Traffic poses an unacceptable hazard to the park's increasing number of recreational users.

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If Not You, Who? If Not Oct. 24, When? If Not Central Park, Where?
Dear Reader,

Nowhere else in the world is traffic so out of place.

And, nowhere else in the world would a traffic ban have a more resounding impact.

Banning traffic from Central Park's Loop Drive would do more than benefit the park's 25 million annual visitors: it would send the world a signal that, in this age of global warming and oil insecurity, we are shifting our transportation priorities.

Our campaign to get cars off the Central Park loop drive is now one of the largest grassroots initiatives in the history of New York City.

With nearly 100,000 petition signers and scores of health, transportation, recreation and civic groups now behind us, we have a real shot at winning a trial closure of the loop drive for the summer of 2006.

This trial closure will confirm what numerous traffic studies have suggested: the benefits of a car-free loop drive far outweigh any potential costs.

Join hundreds of T.A. members and park users to call for a Summer '06 trial closure at the Cars Out for Summer! Celebration at 4:45pm October 24th in Central Park.

The celebration will feature representatives from several park user groups and rousing oratory from leading advocates for a car-free Central Park, including Peggy Shepard of West Harlem Environmental Action and Stacy Creamer of the Central Park Track Club.

For three decades we have struggled. With your help, we will win.

RSVP to attend the Cars Out for Summer! Celebration. We also need volunteers to help make this event a huge success. Email volunteer@transalt.org and sign up today.

Sincerely,

Paul Steely White
Executive Director
Transportation Alternatives
Defend Your Right to Lock Your Bike
With only one bike rack for every 35 cyclists in New York City, it is out of pure necessity that thousands of city cyclists lock their bikes to signs and lampposts everyday.

But in the eyes of the City of New York, bikes locked to signs, lampposts and other fixtures are "abandoned," and subject to seizure under the City Administrative Code 16-122(b).

To stop the City from seizing lawfully parked bikes and to affirm New Yorkers' right to park their bikes at street fixtures City Councilmember Margarita Lopez introduced City Council bill 685, which, if passed, would protect cyclists' right to lock their bikes to street fixtures.

The bill needs more support and is awaiting a hearing in the City Council transportation committee. Write to your City Councilmember and asked them to support Intro 685 and logical outdoor bike parking rules. E-mail your Councilmember at nyccouncil.info/constituent/contact_member.cfm.

Has your bike been seized by the City of New York? Email T.A.: bike@transalt.org.
Traffic Got You Down? Join the Citywide Coalition for Traffic Relief
Fed up with traffic danger, pollution and congestion? Want to do something about it? The Citywide Coalition for Traffic Relief is a new coalition of community groups that is banding together to prove to City Hall that people from all over NYC want an end to nightmare traffic.

If you represent a neighborhood association, business group, or other grassroots organization, go to trafficrelief.org to endorse the Charter for NYC Traffic Relief.
NYC Bound: London's Ace of Public Space
"...car dominance should be substituted by a better balance between vehicular traffic, public transport, cycling and pedestrian traffic."

-Jan Gehl
Jan Gehl, the urban designer helping to transform London into a pedestrian and bicycling paradise, will share his formula for success with New York City during the week of November 14-18.

Patricia Brown, the chief executive of the Central London Partnership, is one of Gehl's most influential supporters. Brown, who is known for bringing New York City's Business Improvement District model to London, is now, with Gehl's help, teaching New York City a lesson: the economic health of dense commercial districts has more to do with accommodating pedestrians than with accommodating traffic.

According to Brown:

"Jan Gehl has an exceptional and unique way of looking at cities and communicating what he sees. [His approach] is fundamental to ensuring that London is a successful and attractive city that continues to attract visitors, shoppers and new businesses."

Expectations are high that Gehl can help New York City regain the competitive edge it once held over cities like London and Paris.

To attend one of Gehl's presentations email streets@transalt.org.

Learn more about Gehl's plans to transform London's streets in "Towards a Fine City for People."

