Sunday: NYC Observes Day of Remembrance for Traffic Violence Victims

Sunday is World Day of Remembrance for victims of traffic violence. Families for Safe Streets and Transportation Alternatives will hold an observance at City Hall Park at noon.

“We are gathering to remember and honor those who have been killed or severely injured by aggressive or reckless driving and dangerous conditions on our streets, and we will stand together to remind New Yorkers that we can create a safer city for everyone,” said Sofia Russo of Families for Safe Streets in a statement. Russo’s 4-year-old daughter Ariel was killed by a motorist on a Manhattan sidewalk in 2013.

Participants who are walking and biking to City Hall will gather beforehand at locations in all five boroughs. We’ve posted times and locations below.

After a few years in a row when deaths declined, New York City pedestrian and cyclist fatalities are up in 2016 compared to last year. TA and the City Council have urged Mayor de Blasio to fund street redesigns at the level prescribed by his 10-year Vision Zero timetable, but the mayor has not done so.

“We stand with New Yorkers who have lost loved ones or been injured in crashes to tell our city and the world that traffic violence is preventable,” said TA Executive Director Paul Steely White. “The World Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for all of us to renew our Vision Zero commitment to keep working to change the culture of reckless and careless driving, and to rebuild our streets so they’re safer for everyone who uses them.”

Here’s the meet-up list:

• Brooklyn Bridge Walk, 11 a.m. Prospect and Washington Street in DUMBO
• Brooklyn Bike Ride, 11 a.m., Grand Army Plaza
• Bronx Bike Ride, 10:45 a.m., Bronx entrance to the Willis Avenue Bridge
• Manhattan Bike Ride, 11 a.m., 72nd Street and Riverside Drive
• Queens Bike Ride, 11 a.m., Queens entrance to the Queensboro Bridge
• Staten Island Bike Ride, 11 a.m., Staten Island Ferry Terminal