Press Release

At 5:45 PM on Tuesday, May 5th, a car plowed into the recreational lane on Central Park's loop drive, striking and seriously injuring a bicyclist. The victim, a 22-year old male, was sent to the hospital for emergency care, had his toes amputated, and may lose his entire foot. Police reports indicate the driver was speeding before sideswiping the cyclist and then jumping the curb. The cyclist, according to the police report, was traveling with traffic in the bicycle lane when struck.

New York City cyclists and pedestrians are reveling in the taxi strike today, enjoying streets that are almost free of the usually rampant reckless and speeding and aggressive drivers, as well as horn honking and screeching brakes. While few city agencies collect data specifically documenting the frequency of crashes involving taxis, city residents who get around by hoof and pedal power know from experience that cabbies under pressure to earn fares beyond their daily overhead are one of the greatest causes of danger and chaos on city streets.

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: Cyclists streaming over the Brooklyn & Queensboro Bridges; Borough Hall breakfasts in all five boroughs; and cyclists on the Staten Island Ferry.

In reaction to the calm of Manhattan without cabs last week, five leading environmental and transportation groups will release a 10-point plan for permanently reducing traffic and improving traffic safety. The groups are urging Mayor Giuliani to adopt the plan as part of his efforts to calm and control traffic in New York City.

The groups include Transportation Alternatives, the Straphangers Campaign, the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, the Natural Resources Defense Council and the Environmental Defense Fund.

Transportation Alternatives, a 5,000 member group which represents NYC pedestrians and bicyclists and is a leading advocate for traffic safety, has called on the Mayor, City Council and Taxi and Limousine Commission to couple tougher safety standards with higher pay for cab drivers as part of a campaign to improve public safety and professionalize the taxi industry.

GREAT VISUAL - Families and pets will picnic along side of speeding cars.

What: Protest/Picnic
When: Wednesday, July 1- 5:30-6:30 PM
Where: Grassy triangle inside Grand Army plaza entrance, Prospect Park

In neighborhoods around the city truck traffic with its cacophony of diesel engines, noxious fumes and earthquake-level vibrations, is getting worse. With truck traffic expanding, NYC is turning to some downright illegal tactics.

Not only are the more trucks, but they're bigger and illegal. NYC traffic laws states that trucks can be no longer than 55 feet in length.
Community contacts: Carl Rosenstein
Sandy Balboza 718-852-7418

Look out, Transportation Alternatives' 9th Annual New York City Century Bike Tour is fast on your wheel! On Saturday, September 12th 3,000 riders from NY and beyond will hit the streets, greenways, and parks of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx for a tour like no other.

Look out! Transportation Alternatives' 9th Annual New York City Century Bike Tour is on your wheel! On Saturday, September 12th 3,000 riders from NYC and beyond will hit the streets, greenways, and parks of Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx for the ultimate urban adventure.