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

‘I Hate Traffic’: A Conversation With ‘Gridlock’ Sam Schwartz

The Five Borough Bike Club's monthly general meeting will feature a talk and discussion with "Gridlock" Sam Schwartz.

Sam had a distinguished career in New York City government for close to twenty years. He began his career as a junior engineer in Mayor John Lindsay's Traffic Department. He served as Traffic Commissioner under Mayor Ed Koch and subsequently became Chief Engineer/First Deputy Commissioner of the city's Transportation Department in that administration. He now works as a writer and consultant.

Sam holds a graduate civil engineering degree from The University of Pennsylvania. He is also a graduate of Brooklyn College and is the recipient of numerous honors for his work on urban infrastructure for integrating traffic and transit systems. Sam's traffic advisories are featured as a regular column in The NY Daily News. He is also a cyclist.

From his unique perspective, Sam will discuss our regions' transportation and traffic systems – the history (including his involvement in the creation of the first NYC bike lanes), the engineering, and the politics (including his thoughts on decongesting traffic in NYC).

It is not always that the 5BBC gets a witness to history and practitioner to come to chat to what will be surely a most educational meeting. The 5BBC wishes to extend its thanks to Mr. Schwartz's assistant editor, Joshua Knoller, for his help in setting up this program.

Seasonal refreshments will be served.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

SEE IT: Cops Violently Arrest Teen Riding Citi Bike in Alphabet City

Three cops slammed a teenager to the ground, pulled his hair and knelt on his head — for allegedly riding a Citi Bike "in a reckless manner."

August 29, 2025

‘Pedestrianize’ the Financial District, Lower Manhattan Council Member Says

Downtown Council Member Chris Marte says the city refuses to launch a $500K downtown pedestrianization study funded by his predecessor.

August 29, 2025

Friday Video: The Problem With … ‘Friday Video’?!

The urbanism YouTube sphere is thriving — but who's getting the views?

August 29, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Parking Madness Edition

A single new block of green-painted bike lane makes illegal parking by cops from the 114th Precinct even more illegal. Plus more news.

August 29, 2025

Talking Headways Podcast: The Menace of Prosperity

Daniel Wortel-London on his new book, "The Menace of Prosperity: New York City and the Struggle for Economic Development, 1875–1981."

August 28, 2025

MONEY TALKS: Business Interests Call the Shots in Eric Adams’s New York

Forget the bribery charges — you don't have to break the law to buy influence in the Big Apple.

August 28, 2025
See all posts