Flooding Response, Serious Injuries Dashboard, and E-bikes
The climate crisis isn’t coming, it’s here.
New York City was under water last week — just days after leaders made lofty promises of action during Climate Week. We don’t have time for more studies — we need decisive leadership to combat climate change. Instead, this administration is rolling back critical sustainability projects and ignoring recommendations from its own team of experts.
Low-income, non-white, and disabled New Yorkers are even more vulnerable to the effects of extreme flooding. Heavy rain, like we saw last week, makes asphalt and concrete surfaces more susceptible to flooding. Streets make up 75% of our public space, and they're impervious to water. Flood risk increases threefold when asphalt and concrete surfaces expand by as little as 1%.
We must expand the proven tools we already use to protect ourselves: new bioswales, trees, and green space.
This weather endangers New Yorkers, destroys homes, and cripples our subway. Cities need solutions that address both climate change and inequality together. We can’t drive our way out of the climate crisis, and Mayor Adams can’t continue to put cars above the health & safety of our neighbors. We can’t wait: our leaders must deliver sustainable infrastructure and incentivize greener ways of getting around.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
We released the first-ever public dashboard for tracking serious injuries in New York City. Despite life-altering consequences, serious injuries from crashes are rarely covered in the news. Every year, these crashes leave thousands of New Yorkers with permanent disabilities, often requiring months of recovery and leading to financial hardship. Achieving Vision Zero means eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries. New Yorkers' safety is paramount, and Mayor Adams must act now to meet the legal mandates of the NYC Streets Plan.
E-bike registration will not make our streets safer. Mopeds are already required to be licensed and registered, and they do not belong in bike lanes. Right now, there is legislation in the City Council that would require e-bikes, including pedal-assist Citi Bikes, to be licensed and registered. Let's be clear: This bill will only place additional burdens on those who rely on e-bikes and scooters and seriously hinder our city's climate goals. As we fight climate change — and prepare for congestion pricing — we should make sustainable transportation easier for ALL New Yorkers.
In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:
Manhattan's first public beach opened this week along the Hudson River, Gothamist reports.
Streetsblog highlights Broadway as a potential blueprint for the Fifth Avenue redesign.
Curbside compost in Brooklyn is now available to all residents this week, Gothamist reports.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Come join us for a Safe Streets Happy Hour. Can't make it to all of our Vision Zero Cities Conference? For only $30 you can join us for our Safe Streets Happy Hour on October 19 at Newlab to meet and talk with safe streets advocates from all over! Don't miss out on this opportunity: RSVP now.
Register for the Transportation in New York Summit on October 25. After our Vision Zero Cities Conference, make sure to check out City & State’s Transportation Summit. During this event, experts from across various sectors will examine the current state of New York's transportation systems, break down recent legislative actions, and examine future needs of New York. Get tickets today and help enhance New York's transportation systems!
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Demand action to stop bike rider deaths next Wednesday with the NYC bike family. 2023 is on track to be the deadliest year under Vision Zero for bike riders. Mayor Adams must invest in proven solutions to stop crashes. Ignoring essential street safety projects, legal mandates, and dangerous streets will only intensify this crisis. Join us at Union Square North at 6 p.m. for a ride to City Hall. At 7:30, we’ll rally and demand action from Mayor Adams. Make your voice heard.
