Bedford Avenue Advocacy Update: Rallying for a Safer Avenue
On Bedford Avenue last Saturday, we joined a coalition of transit advocates and elected officials calling on the Adams administration to fulfill its long-awaited promise of installing a fully protected bike lane from Dean Street to Flushing Avenue.
Despite assurances from City Hall, progress toward implementing a protected bike lane and enhancing intersections for safety on Bedford Avenue remains stagnant. Bedford Avenue is one of the most dangerous streets in our city, and it is imperative that the city acts promptly to safeguard all New Yorkers who walk or bike along the corridor.
A big shout out to our Brooklyn Committee for hosting this event to hold Mayor Adams accountable to his promise of making Bedford safer and better. The outpouring of support was palpable, with neighbors, local leaders, and elected officials coming together in solidarity.
A safer Bedford benefits each and every one of us. Now is the time for Mayor Adams to honor its commitment to upgrade Bedford Avenue. Join our movement by signing our petition.
No more delays, no more excuses: We need a better Bedford Avenue now!
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
See how Spatial Equity NYC reveals inequalities in the Rockaways. The Rockaways are notorious for severe flooding, and the impact is felt disproportionately across City Council districts. Council District 32 bears the brunt, with residents facing flooding over three times more frequently than the citywide average. Spatial Equity NYC reveals that the top 10 City Council districts grappling with the most flooding are home to 32% more Black residents compared to the average district. These disparities underscore systemic issues. Addressing environmental neglect in these areas is crucial for achieving equity. Implementing solutions like tree gutters with tree-lined curb extensions and water-absorbing green medians can make our city more vibrant, resilient, and fair for all.
E-bike licensing won’t make our streets safer. Intro 606 would force nearly 100,000 New Yorkers who ride e-bikes — whether to take their kids to school, commute or pay their bills — to get licensed. We need protected bike lanes, not costly licenses. Bike licensing is costly, ineffective, and will increase police harassment of New Yorkers of color. Send a message now.
In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:
City officials presented the first delivery rest stop and hub in the country this week, according to Streetsblog.
New York City’s Chambers Street and 190th Street Subway Stations set for $100 million renovation to revive their historic charm, reports Gothamist.
Streetsblog reports on Speaker Adams' proposed Streets Plan tracker to hold Mayor Adams's administration accountable for the Streets Plan. We commend Speaker Adams for introducing the accountability tracker — ensuring fairness in project planning and completion across the city.
Queens' Bangladeshi street vendors were forced out two days before Ramadan, leaving streets desolate, reports The City. Traditionally, Jackson Heights vendors thrive during Ramadan, engaging with the local Muslim community and booming in sales.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Join our Queens Children’s March for Street Safety with Senator Ramos. Flushing has tragically endured the highest number of pedestrian fatalities over the past decade, surpassing all other areas in New York City. Over half of the children who lost their lives in the past two years were from Queens. This Friday at 4 p.m., we’ll demand swift and decisive action from our leaders, including passing Sammy’s Law. Join us as we rally for safer streets and call upon our elected officials to take immediate steps towards ensuring the safety of our communities.
Rally with us for fair and equal access to the LIRR. Join us at 10 a.m. on Friday for a rally alongside Council Member Sandy Nurse and transit advocates, urging for crucial improvements at the East New York LIRR Station. While Broadway Junction undergoes a transformative $500 million investment to become a modern, ADA-compliant transit hub, the East New York LIRR station remains overlooked. We need a complete transportation upgrade, not just some piecemeal solution. Join us in demanding fair transit access for East New York
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Sign our petition to return pedestrian access to Trinity Park. Trinity Park, nestled beneath the majestic arches of the Manhattan Bridge and the BQE, stands as one of New York City's largest tree-filled parks. Yet, despite its potential, it remains largely inaccessible to the public. Envisioned as a grand entrance to the Manhattan Bridge, the park was fragmented into smaller plots during the construction of the BQE. Today, it's marred by litter, illegal dumping, and encroachment by illegally parked cars, leaving a mere 0.68 acres usable. Sign our petition to reclaim Trinity Park for public use, free from debris.
P.S. Thanks for showing your support for congestion pricing! The MTA’s public comment period closed last week, and comments in support outnumbered opponents two to one.
We’re getting closer to its implementation, and we will continue calling on our leaders to deliver better bus service, more bike lanes, and better bus lanes to ensure the program is set up for success.
