StreetsPAC announced general election endorsements in four City Council races today.
StreetsPAC supports incumbent Jimmy Van Bramer for District 26 in Queens, which covers Woodside, Sunnyside, Long Island City, Astoria, and Maspeth. "Jimmy Van Bramer has long been a champion for safe and complete streets," says a StreetsPAC press release. "He has stood with victims’ families when reckless drivers have taken their lives, and has tirelessly advocated for more effective traffic laws." Van Bramer is a supporter of speed cameras and Citi Bike, StreetsPAC says, and he wants to extend the city's bike lane network, including the installation of a lane on the Pulaski Bridge. Van Bramer is unopposed, according to the Campaign Finance Board.
In District 5, StreetsPAC likes Ben Kallos to succeed Jessica Lappin as council rep for the Upper East Side and Roosevelt Island. Kallos would like to see bike-share expanded to the district, according to StreetsPAC, and would work to bring crosstown Select Bus Service to the Upper East and Upper West Sides. A "regular cyclist," Kallos wants traffic calmed near the Queensboro Bridge, and "envisions a true complete-streets treatment for Second Avenue after subway construction ends, with loading zones, performance-based parking, and a protected bicycle path." Kallos is running against David Garland in the general.
Across Central Park on the Upper West Side, Helen Rosenthal is the StreetsPAC pick to fill the District 6 seat, which will be vacated by term-limited Gale Brewer. Says StreetsPAC: "A lifelong cyclist who looks forward to commuting to City Hall by bicycle, Helen Rosenthal will work to bring Citi Bike to the Upper West Side and, with the inclusion of Central Park in District 6, remove cars once and for all from the park loop." StreetsPAC cites Rosenthal's record as chair of Community Board 7, including her support for protected bike lanes on Columbus and Amsterdam Avenues. Rosenthal is also interested in "the eventual completion of an uninterrupted greenway around Manhattan." Rosenthal is running against Tom Siracuse and Harry DeMell.
StreetsPAC has endorsed John Mancuso in Staten Island's District 50, to replace term-limited James Oddo. StreetsPAC says Mancuso's "most urgent" priority is safety improvements for Hylan Boulevard and other crash-prone Staten Island streets. “John Mancuso is a breath of fresh air for Staten Island, which is in dire need of more and better transportation options,” said StreetsPAC board member Glenn McAnanama, via the press release. “John clearly understands that the solution to Staten Island’s traffic problems isn’t just wider roads. He will advocate for rational bridge tolling, and his support for pedestrian and bike access to the Verrazano Narrows Bridge will help make the Harbor Ring a reality.” Mancuso is running against Steven Matteo.
StreetsPAC is NYC’s first livable streets political action committee.
