January 6: Seven Steps, Families Bike Brooklyn, Bike Parking Shortage
As Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature were sworn into office this week, we released a new policy platform, Seven Steps for New York State’s Leaders to Transform Our Streets. In the report, we lay out actionable steps for our elected officials to build a New York that puts people — not cars — first.
This is our moment to enact policies that place the safety of people over the convenience of cars. This is our moment to invest in sustainable transportation like biking and public transit. This is our moment to allow New York City to set its own speed limits.
Read the full policy platform to see how we can reclaim street space for people across the state and create a stronger, more resilient New York.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
1️⃣ The city is short on bike parking. DOT pledged to install 10,000 new bike racks by the end of 2022, but they only completed about 6,300. Our Seven Steps policy platform calls for more secure bike parking near transit hubs, and you can read 2021’s bike parking report to see how we can make this a reality.
2️⃣ Make community activism your resolution for 2023. Your City, Your Voice, TA’s free activist training program, returns January 18. Over the course of five weeks, our advocacy team will take you through the basics of crucial community organizing skills. Sign up today.
3️⃣ In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:
Inside EVs looks at how heavier electric vehicles are putting more pressure on crash test equipment.
Delivery workers could be getting two additional charging and rest stations, as THE CITY reports on a new proposal.
Jersey City recorded zero traffic fatalities in 2022. An article in Bloomberg explains how they got there.
TWO THINGS TO DO
1️⃣ RSVP to our Families Bike Brooklyn panel. Join us on Tuesday, January 17 for a free panel discussion that will highlight the needs of families who bike in Brooklyn. Hear from elected officials, transit advocates, and riders themselves as we bring together a community of families that bike.
2️⃣ Connect and protect Ashland and Navy. Speaking of making Brooklyn’s streets safe for families who bike: Sign our petition to install a protected bike lane on Navy Street and Ashland Place. Help us create a safe route between Flushing Avenue and Atlantic Terminal with traffic-calming measures and improved pedestrian access.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Keep an SUV dealership off of Northern Boulevard. The City Council is reviewing a proposal for a new SUV dealership in Woodside, in a space currently zoned for housing. Help us keep these massive, dangerous vehicles off our streets and send your testimony opposing the dealership to landusetestimony@council.nyc.gov by 10 a.m. tomorrow, January 7.
Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend,
Ted and the TA team