Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In

weinshall.jpgDOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall's two week European vacation has gotten off to a lousy start. NPR is reporting that Weinshall, her husband, Senator Chuck Schumer, and their two daughters were stuck in Heathrow Airport for hours after yesterday's terrorism arrests. The Commissioner and her family were planning on visiting Amsterdam and Paris but have decided to stay put in London and then go to Paris, a DOT spokesperson says.

While it is a shame that New York City's Transportation Commissioner will not have the opportunity to enjoy Amsterdam's phenomenal urban bicycling facilities, in London she has the chance to see how Trafalgar Square has been vastly improved as a public space by closing half of it to automobiles. Perhaps this will inspire some ideas for Times Square. In Paris, of course, Weinshall and family will have the opportunity to ride Le Mobilien, the city's new Bus Rapid Transit system, and visit a riverfront expressway that has been ridden of cars and transformed into a public beach. Just remember, as the New York Times reported a couple of weeks ago, no topless bathing or thongs allowed at Paris-Plage (that's right, the only recent coverage the Times has given to Paris's transpo reforms focused on... thongs).

Finally, a tip of the hat to Chuck Schumer who managed to use his airport layover to drum up some national press attention for himself -- while on vacation, no less. The old joke is that the most dangerous place in Washington is the space between Senator Schumer and a microphone. They're going to have to change it to the "most dangerous place in the airport during a terrorist threat..."

most of street bus_1.jpg
Bring us back one of these, Iris: Many Parisian avenues now have two lanes
set aside with low curb barriers for the exclusive use of buses and bicycles.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts