NYDaily News Brooklyn cyclist "doored"-fatally struck

A 64 year old cyclist was "doored" and run over. Pronounced dead at Bellevue Hospital. The NYDN negects to include facts like whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet. Although in this sad case it doesn't seem like it would have made a difference. That intersection and area has seen a lot of accidents. 8 involving cyclists. An environmental impact study might have noted that risk. Made recommendation.***** https://www.yahoo.com/news/brooklyn-bicyclist-dies-being-doored-192000344.html

Vision Zero lithium ion battery fire**WPIX**Harlem

I killed. 18 injured.************* Deadly Harlem fire that killed 1, injured 18 caused by lithium-ion battery: FDNY

NY Daily News: Maspeth Queens Box Truck fatally strikes cyclist

There is not much information provided. The driver stopped. The cylist expired in hospital. One thing of note-a cap is seen lying on the pavement. It would seem it belonged to the cyclist. Implies NO HELMET worn.*******https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/22/cyclist-fatally-struck-by-box-truck-driver-in-queens/

WNET Hoboken City Councilman **Deliverista for a Day

A Hoboken City Councilman-a Vison Zero advocate rode an e-bike to gain first hand experience. OF NOTE-a professional delivery agent is shown stating that enforcement would work. If he got a ticket he would tell fellow agents-and it would stop.*****https://www.njspotlightnews.org/video/hoboken-councilman-takes-to-the-streets-as-e-delivery-rider/

NYDaily News-New Agency Crack Down e-bike safety(?)

Dep Mayor Meeri Joshi talks about the prospects for a new agency or sub agency to deal with the e-bike scourge. In prior pieces no specific mention is made about enforcement.****https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/18/as-deaths-climb-nyc-mulls-e-bike-safety-crackdown-under-new-agency-planned-by-mayor-adams/

New York Magazine***Mark Gorton Trans Alt money bags exposed

More than 12 years ago I was misquoted in New York Magazine. I said the lawless conditions on the streets and sidewalks were "a KIND of terrorism." The writer-from Boston-was all about free wheeling two wheeling Trans Alt BS. They wanted an opposing point of view. They allowed him to misquote me. Well neighbors how times have changed. I offerred to write a piece for NYM a couple of times. I was willing to settle for this. Better late than never. Check this out.******* https://nymag.com/intelligencer/article/mark-gorton-american-values-2024-election-rfk-jr.html

Village Sun:: OP ED Intro 758 must pass Maria Danzilo

Maria Danzilo of One City Rising a non partisan org makes cogent points in favor of public safety and the need to pass CM Holden's E-Bike regulating bill #758. Common sense ain't that common these days.**** https://thevillagesun.com/opinion-nyc-cannot-wait-any-longer-to-regulate-micro-mobility-vehicles

SOHO ALLIANCE-Hearings on Congestion Pricing

The MTA Congestion Pricing program, a toll for vehicles entering Manhattan below 60th Street, is set to go into effect later this year. Its goal is to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, as well as raising funds for the MTA. Considering the inordinate number of vehicles traversing SoHo going to the Holland Tunnel, the program could have a significant effect on our neighborhood. However, it could present financial difficulties for local residents who require their vehicles for, say, medical appointments or work outside Manhattan. More information on the toll rate schedule here. Senator Brian Kavanagh is seeking to hear from his constituents on this subject and is hosting a meeting on it Thursday, February 15 from 6:00 to 8:30 pm at BMCC TriBeCa Performing Arts Center, 199 Chambers Street near West Street. MTA officials will present their plan and there will be a Q&A with the public. Registration is required via https://bit.ly/mtainfosession The MTA will also be holding its own public hearings and comment sessions on Thursday, February 29 at 6pm, Friday, March 1 at 10am, Monday, March 4 at 10 am, and Monday March 4 at pm. Click here to register to attend in person or via Zoom at https://mta.zoom.us/j/82624594335 Sean Sweeney

Village Sun Interview::Mayor Adams on the public safety crisis-e-bikes etc.

