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

Friday’s Headlines: The Real Agenda Edition

A newbie on a bike.

Our old man editor was happy that NY1 called him to talk about the ongoing bike shortage, but was disappointed that reporter Angi Gonzalez didn't pursue the real story that he pitched her — namely, that the shortage of bikes means that there are a lot of bikes being sold, which means there are a lot of newbie cyclists on the road, which means there will be a lot of dead and injured cyclists if Mayor de Blasio doesn't do something to improve road safety before we get back to "normal." (Take a breath.)

So maybe NY1 wasn't interested in following its story to its logical end, but we intend to keep highlighting the broad implications on safety for the most vulnerable road users, especially those who live in neighborhoods where roadways are far more dangerous.

Meanwhile, here's the rest of yesterday's news:

    • Speaking of equity issues, Alissa Walker's Curbed piece about, well, equity issues, is a must-read. Please stop what you're doing to read it.
    • In case you missed it, Bloomberg had a story about famed restaurant architect David Rockwell jumping into the effort to create open streets for eateries — the effort that Mayor de Blasio keeps resisting.
    • Like Streetsblog, Guse of the Newsuh covered a new report from the Trust for Public Land that shows the mayor's open streets plan isn't good enough yet.
    • Gothamist offered second-day coverage of the slight uptick in subway ridership.
    • ...And for those of you without cars, it's Netflix and chill. (Gothamist)
    • The Daily News covered the killing of an up-and-coming lawyer on the Upper East Side on Wednesday, but left out key details from a ScooterCaster video of the aftermath, which you'll have to get from Streetsblog.
    • The MTA is begging people not to take the train or the bus to the beach this weekend, which is fine for people with cars. (NY Post)
    • Better service is returning to the Staten Island Ferry. (NYDN)
    • It appears Mayor de Blasio has finally gotten the message about the NYPD's abysmal policing of open space. (WSJ)
    • The Post reported that Council Member Chaim Deutsch is calling for the city to reopen to help small businesses — but didn't mention in its triple-byline story that Deutsch made the request a day earlier in a Tweet with a location stamp showing the NYC lawmaker was in Long Island at the time, as pointed out by Aaron Eisenberg on Twitter.
    • And, finally, every word of this Megan Abbott tribute to bars is accurate, according to our old man editor, who learned to read from sounding out the words on the cocktail menu at the Monkey Bar. (NY Times)

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Wednesday’s Headlines: 2nd-Most Important Job Edition

When will Mayor-Elect Mamdani name a DOT commissioner? Plus other news.

December 31, 2025

The Year in Mamdani: The Incoming Mayor Was on the Streetsblog Beat in 2025

These are the transportation policy highlights of Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's improbable 2025 run for City Hall.

December 31, 2025

Danger Ahead: City To Let Car Drivers Reoccupy Forest Park Next Week

Freedom Drive will no longer be free from drivers.

December 30, 2025

Streetsies 2025: The Losers of the Year

If you want to talk about losers, this year had 'em in bunches. Hate-vote for your favorite!

December 30, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines: Going in Style Edition

Kudos to an old nemesis ... and other news.

December 30, 2025

Exclusive: Mamdani Pick for Top Diversity Official Is a Recidivist Bus Lane Blocker

Michael Garner, a former MTA official, has been caught blocking bus lanes or bus stops six times this year alone, city records show.

December 29, 2025
See all posts