Bikes & Bike Lanes

With spring in full swing and summer fast approaching, there is a buzz of excitement in the air as more and more New Yorkers are finally emerging from their winter hibernation. Just walk outside your stuffy office or classroom and take note of the large increase in people enjoying the outdoors. You might notice more commuters walking to their destinations, more children playing happily in the park, or more joggers whizzing by with water bottles in hand.

New York City is the most populated city in the United States and this will become a lot more evident as the weather becomes nicer. Of course, pedestrians are not the only ones who will flood the streets over the next few months. Cyclists, too, will significantly increase in number as more and more people decide to take their helmets and gear out of storage to take their bicycles for a spin. Read more…

On January 1, 2014, thousands of people gathered in the frigidweather to watch the inauguration of Mayor Bill de Blasio at City Hall. After a total of twelve years under the administration of Michael Bloomberg, New York’s most powerful politicians and celebrities stood alongside supporters in anticipation as de Blasio promised to “march toward a fairer, more just, more progressive place.” The day was a memorable one, as it marked the beginning of a new era for New York City.

While the crowd focused attentively on its new mayor, on the sidelines stood a refined-looking woman, bundled up in a warm furry hat and a heavy red scarf. She looked no different than the rest of the thousands of people who were gathered at City Hall that day, except this woman was wearing a ‘Vision Zero’ tag attached to her coat. Her name was Polly Trottenberg, and she would soon be replacing Janette Sadik-Khan as the new Department of Transportation Commissioner.

The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has several responsibilities, including the maintenance of city streets and the authorization of bus services and street construction permits. As the official overseer of all transportation-related matters, the DOT also advocates for transportation safety issues – most notably, the promotion of pedestrian and bicycle safety through the implementation of bike lanes and plazas. Read more…