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

This is the story about how East Harlem residents and street safety advocates -- with leadership from Council Member Melissa Mark-Viverito -- banded together to win complete streets on First and Second Avenues. After the city backtracked on a plan to build protected bike lanes and pedestrian refuges up to 125th Street on the East Side of Manhattan, this coalition mobilized to put the project back on the table. Later, when the safety improvements came under attack from a few business owners, public health professionals joined Mark-Viverito and NYC DOT to combat misinformation about the redesign and see it through to implementation.

Former Streetsblog Reporter Noah Kazis covered the campaign for protected bike lanes in East Harlem and helps recount the story in this video.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Wednesday’s Headlines: Duffy on Day 100 Edition

"Good Day New York" co-host Curt Menefee doesn't buy Sean Duffy's arguments against congestion pricing. Plus more news.

April 30, 2025

Arborcide! City Quietly Axes Street Tree Requests

Here's a tree-mendous piece of bad news. Not to mention, the agency closed out requests on Earth Day of all days.

April 30, 2025

Council Member Yusef Salaam Throws Support Behind Albany Push To Rein In Speeding Drivers

Council Member Yusef Salaam is using his lived experience to move towards the ultimate North Star of street safety: holding repeatedly reckless drivers accountable.

April 30, 2025

Council Pols Fume as NYPD Disputes Report of Racial Bias in Traffic Enforcement

"Like stop-and-frisk, the NYPD uses traffic stops as a tool to harass and humiliate Black and brown men and these stops often spiral into police brutality," said one expert.

April 29, 2025

Subway Ridership Keeps Rising Despite Sean Duffy’s Best Efforts

It's like an old Catskills joke: No one rides the subway anymore — it's too crowded.

April 29, 2025
See all posts