Ben Fried started as a Streetsblog reporter in 2008 and led the site as editor-in-chief from 2010 to 2018. He lives in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, with his wife.
Ben Fried
Recent Posts
Lunch Break Fun: Gerson Leads Protest of “Dangerous” Grand St. Bike Lane
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Non-motorized New Yorkers negotiate the hair-raising Grand Street sidewalk and bike lane. Photo: Ben Fried. Anyone heading over to Chinatown for lunch? If not, and you work in Manhattan, you might want to change your plans. This rally, promoted by Council Member Alan Gerson, promises to be a can’t-miss event: Rally to Protest Dangerous Conditions […]
Eyes on the Street: Try a Bixi Bike on for Size at Union Square
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A reader sends this photo taken on the west side of Union Square this morning. You’re looking at a temporary installation of a Bixi bike-share station. Bixi is one of three bike-share providers that have set up short demos this month at DOT’s invitation — the other brands are Eco-Trip and BCycle. You can’t get […]
Find Out Where They Stand: 73 Candidates Reply to TA Transpo Survey
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If you’re wondering where the Post picked up the news that Mayor Bloomberg is on the record supporting bike-share for New York, head over to the Transportation Alternatives Candidate Survey. You’ll find much more about where the people running for Mayor, Manhattan DA, City Council, Comptroller, Public Advocate, and the borough presidencies stand on transportation […]
District 39 Candidates: Where Do They Stand on Livable Streets?
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L-r: Brad Lander, Dave Pechefsky, Gary Reilly, Josh Skaller, and Bob Zuckerman. A crowd of about 75 Brooklynites turned out for the Transportation Alternatives City Council candidate debate last night, despite the muggy mid-August heat and un-air-conditioned PS 321 auditorium. They were treated to a substantive discussion of transportation policy that went deeper than "bike […]
Poll Watch: “The More Bikes the Better”
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Image: Daily News. Here are the results of a wholly un-scientific web poll conducted by the Daily News as part of their recent "special investigation" into the state of cycling in New York City. I don’t have much to add, except that the top bar would look even better if it were a little longer, […]
District 1 Council Candidates: Safer Streets? Less Traffic? No Thanks.
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Reader Ian Dutton sends this dispatch from last night’s candidate debate for the District 1 City Council seat representing Lower Manhattan, organized by the Downtown Express and the Villager. If you’re a District 1 resident who values safer streets and a well-funded transit system, tough luck. Last night at the Council District 1 candidates debate, […]
Road Rage Victim’s Reputation Smeared Until Proven Innocent
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Ray Bengen, pictured on the sidewalk below his assailant, is paying a steep price for defending himself while riding in the Ninth Avenue bike lane. Following Brad’s post last week about one pedestrian’s encounter with an enraged driver and the NYPD, I caught up with Ray Bengen, another New Yorker charged with criminal mischief after […]
Tuesday: City Council Candidates for District 39 Debate Livable Streets
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In Democrat-dominated New York City, much of the electoral action happens on primary day. This year’s primaries are fast approaching: Voters go to the polls on September 15, four weeks from tomorrow. Contests for City Council seats, the Manhattan District Attorney’s job, borough presidencies, Public Advocate, and City Comptroller will by and large be decided […]
First Look: New CityRack Has Arrived
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Hat tip to @zacfrank for this shot of the new CityRack, the first of its kind to be mass-produced and installed on a New York City sidewalk. After the "hoop" won the CityRack design competition last fall, DOT announced that it will install 5,000 of them in the next three years. Where is this one […]
DA Candidate Aborn Unveils Transportation Safety Plank
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The collision that claimed the life of eight-year-old Axel Pablo yesterday afternoon was another sobering reminder of New York City law enforcement’s institutional failure to deter deadly driving. Police let the cab driver who killed Pablo, Akim Saiful Alam, leave their custody after deciding that he had not committed a criminal act. Even adherence to […]
It’s Official: Bicycle Access Bill Signed Into Law
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This was the scene at City Hall yesterday afternoon as Mayor Bloomberg put his signature on the Bicycle Access Bill. The mayor also signed Intro 780, which will increase the amount of bike parking in commercial garages and lots. Bill sponsors David Yassky (dark tie) and Oliver Koppell (red and navy stripes) were on hand, […]
Cory Booker Joins Fledging Bike Collective for a Ride Around Newark
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Newark Mayor Cory Booker pedaled with the Brick City Bike Collective on its inaugural ride. Photo: Moiz Kapadia. Via Mobilizing the Region, here’s some more mayoral bike news, this time from across the Hudson. Newark’s Brick City Bike Collective launched earlier this summer, bringing a new voice for safe streets to a city that sorely […]