June 10: Albany recap, New Yorker article, Pedal for Parks
This year, we joined with the NYS Safe Streets Coalition to demand that legislators make streets across our state safer by passing the Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act.
And we came back with real wins: Three measures from the CVRSA passed the legislature, and 24/7 speed safety cameras are also headed to Governor Hochul’s desk. These bills will make a concrete difference in New Yorkers’ lives and our streets.
On a final note, thank you for volunteering, making phone calls, signing petitions, and telling your friends about the urgent need for street safety this year. We could not have done it without you. We’ll be back to get the rest of the package passed next year — especially Sammy’s Law to lower speed limits across the city. We are deeply disappointed that the City Council did not pass a home rule message allowing the state legislature to take up this bill, which you can read more about in Streetsblog.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Congratulations to our Streets for People Party honorees. This week, we honored the NYS Safe Streets Coalition with the Tom Kempner Street Fighter award for their work in advancing the CVRSA this session and Revel with the Streets for People award. Congratulations!
Thanks for joining us for our Prospect Park Family Fun Ride. We had a blast thanks to you! Take a look at some photos from the ride. Kids and families in every neighborhood in New York City deserve safe streets to walk, bike, and play.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
For the environment, traffic safety, and to make much-needed upgrades to our subways and buses, New York City needs congestion pricing without delay. Watch a new PIX 11 interview with TA Executive Director Danny Harris.
Read a new op-ed from Austin Celestin in the Village Sun calling on the city to transform University Place into a car-free bike boulevard or pedestrian greenway.
From Vice: Traffic fatalities are on the rise nationwide, despite promises from automakers promising technology to make streets safer.
Better bike and pedestrian access is on the way. amNY covers the announcement that the MTA is releasing a strategic action plan later this year.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Take part in a Bridges4People clean-up. Join the Bridges4People campaign for a clean-up of Trinity Park this Sunday, June 12, from noon to 2 p.m. Meet us at the Brooklyn entrance of the Manhattan Bridge as we reclaim this greenspace from placard abuse and BQE trash.
Pedal for Parks on Sunday. Meet up with us at the Astoria Heights Playground at 9:45 a.m. on June 12 for a safe, family-friendly bike ride with Friends of Astoria Heights Park, Citi Bike, and DOT. Learn more and register.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Read the New Yorker for a recent piece on Families for Safe Streets’ fight to prevent traffic violence. For years, members of Families for Safe Streets have fought and advocated for changes on our streets to keep people safe. We hope you’ll read this powerful new piece, When Cars Kill.
