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

Tuesday’s Headlines: New Prescription for Vision Zero Edition

Today's action will be at City Hall, where Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets will demand more focus from Mayor de Blasio on his signature issue, Vision Zero. Road fatalities are up 30 percent this year over last, and everyone (well, Streetsblog and amNY, at least) is asking why. We asked Council Speaker Corey Johnson's office if the legislature will finally pass the Vision Zero Design Standards bill, which would force the city to make roads safer — and were told to stay tuned for today's noontime rally (oh boy!).

Meanwhile, much of officialdom will be at the 11 a.m. funeral for former City Council Member Lew Fidler, who died way too young at age 62 on Sunday, or at the 11:30 a.m. rites for former Queens District Attorney Richard Brown, who died at 86 on Saturday.

Here's the roundup of yesterday's news:

    • Global warming, what global warming?: Gov. Cuomo is sharpening his scissors to open the second span of the Kosciuszko Bridge ahead of schedule in September. The sole bit of good news? The span does include a bike and pedestrian path instead of a fifth lane for cars on the Brooklyn-bound side (NYDN). Meanwhile, amNY played it straight.
    • The Daily News editorial board is still crowing about Gov. Cuomo's L-train plan. Seriously, this is like the fifth editorial on the subject of Cuomo's genius. Sorry, make that the sixth!
    • Meanwhile, Gov. Cuomo slammed the MTA for overtime costs that, largely, stem from contracts that he approved when he needed the support of the working man and woman. (NY Post)
    • Terrible news: A 67-year-old woman who had been injured by a cyclist in Midtown has died (CBS2). This is an entirely preventable death, so please remember to ride safe and care for pedestrians — cyclists' natural allies in the war on cars. Donna Sturm is the first clear-cut case of a pedestrian killed by a cyclist since September, 2014 (Gothamist). In the same amount of time, 697 pedestrians and cyclists have been killed by car and truck drivers — but you can be sure that anti-bike Twitter and Curtis Sliwa will suggest that the death toll is roughly equal.
    • Indeed, here's a reminder of the destructive power of cars. Can a bike do this? (Derick Waller, ABC7, CBS2)
    • Council Speaker Johnson and Hizzoner are in a battle over the budget (NY Post). The Speaker's proposal would add more goodies for livable streets, so you know which side we're on.
    • The last diesel bus made its last run on Monday — and Vin Barone offered a nice bit of whimsy. He also pointed out that there are only 10 electric buses in the fleet. Ten? Hello, it's 2019, people. (amNY)
    • Gov. Cuomo made some staff changes yesterday, including hiring former TLC Commissioner and Brooklyn Heights Council Member David Yassky to the position of director of state policy. (Crain's)
    • Don't be fooled by Uber's IPO, argues Jacobin.
    • And, finally, some personnel news: On Monday, Streetsblog welcomed a new editor to join the booming team of David Meyer, Julianne Cuba, Angie Schmitt and Editor Gersh Kuntzman. So say hello to our new Community Editor, Eve Kessler, who joins us after stints the Forward and the New York Post, and inside government at the Comptroller's office and the Department of Correction. Her mission: To further broaden Streetsblog's reach and scope. Want to write an op-ed or cover something local for us? Email Kessler at eve@streetsblog.org.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Bill Would Block Apps From Deactivating Workers Without Cause

A Brooklyn Council member wants delivery app companies to be more human and less robot.

July 18, 2025

Friday Video: Is Berlin a Great Biking City?

Have recent moves by anti-bike, pro-car legislators ruined the experience in the capital of a unified Germany? Sort of!

July 18, 2025

Eyes on the Street: Meeker Avenue Bike Lane Is a Failure

The Department of Transportation still hasn't finished a critical bike lane under the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway that the agency has been stalling for over four years even after identifying the strip's danger and lack of proper signals.

July 18, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Cuomo’s Road Rage Edition

Why does Andrew Cuomo drive so recklessly? Plus other news.

July 18, 2025

Fixing Third Ave. Was Once ‘Top of List’ For Eric Adams — But as Mayor He Backed Off

Mayor Adams has delayed a redesign of Brooklyn's Third Avenue despite once saying safety fixes there should be "at the top of our list."

July 17, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Jerry Nadler Edition

U.S. Rep. Jerry Nadler faced off with Sean Duffy on Capitol Hill. Plus more news.

July 17, 2025
See all posts