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

Can Vision Zero Survive NYC’s Tabloid Editorial Boards?

New mayor. New DOT commissioner. Same old myopic Daily News editorial board.

The opinion writers who spent four years undermining the implementation of safer street designs want "clear and transparent data" from Mayor de Blasio's Vision Zero initiative. Good idea, right? But when the data is right under their noses, they're still not satisfied.

In a piece that's ostensibly about holding the city to its traffic safety targets, the Daily News opinion team is still complaining about the Midtown pedestrian plazas on Broadway, which cut pedestrian injuries by 35 percent along the project area. Why? Because the city went ahead and made the safer design permanent, even though, according to the News, data on "average traffic flow rates" didn't support the initial rationale for the project.

Except they're wrong -- average traffic speeds did increase, according to millions of taxi trips measured with GPS units. All the major nuances in the data (southbound traffic did slow down a tad) are captured in the city's summary report [PDF].

The Daily News also still has beef with bike lanes, with their unequivocally positive safety record, and Citi Bike, which has recently been opening up all manner of data about bike-share trips.

Meanwhile, the data that street safety advocates really want to see opened up in standard, transparent format -- NYPD's crash information -- doesn't get a mention from the Daily News.

Open data is an absolute necessity for the public to assess policy and hold government accountable. But when the numbers are staring you in the face and you still insist on more data before taking action, maybe you just don't want things to change. The Daily News opinion page is, after all, the same opinion page that fell back on the "more data" mantra when it called for the city to slow down on the 34th Street separated transitway, which the city abandoned soon after.

Eliminating traffic deaths is an ambitious goal that will require massive change -- including more transformative street redesigns than the 34th Street transitway. Can the city make it happen if tabloid opinion writers are pushing against it every step of the way?

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Friday Video: Welcome to the ‘War on Cars’

Here's a pithy, witty, concise synopsis of why cars suck from the makers of America's best-loved podcast.

September 13, 2024

The Car Stole Our Bliss — And It Started 125 Years Ago Today

The automobile got its first taste of blood 125 years ago tomorrow — and it's never been able to kick the habit.

September 13, 2024

Council Bill Could Chill Citizen Reporting That Dramatically Boosted Idling Enforcement

Sweeping proposed changes to city's citizen commercial idling enforcement program will "chill" public participation, opponents warn.

September 13, 2024

Friday’s Headlines: Greening Medians Edition

From mean streets to green streets? Yes, thanks to a Council bill.

September 13, 2024

Swiss Miss: MTA Claims Neutrality in Pro-Congestion Pricing Lawsuits

The MTA is sitting out the latest lawsuits aimed at restoring congestion pricing, according to an agency court filing.

September 13, 2024
See all posts