New York City’s New Bike Czar

Crain’s Insider reports: "Biking advocates are cheering the city Department of Transportation’s hiring of Josh Benson as bicycle program director. He steps into a tense situation."

Update: We have a little bit more background on Benson. He served as the DOT Bike Program’s Deputy Director in the early 2000’s. Word has it, he left DOT to attend grad school. Even less reliable word has it, he got a master’s degree in planning at Columbia and spent some time working the New York City Housing Authority before being invited back to DOT to take over as Director. As always, we are trying to confirm this information and have a call in to DOT’s press office that is not being returned. If you know any more about Benson or have any educated analysis on what is now happening with DOT’s Bike Program, feel free to drop a line to StreetsBlog.

  • Is that Josh Benson from the NY Observer?

    What are his credentials? Background on Biking Transportation issues?

    Do you have any previous public statements / writings by him on NYC biking issues?

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    I know Josh Benson from Columbia. He graduated from the planning program two years after I did. Yes he was recently working for the Housing Authority. People should be excited, because this is a guy who knows urban cycling. I am pretty certain that the Josh Benson from the Observer is a different person.

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