Dear Reader,
I still do not remember what happened on the evening of March 29, when I sustained a life-threatening injury. A few months into my recovery, many reporters, colleagues and friends began asking me versions of the same question: "In light of your crash, and in light of the rash of cyclists who have died in traffic crashes this spring and summer, has your view of cycling changed?"; Yes, it has. Before my crash, my view was that safe streets are prerequisite for New York to become a bicycling city. Now, after suffering a severe bike crash yet maintaining my own commitment to bicycling, and after witnessing the resiliency of other city cyclists who, despite the recent tragedies, continue to ride, I see things differently: New York City is already a bicycling city. I now see that safe streets or no, New Yorkers are going to ride, and they are going to do so in increasing numbers. Bicycling makes so much sense, especially given current health, energy and urban planning trends. There are now over 120,000 New Yorkers who ride everyday. Given that the number of New Yorkers who bike is soaring, the question is: How many more people have to die or be injured before the City of New York adopts modern street design standards, installs bike lanes and paths and traffic calming as a matter of course and finishes its own 12-year old Bicycle Master Plan?  The forthcoming summer issue of Transportation Alternatives Magazine addresses this question in more detail. The main article highlights the lives of four city cyclists who were killed by drivers this spring and summer, and explains what a growing coalition of city cycling groups is doing to prevent future tragedies. Every T.A. member receives a copy of the magazine as part of their membership package. Thanks to the many cyclists, walkers and T.A. supporters who sent me support and encouragement for my recovery. See you on the streets. Noah Budnick |
Volunteer for the NYC Century Bike Tour We need volunteers for the NYC Century Bike Tour on Sunday, September 11th! If you know how to patch a flat tire and have a friendly attitude, you can sign up to be a volunteer marshal on the ride. If you don't have a bike or a desire to ride one, we'd love to have you at one of our great rest stops or start and finish line in Central Park. Marshals choose how far they ride, and help riders along the way with tricky intersections, directions and flat tires. There are a number of special marshal positions, like on the Brooklyn and Triborough Bridges, where we need extra help. If you choose a special position, you can ride as far as you like before or after your assignment. Rest stop volunteers work at one of six parks of their choice, making sandwiches, cutting up fruit and serving it to the riders. This is a great opportunity for friends or family of a rider who want to help out with the tour. Corporate and community service groups are also welcome. We have opportunities in Central Park, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Prospect Park, Floyd Bennett Field, Alley Pond Park, Astoria Park and Van Cortlandt Park. To sign up online, get a list of all the volunteer positions or for more information, please see our volunteer page. If you have questions, call Annie at 646-973-6008 or email volunteer@transalt.org.
The year's best bike tour is just around the corner. Don't miss your chance to see more of New York City in one day than most people see in a decade! Great Part-time Job! See New York City, Create History Transportation Alternatives seeks responsible, highly motivated individuals to be a part of groundbreaking research this fall. Position: We are hiring people to interview walking shoppers and monitor parking behavior in the Soho area in late September and early October. This is a part-time position requiring at least 15 hours per week for a two week period. Skills: You must be extremely reliable, outgoing and have excellent communications and listening skills. Compensation: Equivalent to $10/hour. Transportation costs will be reimbursed. Apply: Fax your cover letter and resume to 212-629-8334 (Attn: Tresa) or e-mail it to info@transalt.org and indicate "Walking Shoppers Job Search" in the subject line. By e-mail, paste the cover letter into the body of the message and attach the resume in PDF format. Come to our special mailing party on Wednesday, August 31st at the T.A. office.
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| Take the first annual "NYC Stroller Report Card" survey | |
"I would love to see less traffic. I would love that there would be more alternatives to cars. I would love to limit the use of cars in the city..." Sound like your typical New York City bicyclist? Guess again. Believe it or not, this quote was uttered by a New Yorker who prefers four wheels, not two. Stroller moms, dads and nannies feel as bicyclists do: NYC streets are not designed with their needs in mind. To broaden the coalition of New Yorkers who want street space and transportation priority distributed more fairly, we are reaching out to parents who use strollers with the first annual "NYC Stroller Report Card." If you are a parent who uses a stroller, take the brief online survey and let us know what you think about strollering in your neighborhood. Is strollering a dream or do you have problems with congested sidewalks, dangerous intersections and uneven pavement? Take the first annual "NYC Stroller Report Card" survey! Podcast enabled? Interested in hearing how strollering compares to bicycling? Listen to T.A.'s first ever podcast, on strollering in New York City featuring interviews of parents on the street. |
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Still We Ride |
Find out on Monday morning, September 12th, when at a rare public forum, City Department of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall will share her answer to this important question. Weinshall, the agency's commissioner since September 6, 2000, will also answer questions posed by attendees. The event is open to the public, but to attend you must register here: 