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Working to Reclaim Public Space for the Public Good on the UWS

The need is growing. The data is clear. Let's build the lanes already.  (photo montage by StreetopiaUWS)

If there's one thing we should all be able to agree on, it's this: safety is non-negotiable.

And, yes, that includes safety for people riding bicycles.

Which is why it's so disheartening (though not altogether surprising) to see many opponents of the DOT's planned improvements to West 72nd Street demonize supporters as "outsiders" and "special interests" who are infringing on the rights of "legitimate" (aka, car-using) residents and businesses. All because the project includes a protected bike lane (which, by the way, are proven to improve safety for everyone). 

That kind of divisive rhetoric implies, and sometimes states outright, that anyone who choses to ride a bike to get around the city is unserious and not entitled to protections and freedoms that should be universal, whatever your age, ability, or chosen mode or transportation. And it's not just this project or this city—this phenomenon is insidious and pervasive and shows up whenever the car's privileged position is challenged.

Next Tuesday, June 2, is your opportunity to flip that negative script and stand with family, friends, and neighbors in the belief that everyone deserves a safe place on our streets.

Here's what you need to know:

When: Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 PM

What: Community Board 7 Full Board Meeting (agenda)

Why: Vote on a resolution in support of planned street safety improvements on W72nd St 

Where: Leonard Nimoy Thalia at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway (at 95th St)

Important notes!

• • Attend in person for the most impact. A large turnout in the room sends a strong message, and you'll be representing the countless others who would benefit from these changes but can't take the time to be there, including kids and many parents. (If you absolutely can't make it in person, the meeting will stream here via Zoom and you can still speak in favor.)

• • Sign up to speak ahead of time at this link. Comments will be limited to 60 seconds so keep it short. Say that you support the changes and offer a brief, personal example of how the changes will improve your life.

• • Wear green so it's easy for board members to identify you as a supporter of the improvements. This will help them see that there is broad support for the project. We'll also have signs and stickers that you can hold and display.

You can find more information and resources in this toolkit.

We'll be honest: we wish it wasn't this difficult for the city to make basic safety upgrades to our streets, and maybe someday it won't require an all-hands-on-deck effort. But until then, we need you!

Make a plan to attend and sign up to speak.

See you on Tuesday.

Livable Streets News You Can Use 

We took our 'complete street' vision for West 72nd Street to the pages of amNY, making the case for restoring the street as a natural park-to-park connection, and at the same time undoing the many harms a century of motordom has wrought. The DOT's safety project doesn't get us all the way there, but it's an important first step with a lot of potential.  READ >

One of the imperatives for implementing safety projects like the DOT's planned changes to West 72nd Street is the growing enthusiasm and demand for cycling in all its forms. We co-hosted a group ride that brought out Upper West Siders of all ages and abilities to demonstrate just how diverse cyclists are and the unassailable need for safe conditions for them to ride.  WATCH >

The biggest obstacle to meaningful change to our streets ultimately comes down to political will. Which is why it's so encouraging to hear that Mayor Mamdani supports the judgement of his DOT in their effort to make NYC's streets the "envy of the world." There's a lot of work to do, and projects like 72nd Street are crucial to meeting that goal.  READ >

Stay Informed, Take Action, Make Change

✅  SUGGEST SECURE BIKE PARKING: Feedback Map

NYC DOT is looking for feedback on where to locate bike parking around the city. This includes things like what type of bicycle you would like to store (standard, e-bike, cargo, adaptive, etc.) and the length of time (long-term, short-term, overnight, weekends, etc.) at each suggested location. Add your suggestions today!

✅  PARTICIPATE IN AN E-BIKE HEALTH STUDY: Survey

The NYU Center of Health Data and NYC DOT are teaming up to better understand the how cycling impacts heart health, and how the streets around you influence the choices you make: where you ride, what feels safe, and what keeps you off the road. The survey should take between 5-15 minutes to complete, and answers are confidential. 

Happenings in and Around Local Streets

🐶 Columbus Avenue BID Open Street | Sundays, May 10 - July 26 | 11am-7pm

The fun and popular Columbus Avenue Open Street continues this weekend with dog-themed activities and events. Drop by with your two- and four-legged friends to enjoy a stroll, support local businesses, or just grab a table to people (and dog) watch. | Columbus Avenue, 68th St to 77th St

🎷 Lincoln Square BID Summer Jazz | Wednesdays, June 24 - September 16 | 12-1:30pm

Live lunchtime jazz is in the air this summer at Dante Park. Workers, residents, and visitors alike are invited to enjoy the world-class jazz in the heart of the neighborhood. | Dante Park, b/t Broadway & Columbus, across from Lincoln Center

Upcoming Open Streets...

🚧 Columbus-Amsterdam BID Open Street | Saturdays, July 4 - October 31

The Columbus-Amsterdam BID open street is back for another year of community and programming. | Amsterdam Avenue, 106th St to 110th St 

🚧 West 111th Block Association Open Street | Saturdays, July 4 - October 31

This small, but mighty, one-block open street features frequent programming and abundant community |  Amsterdam Avenue, 110th St to 111th St 

Items of Interest

🔘  Colorado now officially refers to a ”crash”, not “accident,” to accurately describe crashes.

🔘  In another sign that driving invites sociopathy, crossing guards in Britain are routinely intimidated and abused by angry drivers. 

🔘  Cars aren't just efficient city-destroying machines, they’re also prodigious surveillance machines.

🔘  We know distracted driving is deadly, but here’s some surprising evidence to support it.

🔘  The “bike lobby” is a tired NIMBY trope used to thwart change, but the Highway Lobby, on the other hand, is very real and very destructive.

🔘  Hear us out: what if we made it a whole lot easier to live without a car in America?

🔘  Speaking of the negative externalities of car dependency: Waymos like to drop passengers off in bike lanes.

🔘  But, as this study from Milan shows, tools that reduce car dependency often create positive externalities.

🔘  Finally, first it was Paris—now London is committing to hundreds of new School Streets. Your move NYC.

Pass it On

“When we relegate decision-making to people who have car-supremacist ideas about whose lives are worth valuing, I don’t think that that should count as ‘consulting the community.'”

— Researcher Ashton Rohmer on the auto-centric flaw at the heart of most community engagement.

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