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.

Opinion: To Save Summer Streets, Lose The Cops, Not the Security
Opinion: To Save Summer Streets, Lose The Cops, Not the Security
By Jason Froimowitz
August 10, 2026
If Summer Streets’ new security measures are here to stay, the city should replace NYPD vehicles with physical barriers, cut police staffing costs and use the investment to make the event last all weekend.
Monday’s Headlines: Kill The Lawyers Edition
Monday’s Headlines: Kill The Lawyers Edition
By Gersh Kuntzman
August 10, 2026
Lawsuits pile up. Plus other news.
NYPD De-Escalates Its ‘Bummer Streets’ Policing At This Week’s Car-Free DOT Event
NYPD De-Escalates Its ‘Bummer Streets’ Policing At This Week’s Car-Free DOT Event
By Sammy Sussman
August 9, 2026
Summer Streets was mostly once again a joyous event, though the NYPD did what it could to spoil the fun again.
Bus Riders Tell Mamdani: Don’t Wait for BRT to Get Illegal Parking Out of the Bus’s Way
Bus Riders Tell Mamdani: Don’t Wait for BRT to Get Illegal Parking Out of the Bus’s Way
By Poppy Wilkinson
August 7, 2026
Clearing illegal parking out of the way of buses is “low-hanging fruit” for Mayor Mamdani to speed up transit trips.
Industry Group Wants Mamdani to Push Car Owners to Switch to Micromobility
Industry Group Wants Mamdani to Push Car Owners to Switch to Micromobility
By Sophia Lebowitz
August 7, 2026
Mayor Mamdani could do a lot more to get New Yorkers out of cars and onto micromobility devices, industry leaders said.
Eyes on the Street: ‘Roomy’ Lafayette/Fourth Bike Lane Already Blocked by Illegal Parking
Eyes on the Street: ‘Roomy’ Lafayette/Fourth Bike Lane Already Blocked by Illegal Parking
By Poppy Wilkinson
August 7, 2026
The revamped two-way bike lane on Lafayette Street and Fourth Avenue is complete — and already blocked with illegal parking.
Friday Video: Now Do Cars
Friday Video: Now Do Cars
By Sophia Lebowitz
August 7, 2026
E-bike safety is top of mind for New York’s political class, but what about cars that kill and injury far more people?
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