Don't miss insightful interviews with both Gehl and Brown in Contested Terrain, the upcoming T.A. documentary film (see below for details).
Streets for People en Español
Transportation Alternatives is proud to announce the release of Calles para la Gente, the Spanish language version of Streets for People, T.A.'s popular guide to winning safer and quieter streets in your community.

La organización Alternativos para el Transporte orgullosamente anuncia el estreno de Calles para la Gente, su guía para lograr calles tranquilas y seguras en su comunidad. Esta herramienta lo ayudará a usted a obtener esos cambios lógicos a sus calles residenciales que ya ha pedido y querido por mucho tiempo. Aprenda cómo obtener un resalto (policía acostado) o de los varios instrumentos disponibles en las manos de sus gobernantes para mejorar los problemas de tráfico en su vecindario. No se quede atrás, ordene Calles para la Gente y demande la seguridad y tranquilidad que se merece.

Si vive en uno de los cinco condados de Nueva York, ordene su copia gratuita de Calles para la Gente por teléfono llamando al 212.629.8080, por e-mail a info@transalt.org o por correo:

Transportation Alternatives
Calles Para La Gente
127 26th Street, Suite 1002
New York, NY 10001

Favor de incluir su dirección y su nombre completo en su correspondencia.
Be a T.A. Street Activist
Be part of a special new group that T.A. is creating to put more public pressure on key officials and improve walking and bicyling.

As a Street Activist, you will receive dedicated action alerts asking you to take one brief and easy action (such as sending an e-fax or email to an elected official) to win safer streets, better bike parking, car-free parks, and other important improvements to NYC's bicycling and walking environment.

To become a Street Activist and receive dedicated action alerts, click here.
October is a Big Time for Volunteering!

Do you want better facilities for people who walk and ride bikes?

This fall Transportation Alternatives needs your help to stuff envelopes, conduct bike counts, teach people how to ride bikes, report street hazards to the Department of Transportation and more. If you'd like to join T.A.'s volunteer corps, please email volunteer@transalt.org. You can also check out some volunteer opportunities at Transportation Alternatives on our volunteer page at transalt.org/takeaction/volunteer.html. We really need your help in the coming weeks!
Upcoming Events:

October 16: Car-Free Grand Concourse

Come out to the Grand Concourse between 161st and 167th streets on Sunday, October 16th from 12pm to 5pm.

There will be bike riding lessons for kids and adults, free bike helmets from Trek, and free water bottles and t-shirts from Transportation Alternatives.

Other activities include interactive healthy cooking instruction, a teen "iron chef" competition, basketball clinic with members of the NY Knicks, fruits and veggies from Just Food Bronx, walking tours and more. For more information, or to volunteer, email info@transalt.org.

October 23: Tour de Bronx

Join Transportation Alternatives and the Bronx Borough President's Office on Sunday, October 23rd for the largest free cycling event in New York City. For over a decade cyclists have discovered the beauty of bicycling in the Bronx along the 25- and 40-mile routes. Don't miss out -- register today at tourdebronx.org!

October 24: Cars Out for Summer! Celebration in Central Park

Come rally with T.A. and hundreds of park users as we call for a 3-month trial closure of Central Park's loop drive in 2006.

To attend, you must RSVP here.

November 17: Film Screening of Contested Terrain

Save the date for the world premiere of Contested Terrain, a T.A. produced documentary, on November 17. Featuring exclusive interviews with luminaries like Ken Jackson, Mike Wallace, Patricia Brown and Bob Kiley, the 60-minute documentary film:

  • showcases the rich history of street life in New York City prior to the introduction of the automobile;
  • examines how the introduction of the automobile irrevocably altered the policy prerogatives, street-based activities and overall experience of urban life;
  • assesses the current situation in regards to commuters, pedestrians and those seeking experiences in outdoor spaces;
  • presents examples of alternatives for urban living where curtailing automobile use has improved air quality, mitigated noise pollution and enriched commercial, recreational and community interaction. To this end, comparisons are made between New York and Paris, London and Copenhagen.

To find out more about Contested Terrain, or to sign up to attend the premiere, please email streets@transalt.org.
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127 West 26th Street, Suite 1002, New York, NY, 10001
info@transalt.org; Phone: 212-629-8080; Fax: 212-629-8334