Who's on First? What's on Second?
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Traffic-protected bike lanes are the only way to make Second Avenue safe for everyday cyclists.
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If only Abbott and Costello could see the routine that's unfolding on Manhattan's East Side. It sure isn't as funny as their famous gag, but it's every bit as confusing.
Instead of installing the promised corridor improvements requested by thousands of neighborhood residents, 17 local elected-officials and 4 community boards, the City announced last week that it planned to build only a fraction of the bike lanes it had committed to establishing along First and Second Avenue (the stretch from Houston Street to 34th, instead of all the way to 125th Street) and with a lesser degree of durability for significant stretches (14th street to 23rd street will no longer be fully traffic-protected, but merely a painted curbside lane, similar to Lafayette Street).
Though there are indications that the City will continue its build out of the project in the years to come, without a public timeline and a concrete promise, organizers and volunteers who worked on the project are skeptical.
What they're far more upset about, though, is the significant decrease in efficacy and safety of the lane along Second Avenue that the City plans to complete this year. A painted bike lane stretching from 14th Street to 23rd Street will not provide adequate protection for cyclists, or a pedestrian refuge along a crowded section of street adjacent to a medical facility and a park.
Mayor Bloomberg ought to live up to his promises and realize that half-measures won't do along Second Avenue. A traffic-protected bike lane is what the community agreed on, what the local elected officials asked for, and what the neighborhood needs.
Take Action: Sign this petition. Tell Mayor Bloomberg that Second Avenue deserves a traffic-protected bike lane from 14th Street to 23rd. And stop by our East Side happy hour at BXL East tonight. There'll be good people, cheap drinks and lots of talk about what to do next.
Albany Acts on Bus Cameras
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Bus-lane blockers beware!
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Bus lane enforcement cameras still aren't out of the clearing in the woods along the throughway where all the politicians hang out, but they're on their way. Tuesday afternoon, the New York State Assembly's Transportation Committee voted in favor of a bill that would allow the City to install the devices along 50 miles of designated bus lanes in the five boroughs.
For years, Transportation Committee chair David Gantt (D – Rochester) opposed cameras and his change in position is a huge victory. That this critical addition to the city's traffic enforcement toolbox made it out of his committee is testament to the thousands of T.A. supporters who took action, joined the Bus Brigade and reached out to elected officials in all levels of government.
Now, the future of better bus service in New York City is in the hands of Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver. It's imperative that he hears from you today that New York City needs bus-lane enforcement cameras and that he should support A10201. Please, call Speaker Silver's office right now at 212-312-1420 and tell him to support A10201.
Seriously, call him right now at 212-312-1420 and tell him to support A10201. Your phone call can carry the day.
Tour de Queens Registration Opens on June 20th
Mark your calendars. Registration for the Tour de Queens opens on June 20th!
Join T.A. on July 11th for a leisurely paced, 20-mile trip starting at the Queens Museum of Art in Flushing Meadows Corona Park. The ride is open to cyclists of all ages and skill levels. The course is mostly flat and will go through parks and neighborhoods in eastern and northern Queens.
Registration (just $5 for T.A. members and $10 for anyone else) is required. Limited day-of registration will be available at the start. Helmets are required for all riders 14 and under.
Go to tourdequeens.org for more information.
