February 4: Sneckdowns, parking minimums, e-scooter pilot
If you went outside last weekend during the snow, you may have noticed something: As plows cleared lanes for cars to drive on, what was once a four lane road might have only been two lanes. What was once a vast crosswalk suddenly had a safe extension for pedestrians.
Traffic engineers have a name for this phenomenon: Sneckdowns.
Essentially, Mother Nature brought traffic-calming designs to the city overnight by narrowing streets, tightening turn corners, and slowing drivers down. While the snow will melt, our leaders can make these temporary changes permanent by implementing NYC 25x25 and reclaiming our streets from cars.
Watch this Streetfilms video for more about sneckdowns and the next time it snows, be sure to tag #NYC25x25 in your sneckdown content online!
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Parking minimums could be a thing of the past. State Senator Brad Hoylman introduced a new bill that would stop cities from requiring construction of off-street parking. Parking minimums increase construction costs, encourage driving, and are bad for New York and the environment. This measure was something we called for too in our recent Seven Steps policy agenda for City Hall.
Speed safety cameras work. Fatal crashes decrease 17 percent for every one mph reduction in driving speed and the installation of speed safety cameras led to a 72 percent decline in speeding at safety camera locations citywide. That’s why this year we are working with lawmakers in Albany to ensure that NYC's speed safety camera program is reauthorized and expanded. This measure is a key tool for reaching Vision Zero.
Here’s what we’re reading this week. In the news:
Moving forward: The Senate Transportation Committee advanced two key measures of the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act, including Sammy’s Law. Read more in 1010 WINS.
Council Members take action: Following a series of fatal crashes on the Upper East Side, Council Member Julie Menin called for pedestrian safety improvements in the neighborhood. And this week in Hell’s Kitchen, FSS and TA members joined Council Member Erik Bottcher to call for safety improvements on 10th and 11th Avenues.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttiegeg announced a new road safety strategy last week. Read Curbed to see what advocates — including TA — have to say about it.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Share your feedback on the East Bronx e-scooter pilot. DOT wants to know what you think about the East Bronx e-scooter pilot. Share your thoughts with them in a quick survey.
Join our statewide Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act coalition. We need your voice to pass the full Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act and make New York State’s streets safe. This includes Sammy’s Law, which would give New York City the power to set its own speed limits — which the Senate Transportation Committee just advanced! Take action today by sending a message to your legislators.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Share our job openings with your network. We’re currently hiring a Schools Organizer, Development Coordinator, Families for Safe Streets Upstate Organizer, Manhattan Organizer, and a Senior Director for People & Operations. Do you know someone who would make a great fit in these roles? Invite them to apply.
Thanks for reading!
P.S. We're recruiting runners to fundraise for the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon on April 24, 2022, and we need YOUR help to fill up our team with awesome safe streets advocates. All runners receive guaranteed, free entry to run either the full or half marathon course. Interested? Email sam.brown@transalt.org for more information!