Transportation Alternatives
2025 Impact Report
Transforming Streets
for People
Friends,
As I look back on this year, I’m filled with gratitude for the movement we’ve built together. 2025 was a landmark year for New York City — and for everyone who believes that our streets should be safe, vibrant public spaces for all. From the long-fought-for launch of the Congestion Relief Zone to the first-ever pedestrian-only path on the Queensboro Bridge, the progress we’ve made didn’t come easily. It came from years of organizing, from families who turned their grief into action, and from advocates who refused to accept the status quo on our streets. These victories remind us that change is not only possible — it’s already happening.
One of the most joyful moments of the year came when the NYC Century returned after a five-year hiatus. Thousands of riders took to the streets for this signature ride, celebrating the freedom, community, and hope that biking represents in our city. The energy that day was a powerful reminder of what we’re fighting for: a New York where everyone, of every age and ability, can move safely and joyfully through their city.
This year also saw congestion pricing finally become a reality, and the results speak for themselves: cleaner air, faster commutes, fewer crashes, and more people choosing transit. We launched the New Bicycle Blueprint — a bold plan to make New York a world-class biking city — and we saw the Stop Super Speeders bill move through the State Senate, a crucial step toward holding reckless drivers accountable. Every one of these moments was driven by you — the volunteers, members, and supporters who power Transportation Alternatives. Together, we’ve proven that advocacy works, that local leadership matters, and that a safer city is within reach.
As we look ahead to 2026, we have so much more to do. A new mayoral administration offers a rare opportunity to accelerate the transformation of our streets — to deliver on the promise of congestion pricing, expand car-free School Streets, and build a truly connected network for walking, biking, and public transit. We’ll keep pushing for safe streets legislation in Albany, and we’ll keep growing our grassroots movement in every borough, because lasting change starts at street level.
Every safer crossing, every new busway, every family spared from tragedy — it all starts with your support. If you believe that every New Yorker deserves to walk, bike, and ride safely, I hope you’ll stand with us as we take the next steps together. Thank you for being part of this movement — for believing in the power of people to transform their city, one street at a time.
Onwards,
Ben Furnas
Executive Director
2025
BY THE NUMBERS
Project Spotlight
2025
New Busway Coming to 34th Street!
As part of the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, New Yorkers will get a new busway on 34th Street along with major improvements to Broadway, two longtime campaigns supported by TA’s Manhattan Activist Committee.
With a dedicated, car-free 34th Street Busway, and a fully pedestrianized Broadway, this plan puts people first on some of our busiest streets — making Midtown a model for New York City and the world. We will continue to fight any federal resistance to these improvements to 34th street!
No New Highway in the Bronx
In response to years of community organizing, NYSDOT scrapped a harmful “traffic diversion” project that would have expanded the Cross Bronx Expressway and worsened air pollution for more than 64,000 residents living nearby. We were proud to be a part of the Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion Coalition — a united front of Bronx residents, community leaders, and environmental advocates fighting for clean air and community health — to secure this win.
Congestion Pricing Works!
After a hard-fought victory — including lawsuits, federal delays, and fierce political opposition — the data is in and congestion pricing is exceeding expectations. Since tolling took effect in January, the congestion relief zone has seen faster commutes, cleaner air, and even more business activity. Traffic fatalities and serious injuries are down and transit ridership is up, all with no increase in traffic in surrounding areas like the Bronx. Congestion pricing is fulfilling its promise for safer streets and better quality of life in New York City.
The Queensboro Bridge is
Now for Everyone
This spring, TA led NYC-DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez, Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, Senator Kristen Gonzalez, Council Member Julie Won, and activists from across New York City in the first group march over the brand-new pedestrian path on the Queensboro Bridge. For the past several years, bikes and pedestrians were forced to share one narrow pathway, leading to countless preventable crashes and injuries. Space for everyone means safety for everyone, and we know countless injuries and crashes will be prevented with this new and expanded space.
Stop Super Speeders
Passes State Senate
After months of dedicated advocacy by TA and Families for Safe Streets (FSS), the New York State Senate passed the Stop Super Speeders bill, legislation that would require speed limiters to be installed in cars that receive 16 or more school zone speeding tickets in a year. These drivers are especially dangerous: they’re twice as likely to be involved in a crash resulting in serious injury
or death.
The Senate’s passage is real progress, and it sets up another critical fight for the 2026 session: getting this life-saving bill passed by the State Assembly, then signed into law by the governor.
‘Bicycle Blueprint’ Lays the Framework for NYC to Become a World-Class Bicycle City
On Bike Anywhere Day, TA introduced the New Bicycle Blueprint: A Plan to Make New York a World-Class Bicycling City, a new plan to make our city a place where all New Yorkers can get around effortlessly by bike and reach one million daily bike trips by 2030. Our Blueprint is a call to action and a roadmap for our city’s leaders to create reliable access to a high-quality, connected, all-ages-and-abilities bike lane network, a bike share system, and safe storage space for bicycles. When more New Yorkers choose to bike, we’ll all benefit with cleaner air, less traffic, safer streets, and even a stronger local economy.