Scofflaw e-bikes, micro-mobility vehicles As the newspaper did two months ago, The Village Sun once again queried Adams on what he plans to do about reckless riders of e-bikes, mopeds and micro-mobility vehicles. And, once again, he responded that’s always a hot topic at community meetings he attends all around the city. Speaking after Adams’s recent State of the City address — where the mayor announced creation of a new Department of Sustainable Delivery — Councilmember Robert Holden scoffed at Adams saying he is not familiar with his bill, which calls for licensing and registering all e-bikes. Adams, however, reiterated that he has still not read Holden’s bill, noting there are a lot of bills. Instead he favors one by Councilmember Gale Brewer that would require delivery apps to ensure the e-bike delivery workers complete a bicycle safety course designed by the Department of Transportation. Adams added that the new Department of Sustainable Delivery also would help the situation. But Holden just shrugged regarding the new department, saying nothing else matters unless all e-bikes are first licensed and registered. Adams also pointed the finger at consumers. “Part of the issue…post-COVID, everyone is getting everything delivered,” he said. “And so the same people who are saying, ‘We’re tired of these delivery bicyclists,’ they’re ordering on Amazon for toothpaste. Everything, we get delivered. So now we have to regulate without being heavy-handed, that’s the goal.” In addition to saying he supports Brewer’s bill, Adams also noted the city has removed “thousands of illegal mopeds and dirt bikes and other illegal micro-mobility vehicles from our streets.” “We’re not sitting on our hands,” he assured. “But everybody must play a role in how we regain control of our streets.”

New York City*** 268 Lithium Ion Battery Fires 2023*** NYC

2023 saw 268 fires caused by lithium ion battery fires in New York City 18 deaths. There were 2 fires last week.

Royal Flush-ing*** Congestion Pricing Pro and Con

Written by Jose Martinez. Comment by a concerned observer*** Comment** And of course, at no time does anyone question the folly of giving any additional funds to the MTA which has mismanaged both planning and funding its projects for years. Now Adams and the Queens council woman are now feeling the heat. I think it’s going down. The lawsuits, especially from NJ are significant. The whole plan was poorly thought out and implemented, and the arrogant policy wonks from TA at the DOT took their power for granted when they had already alienated a large part of the driving and non-driving public. No one really sees this as an improvement. And the financial situation has changed for the worse for most people, they have less tolerance, and there’s no real benefit for the average person. Does anyone believe that service is going to get better on the MTA? Stay tuned. And watch the slow train wreck this will be, even if it starts, it will be the next big issue point for the public for the next Mayor*** > > > Transit Bucks on the Line > > Lawsuits aimed at derailing congestion pricing are delaying $15 billion in long-planned improvements to the transit system, MTA officials warned this week. > > Subway signal upgrades on multiple lines, accessibility upgrades at 20 stations and the expansion of the Second Avenue Subway to East Harlem are among the key projects in the MTA’s capital program that are imperiled by legal challenges to the first-in-the-nation vehicle-tolling plan. > > Those projects would be funded by money raised by the congestion plan, which would put $15 tolls on motorists driving into the densest parts of Manhattan. The state legislature approved congestion pricing in 2019, but its rollout has been repeatedly delayed. > > “The future of these projects is on the line — $15 billion worth of our work is not able to get done or implemented or started up,” said Jamie Torres-Springer, president of MTA Construction and Development, at a public hearing Tuesday on the toll plan. > > The long-delayed effort to toll motorists driving south of 60th Street in Manhattan is facing several lawsuits that have been filed by politicians that include New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy and Staten Island Borough President Vito Fosella. > > — Jose Martinez > > Royal Flush-ing > Virus-free.www.avast.com

WBGO-Scott Pringle reporting Daniel Harrison of Trans Alt "statistics"

As usual Trans Alt's stats are suspect.Also spun to make it seems like cyclists are being short changed. Hah! Authentic stats from emergency rooms visits are missing.According to NYC EVSA the visits are mounting. The accidents caused by cyclists and micro transport are at a crisis level. TA oversight? No Vision Zero has tunnel vision. Uses Trump like twisting of truth. Any group that was and remains against enforcement is not rational.**** https://www.wbgo.org/news/2024-02-07/traffic-fatalities-drop-16-in-10-years-of-vision-zero

New York Daily News Feb 2 24 Michael Garland FDNY EMS Response times-SLOWER

Andrew Ansboro Head of the Uniformed Firefighters Assoc cites statistics. Attributes the dilemma to a reduction of personnel and the fact that the bikes lanes and outdoor dining have "Screwed up" the ability of the EMS to negotiate the grid. How's that for calling a spade a spade? Would an environmental impact study have saved lives? Another example of a reckless disregard for public safety exhibited by the "visionless visionaries" of Vision Zero.Can AI cure hubris?******************* https://www.nydailynews.com/2024/02/02/fdny-and-nyu-form-ai-team-up-to-speed-up-response-times/