Safe Streets on the Line: Today’s budget hearing!
As President Trump slashes infrastructure grants and Mayor Adams freezes key NYC DOT hires, it’s more important than ever to fund and staff our local government.
DOT is already stretched thin, with staff vacancies twice the citywide average and a $600 million budget shortfall looming. Without planners, engineers, and real funding, we won’t get the protected bike lanes, bus lanes, and pedestrian spaces our city needs. Mayor Adams insists his budget cuts won’t impact public safety — but how can streets be safe if we don’t invest in them?
Today, we testified at the City Council’s budget hearing to demand an end to the safe streets hiring freeze. Join us, and tell your councilmember to end the hiring freeze and fully fund DOT before it’s too late.
Three Things to Know
Attend the City Council’s hearing on universal daylighting in New York City. On April 21, join us at the City Council hearing to support Intro 1138, a bill introduced by Councilmember Julie Won that will require daylighting at every intersection in NYC. Daylighting — repurposing the parking spots closest to an intersection to improve visibility — is a simple, life-saving solution to make our streets safer. But we need to make it mandatory citywide, and we need your voice to make it happen. Stay tuned for more information about the hearing.
Midtown’s community boards unite for a 34th Street busway. Community Boards 4, 5, and 6 are calling on the City to deliver a full-length 34th Street busway — a decade-old vision that’s long overdue. In a letter to Mayor Adams and DOT, they also called for wider sidewalks, bus stop bulb-outs, and dedicated loading zones to make our streets safer and more efficient. This news comes just a couple of months after these same community boards voted in favor of a 42nd Street busway and sidewalk widening! Join The Miracle on 42nd Street campaign and let’s start reimagining what all of Midtown can look like.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week.
Outdoor dining starts April 1, with restaurants cleared to set up seating, reports amNY. Outdoor dining should be available year-round, providing consistent support for small businesses, more space for people, and a vibrant streetscape no matter the season!
Read more in Streetsblog about Manhattan community boards pushing for a full-length 34th Street busway, reviving a decade-old vision for a safer, more efficient corridor.
Starting April 16, NYC drivers with obscured or fake plates face a $50 fine, reports Gothamist. This crackdown will curb toll evasion, but the City must do more to stop ghost plates that let reckless drivers dodge accountability.
Two Things to Do
Join TABK’s Make Morgan Safe Street Scan. How safe is Morgan Avenue for walking, biking, and public transit? Let’s find out together! Join TABK for a community walk at 2 p.m. this Saturday, March 22 to identify problem areas and discuss how to make the street safer and more accessible for all. The walk begins at the northwest corner of Morgan & Grand and ends at Morgan & Meeker. Don’t forget to RSVP and for questions, reach out to northbrooklyn@transalt.org.
Spring into action with the NYC Century Ride. The sun’s out, the birds are singing, and the NYC Century Ride is finally back! After six long years, we’re rolling through the streets of New York City on Sunday, September 21. Don’t forget to sign up today. Don’t forget to grab your tickets before prices go up.
One Action to Take Now
Sign our petition to stop highway expansion in the Bronx. The New York State DOT announced it was going to widen the Cross Bronx Expressway— but we’re fighting back. More highways mean more traffic, more pollution, and worse health outcomes for Bronx communities. Sign our petition today to show city officials and elected leaders that the Bronx deserves cleaner air, safer streets, and real transportation solutions — not more highways.
P.S. Show up and celebrate congestion pricing with us. This Friday, March 21, we have two BIG events to show your support and celebrate the transformation of our streets! Kick off the day with Governor Hochul and elected officials at a 10 a.m. rally at Chelsea Triangle. Then at 5:30 p.m., dance under the congestion pricing cameras at our FOOT TRAFFIC JAM, a rush-hour party with a live DJ to celebrate safer streets, cleaner air, and better transit.
