No Charges for Van Driver Who Killed Elderly Woman in Crosswalk
The day after a commercial van driver killed an elderly woman in a Manhattan crosswalk, no charges have been filed, though NYPD implied but failed to confirm that the victim had the right of way. The company that employs the driver, meanwhile, refused to say if he will face any disciplinary action, and he could be back behind the wheel tomorrow.
September 26, 2014
Car2Go Launches in Brooklyn — Users Will Have to Pay at Parking Meters
Point-to-point car-share service Car2Go will launch next month across the western third of Brooklyn. One of the questions hanging over the launch was whether the company would pay the city to let its customers park for free at metered spaces. Now we have an answer: DOT will not change its parking rules to accommodate Car2Go, whose customers will have to pay to use metered spaces. In areas with a high concentration of meters, the company will secure private off-street parking for its users.
September 26, 2014
Hoboken’s Main Drag Set for Ambitious Complete Streets Overhaul
Hoboken Mayor Dawn Zimmer has unveiled a plan to transform Washington Street, the Square Mile City's main drag, with a two-way protected bike lane, super-sized curb extensions, and bus bulbs. The plan also includes expanded loading zones, new seating, bike racks, and bioswales for stormwater runoff.
September 25, 2014
Garodnick Endorses Complete Streets for Fifth and Sixth Avenues
The next time someone tries to tell you that complete street designs with pedestrian islands and protected bike lanes are controversial, point them to what's happening on Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Avenues in Manhattan, where a united coalition of parents, business owners, elected officials, and community boards are begging DOT to design streets in the image of the already-remade First, Second, Eighth, and Ninth Avenues.
September 24, 2014
City Council Creates Fines for Hit-and-Run Drivers, Calls on Albany to Act
Minutes ago, the City Council unanimously passed a bill that would levy civil penalties against hit-and-run drivers. Fines start at $500, increasing to $2,000 for drivers who leave injured victims and $10,000 for drivers who cause serious injury or death. The bill now goes to Mayor Bill de Blasio, who is expected to sign it.
September 23, 2014
NYC Celebrates Park(ing) Day 2014
Today's the day when people across the world replace parking with parks to prompt their neighbors to think a bit differently about how we use street space. While participation in Park(ing) Day seems to have ebbed in New York recently, the city still made a decent showing this year. Here's a sampler of the pop-up parklets across the city today.
September 19, 2014
Why You Can’t Trust TV News to Report on Bike Lanes
Earlier this week, in an "investigation" seeking to link bike lanes to traffic congestion, ABC 7 reporter Jim Hoffer drove around Manhattan avenues timing his trips. The station ostensibly wanted to test DOT's numbers showing that average travel times on two streets with protected bike lanes decreased after the lanes were installed.
September 19, 2014