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

Wednesday’s Headlines: The Never-Ending Pro-Car Bias of Marcia Kramer Edition

Speaker Corey Johnson rallied with street safety advocates on Tuesday to celebrate today's expected passing of his "Streets Master Plan" bill, and for the most part, everyone was able to see the bill for what it is (Streetsblog, NYDN, NY Post, amNY).

Everyone except WCBS2's Marcia Kramer. Continuing to carry her station's relentless pro-car agenda, Kramer asked a series of questions that would have been shocking had they not so clearly been the death throes of an old petroleum-based order being finally pushed to the edge of history's abyss.

First, she questioned — as she often does — whether anyone in city government will step up enforcement against cyclists (ignoring that the NYPD admitted earlier in the week that a disproportionately large portion of all red light tickets —22 percent — go to cyclists, despite their tiny population and minuscule killing power).

But she really revealed her bias when she questioned Johnson about his desire to reallocate curbside space currently used for free car storage for more socially responsible uses, such as more space for pedestrians and transit. In a long windup to her question, Kramer claimed that residents need their cars in "transit desserts such as Washington Heights..."

Washington Heights? You mean the four-block-wide neighborhood with two subway lines and a half-dozen bus lines? It was such a ludicrous comment that Streetsblog dug a little deeper for an epic Twitter rant about Kramer and her news director David Friend (portions below; full rant here).

What a day at City Hall. Here's all the news you might have missed:

    • Lots of outlets covered a move to stiffen penalties for reckless drivers who kill, a worthy bill from Manhattan DA Cyrus Vance and two state senators. The days of "It was just an accident!" may soon be over. (NYDN, NY Post, amNY)
    • And don't forget that on Wednesday, the City Council will also pass a bill reforming the rogue private carting industry, another move that will make streets safer. (NY Post)
    • There's a better way to reduce fare evasion — and it doesn't require 500 unaccountable CuomoCops. (WSJ)
    • Since when did "Take the A Train" become a heavy metal song? (NY Post)
    • How is the MTA doing seven years after Sandy? Let's put it this way — if the next superstorm were to, say, not happen for a few more years, that would be nice. (Politico)
    • And from the assignment desk, tonight is State Sen. Zellnor Myrie's bike safety forum, which Dave Colon previewed for Streetsblog.
    • And, finally, Pete Wells finally revealed the truth about the overrated Peter Luger steakhouse. Our editor was gloating all day because he wrote his version in 2009.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Judge Orders Trump to Restore $34M in Security Funding to MTA

DHS overstepped its authority when it attempted to tie money from the Transit Security Grant Program to the Trump administration's efforts to deport immigrants, Judge Lewis Kaplan said.

October 16, 2025

Friday Video: Drool Over This London School Street

That's cricket! Check out how London transformed a roadway around a big stadium into a play street.

October 16, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Gateway ‘Terminator’ Edition

President Trump abruptly announced he'd "terminated" the Gateway Tunnel project while taking aim at Chuck Schumer. Plus more news.

October 16, 2025

Trump’s Electrification Cuts are Short-Sighted: Report

EV infrastructure is far more valuable to the nation's prosperity and jobs market than the White House believes, according to a new report.

October 16, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Another Highway Boondoggle Erased Edition

Maybe the worm has turned on these awful boondoggles? Plus other news.

October 15, 2025

Book Excerpt Special: ‘War on Cars’ Hosts Explore Life After the Automobile

...and why it's so urgent that we work for a better future.

October 15, 2025
See all posts