Transportation Alternatives
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Tom Vanderbilt Dissects “The ‘E’ Word”
In the latest issue of TA's Reclaim, "Traffic" author Tom Vanderbilt revisits the May New York Magazine profile of Janette Sadik-Khan, and its portrayal of projects like car-free Broadway as tributes to the city's oft-mythologized non-driving "elite."
July 31, 2009
In Historic Vote, City Council Passes Bicycle Access Bill
The New York City Council voted 46-1 this afternoon in favor of Intro 871, the Bicycle Access Bill, opening the door to significant gains in commuter cycling. Cyclists who do not commute by bike have long cited the lack of a secure place to lock up as the most important factor holding them back. Intro 871 will give thousands of them a new legal framework to petition for bicycle access at their places of work, but stops short of guaranteeing access to all buildings. All told, its passage marks the biggest
legislative victory ever achieved by bicycle advocates in New York
City.
July 29, 2009
After Hard-Fought Campaign, Bicycle Access Bill Set to Become Law
The Bicycle Access Bill, Intro 871, is on track to clear the City Council this Wednesday, in what will be a major milestone for the livable streets movement in New York City. We just received an announcement from Council Member David Yassky's office that passage of Intro 871 is a done deal. This time, there is no doubt that the full City Council will take up the bill during its next stated meeting. With 35 co-sponsors and mayoral support, its passage has been secured.
July 27, 2009
Park-in-a-Box: Enter the Park(ing) Day NYC 2009 Design Competition
We've got a date for the third annual Park(ing) Day NYC festivities: September 18. For those unfamiliar with Park(ing) Day, it's kind of like the Christmas of livable streets. Or maybe Sukkot is a better analogy. Parking spaces all over the city will be converted to mini-parks and pedestrian zones. For a day, the potential to re-program space for cars as space for people feels much more tangible.
July 24, 2009
Streetfilms: Make Your Own Bike Etiquette PSA
Biking Rules, the new campaign organized by Transportation Alternatives, is sponsoring a video and photo PSA competition. Submissions are now being accepted for two categories in the competition: "Why Biking Rules!" and "The Biking Rules Street Code."
July 24, 2009
Ray Kelly on Traffic Crime: “I Don’t Know What You’re Talking About”
Transportation Alternatives' recent report, Executive Order [PDF], contains so much information about the state of traffic enforcement in New York, it's impossible to summarize in one post. So in the weeks ahead, Streetsblog will be taking a closer look at what's in the report and what the implications are for law enforcement.
July 16, 2009
Streetfilms: Manhattan DA Candidates Debate Traffic Justice
Every year, vehicular violence claims the lives of about 300 New Yorkers and injures thousands more. But even in cases where victims die, drivers are often allowed to get right back behind the wheel as long as they are sober, licensed, and remain at the scene.
July 15, 2009
TA Report: Reckless Driving Casualties Rising as NYPD Enforcement Lags
Transportation Alternatives today released a troubling report on the state of local traffic enforcement, and called on Mayor Bloomberg to establish a new office tasked with reining in dangerous drivers and reducing fatalities and injuries on city streets.
July 14, 2009
John Liu: Halting Bike Access Bill Not a Political Move
We've got an update about the petition drive urging Council member John Liu to hold a vote on the Bicycle Access Bill in his committee: It's got people fired up. From Crain's Insider:
July 8, 2009