Saratoga going greener with Complete Streets proposal
On April 17th, a policy to promote and encourage multi-modal transportation options in Saratoga will be presented to city officials, which will be immediately followed by a public hearing. For now over a year, the group Shared Access Saratoga has been influential in formulating a complete streets policy in Saratoga to improve the community and its access. Governor Cuomo signed the Complete Streets Bill into effect in 2011, after hard work and assistance from NYBC members, and it is now beginning to be included in community planning.
NYBC is excited and encouraged that Saratoga is embarking on a Complete Streets initiative the NYBC worked so tirelessly on to bring to law in New York State. NYBC sent a letter of support for the project which you can read here. NYBC strongly supports Saratogas Complete Street policy proposal, and urge concerned citizens in the area to go out and support the initiative to ensure their streets allow for multiple and safe modes of transport.
A complete streets community promotes a number of community benefits including enhanced quality of life, improved community health, reduced dependence on automobiles, and less reliance on fossil fuels. It is time for Saratoga Springs to take the next step in promoting shared access for its citizens by adopting a complete streets policy.
For more information on Saratoga’s Complete Streets Initiative, Click Here.
Cycle-CNY becomes first IMBA Chapter in New York State
Cycle-CNY has served as a major information hub for mountain bikers in NY State since 2005. They have been able to forge partnerships with NYS land managers and with the largest mountain bike group in the world, the International Mountain Biking Association this past year. The IMBA charter will thrust the group into getting incorporated as a non-profit organization, and looks to expand mountain biking primarily in southern New York State but across the entire state as well. NYBC commends their efforts, and looks forward to their contribution to mountain bike advocacy and the overall bike movement to improve conditions in New York.
For any information regarding the new Cycle CNY’s work or to get involved in making Cycle-CNY a successful mountain bike nonprofit group, send them an email at natehunter@frontiernet.net, or visit their website: http://flcycling.org/?p=2746
NYBC ramps up the 2012 National Bike Summit
New York made a strong showing at the National Bike Summit March 20-22 in Washington, DC. NYBC was strongly represented at the Summit by three Board Members and Executive Director Brian Kehoe. The annual Bike Summit is where the dynamic, nationwide bicycle movement gathers to show its strength. The Summit promulgates best practices in advocacy and alliance building. The highlight of the Summit was visits by all 800 attendees with their members of Congress and the Senate. NYBC’s Brian Kehoe helped to prepare and to lead the delegation of New York State attendees to these meetings. New York’s cadre of advocacy leaders was razor sharp and made a big impact on Capital Hill. NYBC is committed to marshalling the skills and enthusiasm of these advocates to build the statewide bicycle movement in New York.
NYBC and Empire State advocates – together making NYS a great place to ride a bicycle.
NYBC Needs your Membership! Our voice is stronger in greater numbers. Join NYBC today and help fight to protect and improve bicycling across NY State.
For a look at the 2012 National Bike Summit Program, Click Here
NYBC encourages advocates to TAKE ACTION and preserve, promote and protect bicycle investment.
The 2012 Albany Bike Expo
NYBC is proud to team up with the Albany Bicycle Coalition for The 2012 Albany Bike Expo. Read more information about the event below and come out on May 6th in Washington Park:
http://www.nybc.net/
Showcasing the economic advantages of bike and pedestrian investments
In the state of Vermont, efforts have been rewarded by the Vermont Bike and Pedestrian Coalition (VTBPC), VTRANS and an organization Local Motion to analyze and create a report outlining the benefits that biking and walking have on the economy. Often overlooked, biking and walking can create considerable economic opportunities for communities from a local level up to state and federal advantages. Their final report was just completed on March 8th of 2012, and outlines the many advantages the biking and walking present to improve economic conditions in Vermont. The same benefits can be achieved and appreciated here in New York, and NYBC advocates and encourages cyclists to explore how biking can help their town or city’s economy improve.
To View their final report, Click Here.
