Transportation Policy
Streetsblog Basics
Jackson Heights: New Front in One-Way Battle
A view of 35th Ave. in Jackson Heights, part of the DOT's proposed one-way pair for the neighborhood
June 19, 2007
The Perfect Argument for Congestion Pricing
The Staten Island Advance ran an article last Thursday about a "perfect storm" of crushing Staten Island-bound traffic on the Gowanus Expressway and the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge. To give you a sense of the frustrated tone of the article, it was entitled "21-Month Nightmare: Agency Offers Zero Solutions for Verrazano Lane Mess." Here's how it began:
June 19, 2007
It’s the Bus Riders, Stupid.
Is Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan, a regressive tax, unfair to New York City's poor and working class?
June 15, 2007
Lappin Describes Her Position as “Similar to Gov. Spitzer’s”
A couple of weeks ago I nearly spit out my morning coffee over the front page of Metro NY when I read that my City Council member Jessica Lappin was opposed to Mayor Bloomberg's congestion pricing plan. Dismissing residential parking permits as "a hunting license" Lappin said she was afraid of a "crush of cars" at the at the 86th Street boundary.
June 12, 2007
From a Sea of Green, Bloomberg Works a Tough Room
Flanked by dozens, if not hundreds, of citizen spectators in bright green "I Breathe and I Vote" t-shirts, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and city staffers this morning made the case for a three-year congestion pricing pilot program to a largely hostile cadre of state Assembly members.
June 8, 2007
Eyes on the Street: A Special Lane for Parking Cars
This was the scene along the Edward L. Grant Highway in the Bronx on May 27, where the southbound buffered bike lane near Jerome Avenue was being blocked by SUVs from Florida and New Jersey and assorted other vehicles. The bike lane markings here are worn out by the constant wear and tear of automobile tires. A complete lack of enforcement makes this bike lane inadequate for cycling and a great benefit for auto mechanics and double-parkers.
June 6, 2007
T.A.: City, State Parking Drive Would Torpedo Taxi Initiative
The increase in CO2 caused by over 20,000 parking spaces sought by the city would "effectively take away
more than one-third of the gains" promised by Mayor Bloomberg's hybrid cab plan.
June 5, 2007
StreetFilms: Sadik-Khan Rides the Tour de Brooklyn
The third annual Tour de Brooklyn was a special treat as New York City DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan rode the entire event with over 2,000 enthusiastic cyclists. The new commissioner introduced herself to riders at the beginning of the ride and had some very positive things to say about cycling in New York City. The ride covered 18 miles, starting in Grand Army Plaza, heading down 4th Avenue to Bay Ridge, then stopping in Dyker Heights for a respite before returning to Prospect Park. As always with the TdB, the emphasis was on friends, family, and fun.
June 4, 2007
Seventeen Elected Officials Endorse PlaNYC Initiatives
On Saturday, seventeen New York City and State elected officials stood with the Campaign for New York's Future and officially endorsed PlaNYC. They are:
June 4, 2007
City Wants 20,000 New Parking Spaces in Hell’s Kitchen
It seems inconceivable given the overwhelmingly positive developments of the past few weeks, but the city wants to increase parking in Manhattan by some 20,000 spaces, and is defending itself in court for the right to do so.
June 1, 2007