike Lanes on 1st and 2nd Avenues

Last weekend, T.A. East Side volunteers were out in force collecting handwritten letters to the DOT in support of protected bike lanes on First and Second Avenues. They collected more than 450 in two days! We'll be out again this weekend from 10 am -3 pm on Saturday and Sunday, and we need more volunteers. Join us at one of our locations on the LES, Midtown East and on the UES. Email Elena at volunteer@transalt.org or call 646-873-6036 to sign up.

Take 35 Seconds to Raise $35,000 for Safer Bike Lanes

Transportation Alternatives has been nominated for a major grant from LiquidNet for Good, and we need your help to win it.

Please take a few seconds to vote for T.A. as your cause of choice. All you need to do is create a login and then vote for Transportation Alternatives. It'll only take a few seconds, and your vote could go a long way.