City Council
Streetsblog Basics
With New Bill, Menchaca Hopes to Build a Culture of Safety on NYC Streets
Last Friday, Brooklyn Council Member Carlos Menchaca introduced legislation that would allow cyclists to cross with leading pedestrian intervals (LPIs) that give people on foot a head-start on turning motorists at intersections.
February 9, 2016
Will the City Council Press NYPD to Enforce the Right of Way Law?
NYPD is barely enforcing a key Vision Zero law more than a year after it took effect, and it seems the City Council isn't planning to do anything about it.
January 5, 2016
Advocates to City Council: Parking Mandates Make Housing Less Affordable
Requiring the construction of parking spaces drives up the cost of housing in New York City, which is why parking policy reform figures prominently in the de Blasio administration's rezoning plans. Now a coalition of advocates is highlighting how much those reforms matter to the campaign to make housing more affordable.
December 14, 2015
To Make NYC Streets Safer, Focus on the Cause of 98 Percent of Harm
On Wednesday, Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer spoke in support of legislation that would create a "bicycle safety task force." The language of the bill, introduced by Council Member Rosie Mendez at Brewer's request, says the task force would make recommendations for improving bike infrastructure. But in testimony to the council transportation committee, Brewer suggested the panel would also provide a venue for people to gripe about cyclists.
December 3, 2015
Council Bills May Convolute City Policy on Cyclist Safety and Derelict Bikes
The City Council transportation committee will take up a slate of bills tomorrow, including one that would create a "bicycle safety task force" that is opposed by Transportation Alternatives.
December 1, 2015
Rodriguez Backs Bill to Strengthen Legal Protections for People in Crosswalks
Momentum is building in the City Council for a bill to strengthen pedestrians' right-of-way. Introduced by Public Advocate Tish James last week, Intro 997 picked up the support of Transportation Committee chair Ydanis Rodriguez today.
November 18, 2015
Will Council Members Who Want Transit Improvements Back Toll Reform?
At yesterday’s City Council transportation committee hearing, chair Ydanis Rodriguez hoped to engage the MTA and DOT concerning areas of the city that need more transit options. But despite being invited, according to Rodriguez, the MTA refused to send anyone.
November 13, 2015
City Hall Wants Council Members to Beef Up “Bikes in Buildings” Bills
No matter how well you lock up your bike in NYC, if you leave it outside for any significant amount of time, you never know what will be left when you get back. For secure storage, nothing beats a spot inside. But thanks to a bizarre aversion to bicycles shared by many landlords and property managers, a large percentage of NYC buildings are de facto bike-free zones.
October 14, 2015
NYPD Conspicuously Absent From City Council Vision Zero Hearing
How seriously does Police Commissioner Bill Bratton take Vision Zero? The City Council transportation committee held a hearing today to gauge the city's progress in reducing traffic injuries and deaths, and NYPD didn't send a single person to provide testimony or answer questions.
October 7, 2015