A weekly roundup of good deeds, missteps, heroic feats and epic failures in tri-state transportation news.
Winners
New Jersey — The Garden State was ranked 7th on the League of American Bicyclists’ 2013 Bicycle Friendly State rankings. New Jersey has appeared in the top 10 every year since the League began ranking states’ bicycle friendliness in 2008.
Suffolk County Public Works & Transportation Committee — The Committee voted unanimously to direct $1.1 million toward expanded Sunday bus service, and to apply for an additional $1 million from the Federal Transit Administration’s Job Access and Reverse Commute program. The bill picked up an additional sponsor last week in Legislator Sarah Anker, which will help continue the momentum of support as it comes in front of the full County Legislature next Tuesday.
Fairfield, Connecticut — The town’s first marked bicycle route is coming soon, thanks to the efforts of the Fairfield Bike Walk coalition.
Losers
New York — New York was ranked 43rd out of 50 on the League of American Bicyclists’ 2013 Bicycle Friendly State rankings, among the likes of rural states like Nebraska, West Virginia and Alaska.
Bridgeport/Stamford area — The southwestern Connecticut region has been ranked the 6th worst-congested area in the nation, which has prompted calls for more transit and mixed-use development. Tri-State would add one more: congestion pricing.
Bay Ridge pedestrians — Another pedestrian was struck and killed Tuesday while crossing 4th Avenue, one of Brooklyn’s most dangerous roads for walking. Bay Ridge’s Community Board 10 is expected to take up NYCDOT’s traffic calming proposals for the stretch in the upcoming weeks.
SCAT riders — A bill to mitigate $1 fare hikes on paratransit riders was tabled yesterday in Suffolk County, all but assuring riders will be getting hit by new fares that could cost them an additional $500 a year.
