Last year, I asked 60,000 families to contribute to my "Livable Streets" report by letting me know where East Side streets need improvement. Because of the report, the Department of Transportation has agreed to do Pedestrian Interval Studies at dangerous intersections, install a bus shelter and bike rack, and beautify our streets.
Following the report, the DOT and NYPD also released a Vision Zero Borough Pedestrian Safety Plan for Manhattan. They included included priority corridors on 1st, 2nd and 3rd Ave as well as intersections from my report: Lexington Avenue and East 86th Street, 2nd Avenue and East 79th Street, East 75th Street and 1st Avenue, East 62nd Street and 1st Avenue, 3rd Avenue and 57th Street, and 2nd Avenue and East 53rd Street.
To learn more about how we are working to make the east side safer, you can read the report and my statement online, or have a look at the article in Our Town.
We’ve all experienced long wait times whether it is waiting for multiple trains to go by until you can get on or waiting for local buses, while select buses fly by or while buses never come. I am fighting to get the MTA to release Bus Time historical time and location information so we can use data to force improvements in service. Please report on your experiences with bus or subway service.
Safe biking is a top concern for pedestrians, motorists and cyclists alike. We held three forums on the issue and launched a Commercial Bike Safety program to educate and provide commercial cyclists with free safety vests, lights and bells. The program empowers you to call 311 and my office if you see commercial bikes, biking dangerously, or without vests, lights, bells, or identification numbers. In the warmer months, we will increase education and enforcement.
Ferry Service on the East Side
Ferry service is coming to our waterfronts, according to a plan announced by the Mayor during his state of the city speech, including connections between Roosevelt Island and Astoria, Long Island City, and 34th Street in Manhattan, as well as East 90th Street and East 62nd Street with lower Manhattan and the Bronx. Following Senator Schumer and Congresswoman Maloney, I have advocated for expanded ferry service since my campaign and look forward to taking back our waterfronts with this much-needed transportation program on the East Side.
