The latest streets and transportation news from Streetsblog NYC.

Today’s newsletter shares the Good News of what happens when a bike lane opponent realizes that the installation of a bike lane has actually been a great thing: for his neighbors, for his streets and even for his business.

Join Summer Specialist Emily Smith as she interviews Lampros Tsampas, the owner of King Souvlaki, the food truck that, for so many months, was one of the public faces of the opposition to the city’s plan for a bike lane on 31st Street in Queens.

Now that the bike lane is in place, Tsampas loves it.

It’s like what we always say: streetscape changes are the most controversial thing in this city … until they’re in place, then everyone loves them. Times Square, Broadway Vision, the 34th Avenue open street (now Paseo Park), the 14th Street busway — all were bitterly opposed by some people, yet all of them made the naysayers yaysayers once the work was done and people got used to it.

We’re not here to gloat. We’re here to celebrate Tsampas as he joins the livable streets movement — good for safety, good for quality of life and, yes, good for business.

Mamdani’s BQE Plan Doubles Down on the Failures of the Past
Mamdani’s BQE Plan Doubles Down on the Failures of the Past
By Kevin Duggan
August 25, 2026
The mayor’s $4 billion plan would effectively lock in the car and truck conveyor for generations, critics charged.
Tuesday’s Headlines: Doubly Disappointed Edition
Tuesday’s Headlines: Doubly Disappointed Edition
By
August 25, 2026
The Mamdani-O-Meter isn’t dead, it’s just very disappointed. Plus the news.
Mamdani Will Rebuild the BQE to Last Until 2080 Despite Calls to Tear it Down
Mamdani Will Rebuild the BQE to Last Until 2080 Despite Calls to Tear it Down
By Kevin Duggan
August 24, 2026
Mayor Mamdani wants to build a temporary bypass road to allow for a 10-year, $4-billion rebuild of the BQE triple-cantilever.
Uber and Waymo Have Spent More Than $15M This Year Lobbying New York Pols
Uber and Waymo Have Spent More Than $15M This Year Lobbying New York Pols
By Austin C. Jefferson
August 24, 2026
So much for affordability. Big Tech spent massive sums to back it’s state legislative aims this year.
Monday’s Headlines: Time for Action Edition
Monday’s Headlines: Time for Action Edition
By David Meyer
August 24, 2026
Transportation Alternatives has called for a “die-in” outside City Hall this coming Wednesday amid impatience with the city’s slow progress toward eliminating traffic deaths after hit-and-run drivers killed killed three cyclists in the span of three days last week.
Hit-and-Run Drivers Killed Three Cyclists in Three Days
Hit-and-Run Drivers Killed Three Cyclists in Three Days
By David Meyer
August 21, 2026
Advocates called on the mayor to take action after a BMW driver allegedly struck Mamadou Diallo, of Canarsie, head-on before fleeing the scene.
City Floats Busway, Parking Maximums to Ease Traffic from Red Hook Redevelopment
City Floats Busway, Parking Maximums to Ease Traffic from Red Hook Redevelopment
By Kevin Duggan
August 21, 2026
Red Hook and the Columbia Street Waterfront could finally get a working bus as the city plans 6,000 more homes for the area.
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