NYBC provides testimony at Tappan Zee Hearing
On February 28, 2012 Executive Director Brian Kehoe and board member Ivan Vamos represented bicyclists at a public hearing for the Draft Environmental Impact Statement of the Tappan Zee Bridge project. The hearing was in Nyack, New York. Vamos and Kehoe provided oral testimony and writtten statements. NYBC is pleased the the project scope includes a high-quality bicycle-pedestrian facility on the north span of the new crossing. NYBC continues to work with project designers to ensure that this facility is well connected to developing trail systems in Westchester and Rockland Counties. To view the statement submitted by NYBC Click Here
To view information on the DEIS Public Hearings, Click Here
Westchester executive Astorino and residents call for mass transit on new Tappan Zee Bridge
One of the most publicized and largest infrastructure projects happening in New York State is the reconstruction of the Tappan Zee Bridge. As the bridge is being pushed into construction before the Environmental Impact Statement is fully completed, and analysis on mass-transit and bike and pedestrian facilities are accommodated. With Governor Cuomo’s desire begin construction in 2012, the time to advocate for bike, pedestrian and mass-transit inclusion is shrinking fast.
Westchester Executive Rob Astorino, along with roughly 500 supporters, stated their desire for Mass-Transit inclusion on the new bridge boasting a beginning price tag of around 5.2 billion dollars. Their argument was simple and direct in that mass-transit must be included on the new Tappan Zee, “Otherwise, we may not be building a bridge; we may be building a scenic parking lot over the Hudson River”, “Bus rapid transit must be part of the original plan. Otherwise it will never be done.” – Executive Astorino
A new Tappan Zee Bridge without mass-transit and bike and pedestrian accommodation would quite simply be an outdated bridge from the day it is completed. The “ability” to add on these features as an afterthought gives mass-transit advocates little hope that it will actually find its way onto the bridge. NYBC encourages all cyclist advocated to TAKE ACTION and let your state policy makers know that the Tappen Zee MUST include mass-transit and bike and pedestrian investment.
For more on the push for Mass-Transit inclusion on the Tappan Zee Bridge, Click Here
NYC Dept of Transportation Says Biking Is Up And Streets Are Safer
Biking in New York City continues to increase and gain momentum. Through strong advocacy and policy making, NYC has been transformed into one of the most bike-friendly cities in the country, and those numbers are only improving. Statistics from the NYC Department of Transportation conclude that there has been a 262% increase in bicycle commuting to Manhattan in the past ten years, and from 2009 to 2010 there was a 13 percent increase alone. Those numbers are rather staggering, and come largely with the implementation of strong bike policy and improvements to infrastructure.
The diagram above captures the incredible increase in bike commuting over the past decade. As these numbers continue to rise, the use of automobiles declines, while mass-transit has seen little change. With stronger policies to link Mass-Transit to Cyclists, with innovations such as bike friendly train cars for example, New York City can become a multi-modal transportation, bike friendly urban environment where the car ceases to dominate the landscape.
For more information about increased cyclist activity in NYC, Click Here
Sign the LARBC Petition and and help organize strength in numbers in support of Reconstructing a bike and pedestrian walkway on the new bridge:
Martin Daley, who is the head of the Livingston Avenue Railroad Bridge Campaign, has created a petition through the link provided below that NYBC urges all bike advocates to sign. The petition shows support for a bike and pedestrian walkway on the newly proposed bridge, and would help set precedent that cyclists need bridges across the state. Sign the petition and show that we do care about cyclist inclusion on bridges, and that New Yorkers deserve it!
There are three easy ways that you can help.
- Support the effort to restore bike and pedestrian access by signing an online petition
- Like on facebook and follow us on twitter.
- Spread the word to your neighbors, friends, and colleagues. If you represent an organization inform your members. Encourage anyone who lives, works, or recreates in the Capital Region to sign the petition, speak out, and become actively engaged.
http://www.change.org/petitions/support-restoration-of-bike-ped-access-on-the-livingston-ave-bridge