Stephen Miller
In spring 2017, Stephen wrote for Streetsblog USA, covering the livable streets movement and transportation policy developments around the nation.
From August 2012 to October 2015, he was a reporter for Streetsblog NYC, covering livable streets and transportation issues in the city and the region. After joining Streetsblog, he covered the tail end of the Bloomberg administration and the launch of Citi Bike. Since then, he covered mayoral elections, the de Blasio administration's ongoing Vision Zero campaign, and New York City's ever-evolving street safety and livable streets movements.
Recent Posts
Warm Weather Bike Count Flat in 2012, While Winter Counts Grow
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Earlier this week, DOT released its 2012 bike counts [PDF], including a new dataset — counts from the winter months. The agency has been tallying cyclists in December, January, and February for five years, and this year released the winter counts, in addition to April-through-October counts, for the first time. The data show that warm […]
Planning Commission Approves Manhattan Core Parking Regulation Changes
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Yesterday, the City Planning Commission approved modifications to off-street parking regulations in the Manhattan Core, below East 96th Street and West 110th Street. Significant changes to the city’s only parking maximums, which have helped cut down on traffic in the city’s congested core since 1982, are on track for final approval from the City Council. Although the final proposal […]
Council Passes Resolution Asking Albany for Speed Cams; Will Senate Say Yes?
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This afternoon, the City Council passed a resolution asking Albany to move forward with legislation allowing New York City to install a speed camera demonstration program. Speed cameras are supported by the City Council, Mayor Bloomberg, NYC DOT, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, and a majority of the city’s Assembly delegation. The program is opposed by […]
Vincent Gentile: Speed Cams Must Be Part of the Enforcement Toolkit
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This afternoon, the City Council is expected to vote on a resolution asking Albany to allow a speed camera demonstration program in New York City. With Council Speaker Christine Quinn backing the measure, there’s little doubt speed cams will pick up the council’s endorsement. In Albany, the Assembly has included the speed cam program in […]
Senate Committee Votes to Close Loophole in Careless Driving Law
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Just hours after the City Council transportation committee unanimously passed a resolution asking Albany to take action, the Senate transportation committee advanced a bill, with an 18-1 vote, that would close a loophole in Hayley and Diego’s Law, with the goal of increased enforcement of the state’s careless driving law by police and district attorneys. The law is named after […]
Vacca Defends Speed Cams While Ulrich Defends Speeding
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This afternoon, the City Council’s transportation committee held a hearing on resolutions asking Albany to move forward on two street safety initiatives: legislation allowing New York City to start a speed camera demonstration program, and a bill to close a loophole in the state’s careless driving law. Votes on the resolutions are expected at the full […]
Participatory Budgeting Offers Chance to Vote for Livable Streets Projects
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Eight city council members have put a portion of their discretionary capital funds up for a vote as part of an exercise in participatory budgeting, which allows residents to decide how the money will be spent in their own neighborhoods. Votes in each district are approaching soon, and there’s an opportunity to support livable streets […]
Sheridan Alternatives Offer Hope for Surface Road in Place of Expressway
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While the city’s refusal to remove the Sheridan Expressway left South Bronx advocates frustrated, the fight to transform the under-used highway continues, with the city’s federally-funded planning study on track for completion in June. A presentation to community partners last week [PDF] shed new light on options the city is considering, offering some hope that the highway’s […]
“No Criminality Suspected” Stencils Spotlight Lack of Traffic Justice
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Last night, a group of activists traveled to the sites of eight traffic fatalities and stenciled paint memorials for those who lost their lives walking or biking in crashes for which NYPD declared “no criminality suspected” within hours of the crash. This morning, Time’s Up! led a memorial bike ride to the eight crash sites. […]
Eyes on the Street: NYPD (?!) Tells Greenpoint Drivers, “No Dooring”
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Here’s a welcome sign on the front door to Greenpoint Finest Deli, at the corner of Manhattan and Norman Avenues. The notice, ostensibly from NYPD, reminds drivers and passengers of their obligation to look before opening the door of parked cars. “Summonses will be issued,” the sign warns. The sign, spotted by Hilda Cohen, would be […]
Van Bramer to DOT: Prioritize Ped Safety Over QBB-Bound Traffic
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This morning, with constant horn honking and engine noise in the background, Council Member Jimmy Van Bramer called on DOT to study and implement traffic calming improvements along Thomson Avenue in the wake of the death of 16 year-old Tenzin Drudak, who was standing on the sidewalk when a driver jumped the curb and plowed into […]
As Vote Nears on Manhattan Parking Reforms, Will Stringer Weigh In?
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The Manhattan core parking regulations, most notable for setting limits on parking construction below 96th Street since 1982, have been an effective tool for reducing traffic in New York’s congested center. But the rules have also been plagued by loopholes and strange inconsistencies, like the persistence of minimum parking requirements for affordable housing. Recently, the […]