March 3: Bridges4People, accessible busways in Queens, Grand Street bike lane
Bridges4People is building momentum for safe routes to our East River bridges!
Last weekend, we rallied with Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso, Council Member Lincoln Restler, and Assemblymember Jo Anne Simon to urge New York City to build a bike network that provides safe access to bridges.
Recap the ride with a video from our TA Brooklyn Activist Committee, and get involved with Bridges4People!
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Read our open letter urging NYC to upgrade the Grand Street bike lane. The bike lane fails to keep people safe because drivers ignore the plastic delineators and treat it like a parking lot. Read our new letter from the TA North Brooklyn Activist Committee and eight local elected officials urging NYC to upgrade the Grand Street bike lane.
State crash data show the need for CVRSA passage. New estimates from the National Safety Council showed a 21 percent increase in motor vehicle fatalities in New York State in 2021 compared to 2019. This alarming spike in crashes underscores the need for Albany to pass the full Crash Victim Rights and Safety Act this session.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
The New York Times covers how raised crosswalks will be a part of Mayor Adams’ plan to upgrade 1,000 intersections for safety.
NYC DOT announced the first locations to receive new concrete Jersey barriers as part of Commissioner Rodriguez’s commitment to fortify half of the city’s paint or plastic-delineated bike lanes, NY1 reports.
The city will build Apolline’s Garden in Fort Greene, reports Streetsblog. Named for three-month-old Apolline Mong-Guillemin, who was killed by a reckless driver last September, this safe car-free plaza will be an important community space and memorial.
A new UN report paints a dire picture of what a failure to respond to the climate emergency looks like, writes Gothamist. We need to immediately invest in sustainable transportation options, discourage car ownership, and make NYC 25x25 a reality on our streets.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Run for TA in the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon. We're recruiting runners to fundraise 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. Email events@transalt.org for more information!
Rally for accessible subways in Queens. Join Riders Alliance, Congresswoman Grace Meng, and riders at 11 a.m., Friday , at 63rd Drive - Rego Park station. We’re calling on Governor Hochul and state officials to double down on accessibility upgrades.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Voice your support for the Willoughby Avenue Open Street. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez and Council Member Crystal Hudson are hosting a community meeting at 6:30 p.m., March 8, at PS 20, 225 Adelphi Street, to talk about the Willoughby Avenue Open Street. Register for the meeting and show your support for this life-saving public space. And if you can’t join, take two minutes to fill out this survey showing your support for the Open Streets.
Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you soon.
Jacob and the TA team
P.S. Tune in the City Council Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s meeting on transportation equity at 11 a.m., Monday, March 7. Register to testify in support of building equitable streets.