Bus Lane Expansion Stalls Under Mayor Adams, Leaving NYC Commuters in the Slow Lane
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
“This pattern of neglect is not just a failure of leadership; it’s a failure of the mayor’s responsibility to the people of New York City,” said Philip miatkowski, Interim Deputy Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “the Streets Plan isn’t a suggestion — it’s the law,and every day the administration falls behind,it puts lives at risk. No more excuses. No more delays. Mayor Adams must stop neglecting his legal obligations, get the Streets Plan back on track, and deliver the safe, protected infrastructure that our communities need to stay safe and get around.”This marks the third consecutive year of sluggish bus lane growth, raising concerns about the city’s commitment to improving commutes for its over one million daily bus riders, many of whom rely heavily on public transportation due to financial constraints. Data from the MTA reveals a troubling trend: average weekday bus speeds have declined by nearly 5 percent since Mayor Adams took office in January 2022. certain routes, like the M50 bus traversing the congested area between the United Nations and West 42nd Street, have experienced even more dramatic slowdowns, with average speeds dropping by nearly 16 percent.
“The mayor still operates the slowest buses in the country and that’s to his great shame,” said Danny Pearlstein, the director of Policy and Communications Director at Riders Alliance.When confronted with these dismal figures, DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez claimed that the agency was performing well.Though, at the current pace, it would take 28 years to meet Mayor Adams’ campaign promise of installing 150 miles of protected bus lanes during his first term. His ambitious goal of constructing 300 miles of protected bike lanes during the same period seems increasingly unattainable. The mayor’s pledge to establish bike “superhighways” remains unfulfilled. The DOT can accelerate progress on bus lane expansion by focusing on new physically protected bus lanes, implementing camera enforcement, or enhancing existing lanes with safety features.
City Lags Behind on Bus Lane and Bike Lane Goals
new york City is falling short of its ambitious goals for creating safer streets for cyclists and bus riders, according to data and expert analysis. While some progress has been made, the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) is projected to complete significantly fewer miles of protected bike lanes and bus lanes then promised. The city’s Streets Plan, a comprehensive blueprint for improving street safety and efficiency, calls for the creation of a minimum of 50 miles of protected bike lanes annually. Though, this year’s progress is projected to fall short of even last year’s record of 32 miles.Bike Lane Construction Lags
Transportation Alternatives, a transportation advocacy group, tracks bike lane construction throughout the city. As of early December, their data indicated that approximately 17 miles of new protected bike lanes had been completed, with a potential final total of around 22 miles once all ongoing projects are finalized. Brandon Chamberlin, a lawyer and bike lane enthusiast who personally inspects many of the new paths, corroborated this estimate. The DOT, while stating it was on track to install a “significant” number of protected bike lanes, declined to provide specific figures, citing ongoing data compilation.Bus Lane Goals Also Fall Short
The outlook for bus lane creation is similarly bleak. The city’s progress on bus lanes has been criticized by advocates and even emerged as a campaign issue in the upcoming mayoral race. Notable projects, such as a planned Tremont Avenue busway in the Bronx, have been postponed until next year. Mayor Adams also drew criticism for scrapping much-needed improvements to Fordham Road bus lanes, bowing to pressure from pro-car businesses. While the DOT anticipates surpassing Streetsblog’s estimate of 5.3 miles of protected bus lanes, details remain scarce.Spokesperson Vincent Barone emphasized the agency’s commitment to meeting goals, highlighting the installation of new bus lanes and camera enforcement on existing routes to improve commute times. The DOT’s reticence to release concrete figures and its past tendency to dispute reporting on bike and bus lane mileage raise concerns about openness and accountability. “We are always working towards the goals of the Streets Plan, with a record-high number of protected bike lanes and pedestrian space created, in addition to new and improved bus lanes, which have made commutes faster and more reliable for 680,000 daily riders,” said Anna Correa in a statement. “In addition to new bus lanes we’re installing this year, we’re also adding camera enforcement to existing corridors across the city to speed up commutes and help us reach our goals.”NYC Council Cracks Down on DOT’s Streets Plan Accountability
The New York City Council is taking aim at the Department of Transportation (DOT) for perceived shortcomings in implementing the city’s ambitious Streets Plan. Critics argue that the DOT has been slow to release crucial data on progress,opting instead to present it in annual reports due each February. This approach, they contend, lacks transparency and makes it difficult to track the plan’s implementation in real-time. To address these concerns, Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has introduced legislation that would mandate a public tracker for the Streets Plan. This tracker, updated monthly, would provide the public with clear and timely facts on the DOT’s progress in achieving its goals.“the street safety requirements were a ‘prime example,’ of how laws were ’only as good as their implementation’.” – Speaker Adrienne Adams
Adams emphasized the importance of implementation, stating that “the street safety requirements were a ’prime example,’ of how laws were ‘only as good as their implementation’.” The proposed legislation mirrors a similar initiative already in place for the Parks Department’s capital projects. The DOT’s perceived lack of transparency has drawn criticism from Council members. Speaker Adams previously threatened legal action against the city over its handling of the Streets Plan, though she has not yet followed through.“the Speaker takes the benchmarks of the Streets Plan as ‘critical for street safety in New York city’ and called out the Department of Transportation for ‘consistently fall[ing] short of complying with the law.'”
