New York, NY – The Progressive Caucus, in partnership with Transportation Alternatives and Streets Pac, participated in its fifth annual Bike to Work Day today with group rides and a rally at City Hall to continue to call for improvements in design and street safety, and to promote cycling advocacy and engagement. This annual event aims to bring attention to the need for resources to support bike safety, education, and infrastructure throughout the city. Cycling promotes a healthy lifestyle, environmentally sustainable behavior, and a viable transportation option within a congested and overburdened system.
Especially with the looming shutdown of the L train coming early next year, the Caucus advocated that City should improve street design and safety to allow for accessible alternatives to transportation, including bike lanes, but also bus and other forms of public transit. The Progressive Caucus has been an outspoken advocate on this issue, and the Caucus’ policy platform “Resistance & Progress: 18 Progressive Policies for 2018,” includes bike- and transit-related policy priorities, including the further expansion of the Citi Bike bike-share program in outer boroughs, support of Fair Fares to allow those at or below the federal policy line to purchase reduced fare MetroCards, and the expansion of Bus Rapid Transits to reach underserved areas and seniors.
“Bike ridership continues to increase in our City, for that reason we must ensure riders are protected with the necessary infrastructure,” said Council Member Ben Kallos, Co-Chair of the Progressive Caucus. “My tradition to support Bike to Work Day continues into my second term as does my work for more investments in safe cycling, Vision Zero, and the expansion of a protected network of bike lanes throughout my district and the City.”
“Bike riding offers New York City residents with a healthy, environmentally friendly, and convenient mode of transportation,” said Council Member Antonio Reynoso, Member of the Progressive Caucus. “The administration must do much more to invest in bicycle infrastructure and crack down on dangerous driver behavior like double parking in bike lanes to ensure that cycling is safe for all. We must also work to expand bike share programs to underserved communities that currently lack other viable transportation alternatives. Thank you to the Progressive Caucus for your continued advocacy on behalf of this cause.”
“Cycling is becoming a critical form of transportation in New York, and has real potential to ensure a better city for all of us. By cutting down on fuel emissions, cycling creates a healthier environment; and it also reduces the strain on our overburdened mass transit system. For that, we dedicate this day to celebrating cycling’s contributions to our city, while continuing to raise the urgent need for safer transportation infrastructure for cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists alike,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal, Member of the Progressive Caucus.
“StreetsPAC is proud to partner with the City Council’s Progressive Caucus and our fellow advocacy organizations on our 5th Annual Bike to Work Day,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “And we’re grateful that so many members of the Progressive Caucus have dedicated themselves to making New York City’s streets safer for people on foot, on bikes, on transit and in motor vehicles. We look forward to a future in which every day is Bike to Work Day.”
“Thanks to the staunch support of the Progressive Caucus, we’ve seen the expansion of safer infrastructure for people on bikes, and with it, the growth of bicycling in New York City,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “As the L Train shutdown looms, we look forward to continue working with the Progressive Caucus to make sure dedicated space is allocated for both buses and cyclists, including 24/7 busways and protected bike lanes along 13th Street and Grand Street in order to keep hundreds of thousands of daily L Train daily riders moving,”
“As we celebrate Bike Month, we applaud the City Council’s Progressive Caucus for championing cycling in our city, supporting Citi Bike’s growth, and showing how easy, eco-friendly, and fun biking to work can be,” said Kris Sandor, Citi Bike General Manager.
###