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
Advocates and Unions to Cuomo: Put a Stop to Transit Raids
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A broad coalition of good government groups, transit and environmental advocates, and unions sent a letter to Andrew Cuomo on Friday [PDF] urging the incoming governor to protect straphangers by ensuring that transit revenues are spent on transit. In the last year, Albany raids have shortchanged the MTA of more than $160 million, deepening a […]
Randy Cohen on the Ethics of Driving in Transit-Rich NYC
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On Friday we asked why the Times editorial staff chose to call for ticketing cyclists after forgoing a few good opportunities to weigh in on the need for stepped-up enforcement of dangerous driving. Lest you think the Times just won’t publish opinions that note the hazards of driving or criticize car culture, have a listen […]
Video: Car-Free Play Streets in the UK
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A little weekend viewing from the west coast of England. Since the summer of 2009, neighbors in Bristol have organized “Playing Out” events on seven streets, setting aside car-free hours for kids to play in the street without constant parental supervision. Watching this video immediately brought to mind Clarence’s Streetfilm of the 78th Street play […]
The Times Finally Opines on Street Safety: ‘Calm Traffic’ By Ticketing Cyclists
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Today’s Times editorial on cycling enforcement (the kicker: a few more tickets for bicyclists “would certainly calm traffic in New York City”) is generating a stir. What I want to know is this: Why did the Times editorial writers choose to pipe up about this particular aspect of street safety? Correct me if I’m wrong, […]
NYC Will Try Out Taxis to Provide Access-A-Ride Service
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In a bid to cut costs and improve transit service for New Yorkers with disabilities, the MTA and the Taxi and Limousine Commission will pilot a program to have yellow cabs provide Access-A-Ride service. The program could benefit everyone who rides subways and buses too — if it proves effective at curbing the cost of […]
NYC MDs: Tackling Obesity Takes Systemic Change and Safer Streets
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So it looks like the lasting media image from last week’s City Council hearing on bike policy will be Marty Markowitz’s string of non-sequiturs sung to the tune of “My Favorite Things.” The routine was allowed to proceed even though committee chair Jimmy Vacca began the hearings with a call for decorum at all times. […]
Raise Funds for Streetsblog and Lower Your Tax Bill — Give Today
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Okay folks, the finish line is in sight. The end of the year approaches, and with it, your last chance to make a tax-deductible contribution to Streetsblog NYC. Streetsblog is a non-profit news source, and we’re relying on a strong base of reader support to help us deliver the latest information and insight about the […]
More Testimony From the City Council Bike Hearing
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The definitive account of yesterday’s Transportation Committee hearing on NYC bike policy has got to be the stream of tweets from BicyclesOnly, which are still pretty close to the top of his feed if you want to take a look. He reported that former deputy mayor and PPW bike lane opponent Norman Steisel was the […]
Quick Hits From Today’s City Council Hearing on Bike Policy
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The line to testify at today’s Transportation Committee hearing on New York City bike policy was snaking outside into the biting cold well before the 10:00 a.m. start time. More than 70 people signed up to speak, filling up two hearing rooms at 250 Broadway. The first few hours of the hearing, however, belonged to […]
Assembly Member Kellner Calls on Vance, Kelly to Enforce Street Safety Laws
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On Tuesday, 21-year-old Jason King was killed by a truck driver while walking across Madison Avenue in the crosswalk. According to police, the driver overshot his destination, decided to back up, and ran over King in reverse, dragging him 30 feet before coming to a stop. NYPD decided not to charge the driver with anything […]
Cartoon Tuesday: How Does a Drag Strip in Front of My Home Improve Safety?
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This XtraNormal animation from the folks at StrongTowns expertly picks apart the logic underpinning car-centric street design and planning. I saw it and felt compelled to revive our weekly cartoon feature after an extended hiatus. It clocks in at more than eight minutes, which allows the sense of dread to creep up on you gradually. […]
Confirmed: Former DOT Commish Weinshall Wants PPW Bike Lane Gone
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David Goodman’s City Room piece on the PPW bike lane survey includes the first new information in months about the extent of former DOT Commissioner Iris Weinshall’s involvement in efforts to do away with the current design. Following the October demonstrations where bike lane proponents vastly outnumbered naysayers, Weinshall and other opponents have not let […]