Bike riding in New York City is increasing, but the number of biker deaths and serious injuries remain the same. The City, as noted last month, asserts that bike riding has become relatively safer. There is, however, no data available on less serious injuries or on pedestrian confrontations both physical and those that produce frighteningly close calls. The attractiveness of bike riding makes certain the continued growth in riding. The City, while encouraging this growth, … <Read More>
Search Results for: Bike Lanes
Bike Safety: Still an illusive City goal
Has bicycle riding become safer in New York City? On July 28, 2011 the New York City Department of Transportation answered “Yes” by presenting statistics that showed that bike riding was 72 percent safer in 2010 than it was 2001. How good are DOT’s statistics?
Despite significant efforts, the absolute number of bicyclist fatalities and severe injuries has hardly moved. In 2000 there were 18 fatalities and 351 severe injuries. In 2010 there was no … <Read More>
DOT Celebrates Ten Years of Vision Zero
On February 15, 2024, the Department of Transportation celebrated the ten-year anniversary of the Vision Zero safety program, the City’s ongoing efforts to reduce and prevent deaths and serious injuries from traffic accidents and crashes. New York City was the first American city to develop a Vision Zero program. In over a century of recorded data, 2023 was the second safest year for pedestrians in New York City, and eight of the top ten safest … <Read More>
City Announces New Rule Prohibiting Vendors on City Bridges
On January 3, 2023, the Department of Transportation announced new rules that restrict vending on city-owned bridges. Under the new rules, vendors will not be allowed to sell on pedestrian walkways, bike lanes on bridges and bridge approaches. The rule was made in part to address the excessive crowding on the Brooklyn Bridge.
City Council Votes to Approve Additions to DOT Master Street Plan
On October 19, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int. 1164A-2023. The bill was sponsored by Council Member Selvena Brooks-Powers. This bill seeks to make additions to the Department of Transportation’s Master Street Plan by, in the words of Council Member Brooks-Powers, adding equity through “an investment roadmap to the streets plan law.”
Council Passes Bill to Create Off-Street Parking for Commercial Trucks
On September 28, 2023, the City Council voted to approve Int. 906-A, which requires the City to create off-street parking for tractor trailers. The bill, sponsored by Council Member Justin Brannan, aims to get commercial trucks illegally parked on residential roads onto designated spaces.