Josh Benson
Streetsblog Basics
Can You Believe a Few People Are Still Suing to Rip Out This Bike Lane?
It was just about five years ago that attorneys with the law firm Gibson, Dunn and Crutcher, working pro bono on behalf of some people with ties to Senator Chuck Schumer, filed suit against the city for installing the Prospect Park West bike lane. In August 2011, Kings County Supreme Court Judge Bert Bunyan dismissed the suit, but not before bike lane opponents battered DOT and its bike program in the press for several months through various surrogates.
February 25, 2016
Concern for Seniors Runs High at Low Turnout CB 11 Meeting
Select Bus Service’s new low-floor buses will make it easier for seniors to get on and off the bus. Image: Second Avenue Sagas. Last night the MTA and DOT continued their tour of East Side community boards, presenting plans for better bus service and safer streets to the Manhattan CB 11 transportation committee. Attendance was low, … Continued
February 3, 2010
MTA, DOT Sketch Out East Side Plans: Separated Lanes for Bikes, Not Buses
One configuration in the plan calls for a protected bike lane and a curbside bus lane. Image: MTA/NYCDOT The MTA and NYCDOT released an outline last night for faster bus service and safer biking and walking on First and Second Avenues. The redesign is the flagship project in New York City’s plans to enhance its … Continued
January 15, 2010
Kent Ave Bike Lane Stirs Passions in Williamsburg
New York's latest bike lane skirmish flared up Monday night at a "transportation town hall" in Williamsburg. About 150 people turned out, and DOT bike program coordinator Josh Benson caught an earful from bike lane opponents upset over new parking rules on Kent Avenue, in effect since last month.
November 26, 2008
Sneak Preview: More Queens Bike Lanes and Bike-Friendly Zoning
If only a zoning amendment could retroactively require the New York Times Building to provide bike parking.
May 16, 2008
Eyes on the Street: Fresh Paint on Prince
A tipster sends this shot from earlier today of a newly-painted bike lane on Prince Street.
May 15, 2008
Got a Cycling Question for DOT? Ask Josh Benson.
Getting in on the Bike Month action, City Room has DOT bike program coordinator Josh Benson answering reader questions this week.
May 13, 2008
NYC Gets Its First-Ever Physically-Separated Bike Path
The Department of Transportation revealed plans for New York City's first-ever physically-separated bike lane, or "cycle track," at a Manhattan Community Board 4 meeting last night. The new bike path will run southbound on Ninth Avenue from W. 23rd to W. 16th Street in Manhattan. Unlike the typical Class II on-street bike lane in which cyclists mix with motor vehicle traffic, this new design will create an exclusive path for bicycles between the sidewalk and parked cars.
September 20, 2007
Take Action: Support the Prince/Bleecker Bike Route Plan
Ian Dutton and community leaders speak out at an August 30, 2006 rally for bike safety on Houston Street.
April 9, 2007
Tonight: Help DOT Build a River-to-River Bike Connection
DOT wants 20th and 21st Streets to be Lower Manhattan's prime river-to-river bike route.
April 5, 2007