Summer Streets Recap, Ashland Place, and Speed Safety Cameras
That’s a wrap on Summer Streets! From the longest-ever Manhattan street to the first-ever days in the outer boroughs, thank you to everyone who walked, ran, biked, and rolled through the car-free celebration of what our streets can be.
From Brooklyn to the Bronx and from Staten Island to Queens, we loved riding and celebrating car-free streets with each of you. This year's Summer Streets expansion outside of Manhattan may have been the first, but it won't be the last.
Summer Streets don’t have to just happen on Saturdays in August. Our leaders can open streets for people today and give New Yorkers space to move 365 days a year. This would not only improve the quality of life in New York City but could also reduce air pollution, traffic congestion, and noise pollution.
Creating a more vibrant, diverse, and equitable city begins with transforming space for cars into spaces for people. Read more about our NYC 25X25 vision and join our movement.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
Ashland Place needs a protected bike network. Pedestrians, bike riders, and drivers need a complete Ashland Place safety redesign. We’re glad to see DOT start work on this project, but we need the full corridor completed — and that means every block. This project would link Brooklyn's protected bike lane network to Fourth and Flushing Avenues Avenue. Support our petition to fill this critical gap in Brooklyn's protected bike network.
We know that speed safety cameras work. After a year of 24/7 operation, speed safety camera violations dropped 30% citywide. The speed safety camera program started in 2014 during daytime hours but we know speeding doesn't sleep. That's why we fought for 24/7 operation. Traffic fatalities in speed safety camera zones dropped 25% compared to the year prior. It's clear: speed safety cameras save lives.
In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:
Public health officials need to play a larger role in evaluating street safety, according to a Streetsblog report.
Street vendors in Sunset Park are rallying for a space in the park, GrubStreet reports.
Hear from members of Families for Safe Streets fighting for better cycling infrastructure on Univision.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Join TA’s Staten Island Activist Committee for a Richmond Terrace walking tour. This one-mile waterfront walk will start at 11 a.m. on September 16, at the intersection of Broadway and Richmond Terrace. We'll tour the blighted corridor, discuss the current conditions, and workshop potential improvements. RSVP and join us to help shape the future of Richmond Terrace!
Don’t miss the final weekend of Bike Valet at The Met. It is available for FREE this Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, so make sure to stop by and enjoy free bike parking while you visit the Met. Rain or shine, Bike Valet is there for you.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Register for our Half Century bike ride before it's too late! Our Half Century bike ride is approaching fast. Celebrate our 50th anniversary with a 50-mile bike ride through the city and post-ride festival at Industry City with music, food, drinks, and more! You’ll also have the chance to win a sparkling medal.
Thanks for reading!
Michelle and the TA Team
