Aaron Naparstek

Today's "Today's Headlines" is dedicated to catching up on some interesting stories that slipped past us last week. As always, feel free to add your own finds in the comments section or send them to tips@streetsblog.org.

166 pedestrians were killed by cars and trucks on New York City streets in 2006. Already this year, too many have lost their lives (pdf) on New York City streets. Just one week ago, James Rice, 4, was killed by a turning SUV while crossing Baltic Street in Boerum Hill. What makes this young boy's death even more appalling is that the intersection where he was killed was slated for traffic calming improvements nearly three years ago.

As people living in the neighborhoods around Downtown Brooklyn are learning the hard way, New York City government's installation of pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures is remarkably slow and expensive. Even as children are dying while crossing the street in potentially preventable crashes, and even with projects approved and funded, New York City's bureaucracy appears to be organizationally unable to move faster than a snail's pace when it comes to installing fine-grained, spot-by-spot pedestrian safety and traffic calming measures.

DOT Commissioner Kate Ascher: "It's not happening. It's not possible. That information is incorrect."

We are interested in creating a new feature -- a collection of links to Streetsblog-ish web sites in other cities around the world. Ideally, this collection of links will represent the best, most comprehensive, most readable group of Livable Streets bloggers anywhere.

Word has it that the city is finally cracking down on uncivil servants' illegal parking privileges. Was this the final outrage that finally spurred the Bloomberg Administration to take action?

On Tuesday we posted an "Eyes on the Street" item looking at the sorry, snowed-in condition of the bike lane running through Herald Square. Seth Taylor at the 34th Street Partnership sends along the photo above and explains:

DOT has gotten back to me with some answers.  

When there isn't snow on the ground where does all the black stuff go?

Sources say that Mayor Michael Bloomberg will name the replacement for outgoing Department of Transportation commissioner Iris Weinshall later this week. Word has it the job may be going to Kate Ascher.