April 18: The Crash Tax explained, plus Bike Month and Trash Madness
While less than half of New York City households own cars, all of us pay for the cost of crashes. Traffic crashes cost New York State residents more than $18 billion each year — more than any other state. It’s a “crash tax” that we each pay — covering lost productivity, road repair, litigation, and emergency services — to the tune of $1,288 per adult every year.
This Tax Day, we’re calling for the sort of real change that puts an end to the “crash tax.” We should be redesigning our roads for safety — protecting each of us from the harm and the cost of crashes. Instead, New Yorkers are left with medical bills, sick days, and life-altering injury — while roads remain unsafe.
On the state level, we must pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act this year. This life-saving package of eight bills will redesign streets across the state with safety in mind, allow lower speed limits, and provide basic legal rights to crash victims.
In New York City, we can build a future that isn’t burdened by the cost of crashes and the negative effects of cars. Through NYC 25x25, we can reimagine our streets as vibrant public spaces, sustainable routes around the city, and so much more.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Families for Safe Streets went to Albany. Last weekend, FSS members met with lawmakers at the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Caucus’s legislative conference in Albany to share their stories and why we need to pass the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act this session. See photos from the day.
Here’s a quick Bike Match explainer. Our latest TikTok shows you just how easy participating in Bike Match is: Fill out a form, meet with your match, and exchange a bike! If you have a bike you no longer need or are looking for a ride, visit our website to participate in the free program.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
Electric cars are often touted as the green future, but the massive, heavy batteries powering new electric SUVs and trucks could make traffic crashes worse, reports Bloomberg. The sustainable solution to cars isn’t more cars — it’s walking, biking, micromobility, and public transit.
Could the NYC Streets Plan kickstart a bike revolution? Read Momentum Mag’s new story on how fully funding the plan — and its hundreds of miles of protected bike lanes — will get NYC on track to a more equitable, sustainable future.
After the previous administration put the Fifth Avenue busway on hold, we’ve been waiting for an update from the new administration on its status. After reading Streetsblog’s update, sign our petition and let your Council Members know you want to Move Fifth Forward.
Two Things to Do
Get ready for Bike Month! Want to set a challenge for yourself this spring? Bike Month is back, and that means your chance to compete and bike the most in the month of May is on! It’s 100 percent free to register, and you could win some cool giveaways and prizes. Get registered and gather your friends to compete all month and embrace the warm weather on your bike!
Support our Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon team. TA’s runners take off next week and need your support to get across the finish line. Meet our runners and support TA by donating to their fundraising pages.
One Action To Take Now
Vote in Trash Madness. Did your March Madness bracket get busted? Did you blow your bracket in the first round? Do you miss trash talking with your friends about teams? Well we’ve got great news for you: Introducing Trash Madness, NYC’s premier tournament of trash! See how you can play along when voting starts next week.
Thanks for reading! To all who celebrate, we wish you a safe and happy Passover, Ramadan, and Easter.