Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.
Recent Posts
Marty Golden Needs to Hear From New Yorkers Who Want Speed Cameras
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It appears The speed camera bill will clear has cleared the Assembly, but the effort to protect NYC school kids from reckless drivers is in trouble in the State Senate. At this writing, S04459A is laid aside for discussion. We’re hearing from multiple sources that Senate Republicans say they oppose the bill, but are offering no consensus why. Regardless, […]
Video: A Dutch Perspective on U.S. Cycling Infra
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Last December I traveled to Amsterdam for the first time. I don’t ride a bike, but as a pedestrian, to be surrounded by human-oriented infrastructure (see these Streetfilms) was a little like visiting another planet. And the strangest part was how normal it was. In the Netherlands, bikes are about as controversial as umbrellas, and […]
East Villagers Hope for Slow Zone Near Site of High-Speed Crash
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Residents of the East Village, where a speeding and allegedly drunk driver hit three pedestrians and a cyclist Wednesday, recently petitioned the city for a “Slow Zone.” The proposed zone — from east of First Avenue to the FDR, and north of E. Second Street to south of E. 14th — is a block east […]
The Time Is Now to Speak Up for Speed Cameras in NYC [Updated]
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If you were waiting for the right moment to hit the phones in support of speed cameras, now would be good. As of this morning, the Assembly bill that would authorize a pilot program for a limited number of speed enforcement cameras near NYC schools was in the Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Upper Manhattan […]
NYPD: Repeat Drunk Driver Hits Three Pedestrians and Cyclist in East Village
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An intoxicated and speeding motorist with a history of drunk driving jumped a curb and slammed into a storefront in the East Village this morning, putting three pedestrians and a cyclist in the hospital, according to NYPD and published reports. Just before 7 a.m., Shaun Martin of Bayside was barreling south on Second Avenue in […]
Eyes on the Street: No Parking in the Low Post
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Streetsblog reader Susan Donovan, a.k.a. Futurebird, posted this pic on Instagram yesterday. It’s a DIY basketball court on Walton Avenue near Joyce Kilmer Park, a few blocks from Yankee Stadium. Writes Donovan: Creative traffic calming in the Bronx! My neighbors have painted a basketball shooting zone on the street near the bike lane and hydrant […]
Q&A: How Does StreetsPAC Judge Candidates’ Commitment to Safer Streets?
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NYC’s first livable streets political action committee, StreetsPAC, released its first round of endorsements today. The committee threw its support to five City Council candidates, including two who are looking to unseat incumbents. In the race to succeed Peter Vallone Jr. of Queens, StreetsPAC endorsed Costa Constantinides in District 22. Constantinides is a Democratic District […]
Eyes on the Street: Hole in the Hudson River Greenway in Washington Heights
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A tipster sent us photos of what looks like a sinkhole in the Hudson River Greenway just north of 181st Street, in Washington Heights. These shots were taken Sunday morning. We asked the Parks Department when the hole might be repaired, and whether repair work would necessitate a detour. “We are aware of the situation […]
Casey Neistat: Getting Around NYC Is a Huge Pain, But Not on Citi Bike
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Don’t let the title of the video fool you. As filmmaker Casey Neistat says, getting around NYC can be a hassle. But when he conducted his own commuter challenge — factoring in speed, cost, comfort, and ease of use — Neistat found Citi Bike preferable not only to a cab ride, but to his personal […]
Dorothy Rabinowitz vs. Veronica Moss: Which One Is Satire?
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Again we have to hand it to the Wall Street Journal: They know link bait when they see it. Having apparently decided that pageview count is more important than credibility, the Journal editorial staff is back for more. Watch as editorial board member and cyclist-hater Dorothy Rabinowitz, buoyed by a star turn on the “The Daily […]
At Long Last, DOT Proposes Bike Lanes for Upper Manhattan
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Responding to years of citizen advocacy and a resolution from Manhattan Community Board 12, DOT has proposed bike lanes for a number of streets in Upper Manhattan. Most of the lanes, concentrated in Washington Heights [PDF], would be installed next year, after a consultation with CB 12 this fall. One would be protected by parked […]
Pile-Up in Jackson Heights Precinct That Barely Enforces Speeding
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Clarence came across the scene of a three-vehicle crash in Jackson Heights earlier this afternoon, at 35th Avenue and 81st Street, a.k.a. the “Scrabble” corner. According to FDNY, seven people suffered minor injuries, and one was taken to the hospital. Fortunately it appears no one outside a vehicle was hurt, though this crash could easily […]