Dear Community,
On Thursday, I sent a letter alongside Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas to the Chair and Chief Operations Officer of the MTA urging the agency to consider several immediate interim steps to achieve expanded access for bicycles and pedestrians. As the sponsor of the MTA Bike Access legislation (S4943B/A62325B), I am grateful for the initial steps the MTA has taken to develop a strategic plan for improving bicycle and pedestrian access– but in working towards allowing bicycle access on all MTA Bridges we can also increase accessibility now in both an efficient and cost-effective manner.
In the letter, we urge the MTA to allow bicycle access on pedestrian paths that can accommodate shared use, including on the Cross-Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge and Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (RFK Bridge). Cyclists already ride across these bridges despite the MTA’s prohibition– so I urge the agency to end its ban on cycling, and instead take steps to improve safety for all, including updated signage.
Our letter also asked the MTA to consider converting traffic lanes into bicycle paths, where possible. The New York City Department of Transportation has employed this strategy with great success on the Pulaski Bridge, and Brooklyn Bridge, which has a higher traffic volume relative to the number of vehicle lanes than several of the other MTA’s bridges. Such traffic lane conversions would allow the MTA to develop new high ridership cycling pathways with minimal traffic impact at a low cost. We suggest the Henry Hudson Bridge is especially well suited for this approach, but also hope the MTA will consider traffic lane conversion on all bridges.
By expanding bike access on bridges, we are promoting a clean method of transportation that does not leave a detrimental environmental footprint and allows us to advance towards our climate goals. District 34 is connected to two MTA bridges –– the Henry Hudson, and Throgs Neck Bridge –– so our community will benefit directly from bicycle and improved pedestrian access. The Bronx has long lacked proper infrastructure and transportation options, and this implementation will help ensure that our community is able to improve its public transportation. I look forward to the implementation of these interim steps to improve accessibility and sustainability in our community. Read the full letter here.
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
No comments:
Post a Comment