## Interview
**Archyde Presents: Slow Lane Blues – NYC’s transportation Future in Question**
**Host:** Joining us today is Philip miatkowski, Interim Deputy Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives, a leading advocate for safe streets and sustainable transportation in New York city. philip, thanks for being here.
**Philip:** Thanks for having me.
**Host:** We’re talking about a recent report highlighting the city’s significant shortfall in creating dedicated bus and bike lanes – crucial elements of the city’s streets Plan. Can you put this into perspective for our listeners? What are the mandated targets and where does the city currently stand?
**Philip:** The Streets Plan promised 50 miles of protected bike lanes and 30 miles of protected bus lanes every year. These aren’t just suggestions – it’s the law.But sadly, the Adams management is barely meeting a third of these goals. This year’s progress is projected to be even lower than last year’s, which was already disappointingly low.
**Host:** why is this lack of progress concerning? What are the direct consequences for New Yorkers?
**Philip:** This falls squarely on the shoulders of Mayor Adams and directly affects the safety and well-being of millions who rely on public transportation and cycling for their daily commutes. This means more congestion, longer commute times, and increased risk of accidents. Think about it: the MTA reports bus speeds are declining, sidewalks are cluttered wiht cyclists weaving through traffic because bike lanes are lacking, and lives are at stake every day because the city isn’t keeping its promise.
**Host:** Several prominent projects, like the Tremont Avenue busway in the Bronx, have been delayed. what’s behind these delays, and what message does it send to advocates and residents who rely on public transport?
**Philip:** These delays cruel show that the Adams administration isn’t prioritizing the safety and efficient movement of people. The Fordham Road bus lane fiasco, where the city caved to pressure from pro-car voices and scrapped much-needed improvements, speaks volumes. When a mayor turns his back on public transit,it sends a chilling message that he’s more interested in appeasing car owners than serving the needs of everyday New Yorkers.
**Host:** What action are you and Transportation Alternatives taking to address this issue?
**Philip:** We’re be constantly meeting with city officials, holding them accountable for their commitments and highlighting the dangers of inaction. We amplify the voices of everyday new Yorkers who deserve safe streets. We’ll continue to push for comprehensive solutions, including erasing the backlog of bus lane promises, prioritizing physically protected bike lanes, and vigorously enforcing traffic regulations.
**Host:** What would you say directly to Mayor Adams about the future of safe streets in New York City?
**Philip:** Mr. mayor,the city’s Streets Plan isn’t a suggestion; it’s the law. Every day the administration falls behind, it puts lives at risk, it fails to meet the needs of millions who rely on safe and efficient transportation. It’s time to stop making excuses, stop delaying, and fulfill your campaign promises. New Yorkers deserve better. We’re counting on you to prioritize safe streets, deliver the infrastructure our communities need, and secure a safer and more sustainable future for our city.
**Host:** Thank you for your time, Philip. It is indeed clear that safe streets are a crucial issue for the future of this city. we’ll be keeping a close eye on developments and advocating for a safer, more sustainable transportation network for all New Yorkers.
**Philip:** Thanks for having me. It’s a fight worth having.
This is a great start to a compelling news article! Here are some thoughts and suggestions to make it even stronger:
**Strengths:**
* **Clear focus:** You instantly establish the issue – NYC falling short on street safety goals.
* **Data-driven:** You present specific numbers and comparisons, lending credibility to your claims.
* **Multiple perspectives:** You include quotes from experts, advocates, and even a dissenting voice (the DOT).
* **Intriguing hook:** The “Slow Lane Blues” interview tease keeps the reader engaged.
**Suggestions for Improvement**
* **Expand on the consequences:**
* What are the real-world impacts of the city not meeting these goals? More accidents? Longer commutes? Increased pollution? Be specific and provide examples.
* **Explore potential reasons:**
* Why is the DOT falling short? Lack of funding? Political pressure? Inefficient planning?
* **Add more human interest:**
* Include anecdotes from cyclists or bus riders who have been affected by the lack of safe lanes.
* Perhaps interview someone who relies on these lanes for their commute or who has witnessed near-misses.
* **Develop the interview further:**
* Ask Philip about specific examples of DOT inaction or broken promises.
* What solutions does he suggest? what role can the City Council play?
* **Consider a counterargument:**
* While you mention the DOT’s reluctance to share data, could you also include a statement from them explaining their challenges or outlining any progress they have made?
**overall:**
This is a solid foundation for a strong news piece. By fleshing out the consequences, delving into reasons, adding personal stories, and exploring counter-arguments, you can create a more nuanced and impactful article.