FEATURED ACTIVISTS
"I have had nothing but positive experiences being on the youth committee since I joined in late 2024. It is exciting getting the opportunity to lead the Expand Student OMNY campaign through numerous milestones with the help of my fellow committee members who are so dedicated to their work. I am so thankful for being part of such a welcoming and hardworking community that is so passionate about our cause, while developing valuable new skills as a high school student."
Juniper Wang
Youth Activist
Expand Student OMNY Campaign Lead
“After my 13-year old daughter Niyell was killed by an SUV last year, I decided to put my pain into purpose as a way to cope with the unbearable loss. I found a welcoming community at Families for Safe Streets and have poured my energy into the Stop Super Speeders campaign, traveling six times to Albany to meet state legislators, taking interviews with press, and speaking at rallies.”
Darnell Sealy-McCrorey
Families for Safe Streets Activist
Building a Better
New York City in 2026
Next year, building on the promise of a new mayoral administration, Transportation Alternatives will advance a bold agenda to transform New York City’s streets into ones that truly serve New Yorkers.
Citywide
Action
New York City is a city of pedestrians — and we’re working to make sure everyone has a safe place to walk. We’re pushing for mass pedestrianization citywide, implementation of Sammy’s Law — which will finally bring a 20 mph speed limit to much of the five boroughs — more car-free School Streets for kids to play without fear, and universal daylighting so everyone can cross the street safely.
We'll fight to make cycling more affordable and accessible citywide by strengthening and better connecting our greenways, addressing gaps in our citywide protected bike lane network, and pushing for citywide access to Citi Bike and secure bike parking. 2026 is also time for the next iteration of the NYC Streets Plan, and we'll fight for a vision that ensures accountability and implementation across every neighborhood.
We haven’t forgotten about New York City’s over one million daily bus riders. To deliver faster, more reliable bus service to all New Yorkers, we're working to ensure that every bus is on time, quick, and fare-free.
Grassroots Power at
Street Level
Through hyper-local campaigns in all five boroughs, powered by our network of grassroots activist committees, we’ll push for policies that put people before cars and make walking, biking, and transit real options for every New Yorker.
Statewide
Safety
At the state level, we’ll keep up the fight to Stop Super Speeders, pushing for speed limiters in the cars of the worst repeat speeders. We will ensure new transit investments are prioritized in the state budget, and will work in coalition with other leading advocates on legislation such as the SAFE Streets Act, Safe Passage Laws, and a new statewide E-bike Rebate program.
Join the
Movement
With your support, Transportation Alternatives will continue to lead campaigns that translate grassroots energy into lasting policy change — turning neighborhood advocacy into citywide impact, and making every street a safe, shared space for all.
WHO WE ARE
Janet Liff, Chair
Hope Reeves, Vice Chair
Stanley Toussaint, Treasurer
Jake Barton
Christine Berthet
Karl Chen
Lucia Deng
Daniel Kaizer
Mary Beth Kelly
Andy Lerner
Board of
Directors
Staff
Henry Rinehart, Co-Chair
David Shephard, Co-Chair
Michael Smith, Co-Chair
Marc Agger
Lee Altman
Curtis Archer
George H. Beane
Ken Coughlin
Lucia Deng
Michael Drinkard
Doug Ellis
Ed García Conde
Paul Gertner
Dereka Hendon-Barnes
Advisory
Council
Gentry Lock
Adam Mansky
Edmundo Martinez
Martin Mignot
Wiley Norvell
Alison Sant
Keith Tubbs
Ken Weine
Claire Weisz
Alex Herzan
Rich Kassel
Mary Beth Kelly
Anna Luten
Stephen Lyle
John Lynch
Richard B. Miller
Neysa Pranger
Jeff Prant
Matthew Reich
Shabazz Stuart
Steve Vaccaro
Lloyd Westerman
Howard Yaruss
Advocacy
Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Director, Public Affairs
Anna Berlanga, Bronx & Uptown Organizer
Kanza El Hamel, Field & Equitable Partnerships Coordinator
Mae Francke, Queens Organizer - Research and Design Strategist
Nina Guidice, Policy Manager
Shawn Garcia, Director of Advocacy
Emily Jacobi, Manhattan Organizer
Lauren Newman, Youth & Schools Organizer
Rose Uscianowski, Staten Island & South Brooklyn Organizer
Communications & Design
Charlie Baker, Associate Director of Digital Media & Marketing
Michelle Deme, Digital Communications Coordinator
Alexa Sledge, Director of Communications
Pink Supakarn, Graphic Designer
Development & Events
Eric Burghoffer, Events Consultant
Aubrie Fennecken, Director of Development
Amy Klein, Senior Development Advisor
Nathan Lynch, Development Manager
Nicole R., Events & Partnerships Manager
Families for Safe Streets
Thomas DeVito, Families for Safe Streets Director
Dahlia Goldenberg, Families for Safe Streets Associate Director
Bobby Preti, Families for Safe Streets Senior Social Worker
Alexis Sfikas, Families for Safe Streets Organizer
Research & Policy
Em Friedenberg, Research Manager
Jack Greenwood, Research Associate
Philip Miatkowski, Senior Director of Research & Policy
Jessie Singer, Senior Strategist & Head Writer
Operations
Megan Eiss, Senior Director of People and Operations
Jeffrey Lee, CRM Manager
PJ Mead, Associate Director of Finance & HR Administrator
Alicia Perre-Dowd, Technology & Operations Manager