T.A. in the News
Paul Steely White, Transportation Alternatives' executive director, told us: "These safety improvements are a long time coming." He too suggested, though, that there's still work to be done. "Calming traffic, increasing public space and improving Delancey Street for pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers are critical first steps in making this street safer."
-- “Deadly Delancey: What To Expect With The Street Safety Plan” Village Voice, 5/29. What the NYPD Won't Investigate
That less-than-one-half of one percent of crashes is the purview of the Accident Investigation Squad. And they only investigate if, according to the hospital, someone is killed or “likely to die.” That threshold -- dead or likely to die -- is why so few debilitating crashes get proper scrutiny. Often, the NYPD’s strict distinction means that when someone passes away in the days or hours following a crash, there is no investigation -- even when the victim is hospitalized in critical condition. That's what happened in the crash that killed Clara Heyworth. Clara Heyworth, 28 years old, was struck last July while walking in Fort Greene, Brooklyn by a driver suspected of speeding, driving drunk and driving without a license. But all of those allegations -- taken from the notes of the local precinct officers who reported to the scene -- remain allegations. Because the Accident Investigation Squad did not report to the scene of the crash that killed Clara Heyworth, no evidence was collected. Despite the fact that she was critically injured, the hospital did not immediately designate Clara as “likely to die.” Not “likely to die”? According to the NYPD, your crash doesn’t deserve an investigation. Four days after Clara was taken off life support, the Accident Investigation Squad finally reported to the scene. By that time wind and rain disappeared skid marks, the driver’s blood-alcohol level returned to normal and video surveillance evidence was overwritten. The driver who killed Clara Heyworth may never be punished because NYPD policy meant they didn’t show up to investigate until it was too late.
Crossing Delancey
After decades of T.A. advocacy a new street hierarchy is finally coming to the Lower East Side and pedestrians are its priority. We won! The new Delancey Street will turn a little space for automobiles into a lot of room for people, with crosswalks, benches, planters and trees. The result is going to be statistically safer bicycling and walking. Teresa Pedroza is a longtime resident of the Lower East Side, and the grandmother of Deshane Santana. In January, Deshane was killed while crossing Delancey Street. She was 12-years-old. “Every day something happens there,” says Teresa. “In the last ten years, 50 people were killed on Delancey. Deshane was the youngest.” That’s when Teresa Pedroza, along with local housing and preservation organization Good Old Lower East Side, State Senator Squadron, Council Member Chin, Congressperson Velazquez, Assembly Speaker Silver and Manhattan Borough President Stringer joined T.A. to demand a safer Delancey Street. Led by a bold, local voice for change, success wasn’t far behind. On June 11th, the Department of Transportation will break ground on a safer Delancey Street. Included in the improvements, 14 shortened pedestrian crossings will narrow traffic lanes and calm traffic and a pedestrian plaza will create public space where older New Yorkers can sit while waiting to cross Delancey Street. “There are two schools in less than a half mile, and those kids have to cross the street. The old people can’t make it across the streets either. Delancey Street is ten lanes of traffic. There is just not enough time to cross,” explains Teresa. Now, because she spoke up, and thousands of other New Yorkers did too, there will be more time to cross Delancey Street. The Dignities of Commuting by Bicycle
With all those newbies, there's a soaring demand for the benefits that come with bicycling. Requests for bicycle racks and lanes are up, and new participants in T.A.’s Bike Friendly Businesses program are offering new discounts every day. Here’s some of the extraordinary ways New Yorkers are boosting the benefits of their bicycle commute:
In the spring and summer, T.A. members have better weekends than your average New Yorker. Others’ Sundays may pass with brunch and chores, while T.A. members are on a bicycle adventure. As a T.A. member, you get a discount on all T.A. bicycle tours. Next up: The Tour de Queens. This tour sells out every time, so T.A. members should register today. Not a T.A. member but desperate for this deep discount? Become a T.A. member when you register for the Tour de Queens, and you’ll save a whopping 50 percent off the cost of membership. Join today and save. Rally for Better Crash Investigation
T.A. needs your help to demand the NYPD change its crash investigation policy and start investigating crashes that result in serious injury. Stand up for traffic justice! Make sure our demands are heard by adding your voice to the mix at T.A.’s City Hall rally. Tell the NYPD: Crash investigation is critical! Join T.A. and the family of crash victim Clara Heyworth on June 11th when we demand Mayor Bloomberg fix the NYPD’s crash investigation policy. Rally for Better Crash Investigation Monday, June 11, 2012 9 am City Hall Manhattan Tour de Queens
Taste the lemon ices at the Lemon Ice King of Corona! See the Unisphere at the historic grounds of the 1939 and 1964 World’s Fairs! Tour New York City’s biggest borough! Top-notch attractions are a guaranteed part of the Tour de Queens. The Little Bay Park Rest Stop has Queens' most scenic waterfront view. And Flushing Meadows Corona Park isn't only Queens' largest; it's the best place outside a movie theater to see where Men in Black was filmed. Grab your bicycle and on July 8th, take a ride with T.A. on the serene, green 20-mile Tour de Queens. Thousands of New Yorkers will tour the best of Queens with you. Register today to reserve your spot. Tour de Queens Sunday, July 8, 2012 8 am Register Today NYC Century Bike Tour
The NYC Century Bike Tour hits the streets in September, but now’s the time to decide to ride. Register today and you’ll save $25 off the cost of the ride. NYC Century Bike Tour Sunday, September 9, 2012 Central Park, Manhattan or Prospect Park, Brooklyn Register Today Bike Share as Public Transit
Join Caroline Samponaro, T.A.’s own Director of Bicycle Advocacy, and transit blogger Ben Kabak, editor of Second Avenue Sagas, for a discussion about bike share and public transit at the New York Transit Museum. Bike Share as Public Transit Wednesday, June 13, 2012 6:30 - 7:30 pm New York Transit Museum Boerum Place and Schermerhorn Street Brooklyn Envision the Harlem River Greenway
Harlem River Greenway Visioning Monday, June 11, 2012 6 - 8 pm Bronx Museum of the Arts 1040 Grand Concourse The Bronx |
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