It's fair to say that we live in rather interesting times for NYC transportation policy. In the past week alone, the City Council transportation chair endorsed the idea of 20 mph speed limits, automated enforcement went live on East Side bus lanes after years of advocacy effort, and NYC DOT came out with the first outlines of a bike-share plan that could transform cycling in the city.
Think of some of the other once-fantastical changes that are within reach right now. The next version of PlaNYC could take a huge bite out of traffic by reforming parking policies. The Sheridan Expressway could be replaced by housing and parks. Congestion pricing could return to help fill the big gaps in New York’s transit funding. Streetsblog needs to stay on the scene and stay on top of these stories. And we need you to help us do it. If you haven’t given to Streetsblog’s year-end pledge drive yet, please contribute today.
Take it from one of our region’s leading transportation advocates — Kate Slevin, executive director of the Tri-State Transportation Campaign. Kate kindly wrote us to share how Streetsblog has made a difference to her, and to other advocates:
Streetsblog has made my job easier. Before it, advocates struggled to keep pace with NYC transportation news. But now, Streetsblog arms us with the news every day, allowing us to focus our attention on our advocacy work.
They have created an instant national network for transportation reform advocates across the country. They have kept pace with immense news stories like congestion pricing, transit cuts, and NYC DOT’s green transformation. They are tracking federal policy with a keen eye. They help drive readers to our blog, Mobilizing the Region, and similar blogs across the country.
These are just some of the reasons why everyone should give to Streetsblog. It’s not easy for an executive director of a non-profit to ask you to give to another organization besides their own, especially now. But that’s exactly what I’m doing. Streetsblog is just that important to my work, and the work of all transportation advocates I know.
Thank you Kate. And a big thank you to the 100+ readers who’ve given to Streetsblog so far during this pledge drive. Those contributions have added up to more than $13,000. Can you help us raise $5,000 more over the Thanksgiving weekend? Any contribution large or small helps Streetsblog continue our high-impact reporting.
Streetsblog is a non-profit news source, and all donations are tax-deductible. If you are interested in making a major gift, matching donation, or corporate sponsorship during this pledge drive, please email me at ben [at] streetsblog [dot] org to learn more.
Have a great holiday everyone. We’ll see you back here on Monday.
Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.
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