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 chooses 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.

TODAY 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: Tonight, Tuesday, June 2 at 6:30 PM (we encourage you to arrive between 5:45 and 6 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 tonight!

Testimony Toolkit

This newsletter was first published in the StreetopiaUWS newsletter on May 29th. To get updates about our work to reclaim the public space for the public good in the Upper West Side, sign up here.

EVENT

The Story of NYC’s Best Open Street

Streetfilms' Clarence Eckerson Jr. captures the energy and joy behind the 34th Avenue Open Street showing how reimagining streets can reimagine civic life. Join us for a sneak peek on Tuesday, June 9 at 6:30 PM at LaGuardia Performing Arts Center.

RSVP

EVENT

Block Talk: LTNs

What does LTN mean to you? Liberating The Neighborhood? Lovely Transportation Networks? Let's Trim Noise? Join us at The Laurels for a social hour with curious conversations and intriguing ideas about Low Traffic Neighborhoods. June 22, 6 PM in the East Village

RSVP

PODCAST

We were on the Active Towns Podcast

Sara Lind, our Co-Executive Director, joined the Active Towns podcast to talk about our work in NYC. The discussion went from School Streets and Low Traffic Neighborhoods to Intersection Daylighting and Public Space Management, and more!

Watch now

PODCAST

Streetfilms on Curb Enthusiasm Podcast

Streetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson, Jr. joined Curb Enthusiasm, NYC DOT's podcast, for a wide-ranging conversation about what cities around the world are doing to reclaim street space for people — and what New York can learn from them.

Watch now

CAREERS

We are hiring for a Comms Director

We're looking for an experienced, mission-driven professional to lead diverse communications, both tactically and strategically, to promote a people-first street culture and achieve our goals in policy, organizing, engagement, fundraising, and more. Apply by June 16

Apply now

Things to do

✏️ Support our School Streets budget ask | Open now

School Streets work, but fewer than 80 schools have them. Join our sign-on letter calling on Mayor Mamdani and the City Council to deliver on a $20 million investment to expand School Streets across New York City and make streets around schools safer for students and families. To sign on or learn more, email sabina@openplans.org

📋 Summer Streets Survey | Open now

Summer Streets prove New Yorkers will take over car-free streets the moment you give them the chance. The program is now in all five boroughs, but there's still huge potential for longer routes, more weekends, longer hours, and even cross-borough connections. Share your ideas in this survey to help shape what Summer Streets becomes next.

🚛 Citywide Truck Routes | Open now

Truck routes should be designed with safety, clarity, and strong curbside management at their core. These routes are essential to the city’s transportation network, but they can’t come at the expense of safety; stronger curbside management and automated enforcement are also critical, since illegal parking, double-parking, and unsafe loading often undercut the benefits of good route design. On June 9th, NYC is holding a public hearing on proposed updates to citywide truck routes. Share your comments by June 9th.

🚆 QueensLink Forest Hills Town Hall | Tue, Jun 2 | 7-9 PM

Join QueensLink for a conversation about how QueensLink can reconnect communities with Rails & Trails! Meet at Commonpoint Queens in Forest Hills for an evening of discussion and light refreshments.

🚸 The Roads Ahead: A Conversation on the Present and Future of Transportation in New York City | Wed, Jun 3 | 6 PM

NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn and Sam Schwartz Transportation Research Program (SSTRP) founder Sam Schwartz will discuss the administration's early momentum and success, as well as the agency's vision for a safer, more livable, and more affordable city for all.

🌿 South Bronx Unite Local Action Committee: Tree Pit Initiative | Thu, Jun 4 | 6:30-8:30 PM
Join South Bronx Unite to reclaim tree pits along Lincoln Ave by planting native perennials and willows in tree beds to combat the lack of tree canopy in Mott Haven and Port Morris. Meet at Maria Sola Green Space (128 Lincoln Ave) ready to get your hands dirty—no experience necessary and all tools and gloves provided!

📢 Testify in Support of QueensLink | Wed, Jun 10 | 9:30 AM
The NYC Council is holding their final public hearing on the budget at City Hall Chambers—show up and speak up for QueensLink! Register to testify in person, over Zoom, or submit written testimony if you can't make it.

🎺 Latin Jazz in the Heights 2026 | Sat, Jun 20 | 2–7 PM

Head to Plaza de las Américas at 175th & Broadway for a free afternoon of Latin jazz, brought to you by Community League of the Heights and Jazz Power Initiative! Come early at 3 PM for salsa dance lessons with Junior Belone, then catch Boba's Latin Jazz Ensemble at 5 PM blending merengue, bachata, salsa, Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and jazz in celebration of the vibrant Dominican community.

🌇 Manhattanhenge | Multiple Dates

Twice each year, the setting sun aligns perfectly with Manhattan's street grid for a stunning natural spectacle — viewable along 14th, 23rd, 34th, 42nd, and 57th streets. Here are this year's dates and times:

- July 11 at 8:20 PM: Full Sun on the Grid

- July 12 at 8:21 PM: Half Sun on the Grid

Open Plans
PO Box 1009
New York, NY 10013

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