March 17: NYC Streets Plan, reducing car dependency, safe streets in Flatbush
The NYC Streets Plan is a bold, forward-thinking blueprint to improve the accessibility, equity, and sustainability of our streets — passed overwhelmingly by the previous City Council. Now, to meet our climate goals, achieve Vision Zero, reduce car dependency, and bring reliable transit service to more neighborhoods, we need the City of New York to fully fund the Streets Plan.
This week, alongside a coalition of more than 60 local organizations, we urged the City Council and Mayor Adams to dedicate $170 million in the upcoming budget fund the Streets Plan and bring its investments to every corner of our city.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Support our Brooklyn Marathon team. We’re excited to have a TA fundraising team in the upcoming Brooklyn Marathon and Half Marathon to raise money to support our citywide safe streets advocacy. Check out our team and support their fundraising goals.
Rising gas prices underscore the need to reduce car dependency. With the average price of gas soaring above $4.50 a gallon, New York City must reduce car usage — for the environment and our wallets. With NYC 25x25, the city can build hundreds of miles of protected bus and bike lanes and shift trips to transit, biking, and walking by reclaiming space from cars.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
The intersection of Atlantic and Flatbush Avenues is a known-dangerous intersection. BK Reader covers what can be done to fix it, and includes an interview with our Brooklyn Organizer, Kathy Park Price.
The popular, life-saving Willoughby Avenue Open Street is here to stay despite pushback from a small minority of residents. Curbed has the story on the recent community meeting.
New York State is considering a gas tax holiday, according to NY1. Instead of further subsidizing the cost of gas, what if we provide subsidies for sustainable transportation? For transit? For riding a bike?
Our push to give New York City home rule over traffic safety continues, and the NYC DOT Commissioner recently gave his full-throated endorsement, reports the New York Daily News.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Save the date for our Women’s Ride on April 2. This free, family-friendly event will start at 1 p.m. on April 2 in Joyce Kilmer Park in the Bronx. In partnership with Citi Bike, Council Member Amanda Farías, City Council Women’s Caucus, WE Bike NYC, and Bronx River Alliance, this event seeks to address the gender disparity in our bike lanes. RSVP for this ride today.
Learn how to organize a bike to school ride. Ahead of the upcoming national bike to school day, join us for a virtual event tomorrow, Friday, March 18, at 9:30 a.m. and learn how to organize a bike to school ride. We’ll be joined by Stephen Heiny from the National Center for Safe Routes to School and Melissa McAllister, a parent leader with years of experience. RSVP for the event.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Show your support for streets for people in Flatbush. The streets of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, and Kensington need investments to make them safe, especially for people walking, biking, and taking the bus. Sign our petition urging investments in people-centric streets in Brooklyn.
Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend and we’ll see you soon.
Jacob and the TA team