FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, November 18th, 2021.
SENATOR BIAGGI AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER GONZÁLEZ-ROJAS JOIN ADVOCATES AND CYCLISTS TO CALL FOR GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO SIGN MTA BIKE ACCESS LEGISLATION INTO LAW.
NEW YORK, NY – Today, State Senator Alessandra Biaggi and Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas joined bike and sustainable transportation advocates to urge Governor Kathy Hochul to sign legislation designed to promote cycling and pedestrian access on MTA bridges and transit stations in New York City. S4943B/A6235 requires the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) to develop a strategic plan to promote cycling and pedestrian access on all MTA bridges and commuter rail stations. Additionally, the legislation requires the MTA to consider and prioritize bicycle and pedestrian access when planning capital projects.
The bills were approved unanimously by the State Senate and Assembly in June of 2021. The measure does not impose budgetary or project mandates on the MTA, but does signal that bike and walking access to MTA bridges and better linkage between bike facilities and transit are important policy areas the agency must begin to address. Governor Hochul has signed dozens of bills, including a slate of climate-related measures, since taking office in August.
The officials and organizations gathered at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, where the City of New York recently converted a lane for cars into a separated bikeway. They cited the project as an example of sustainable and equitable transportation policy that today is not under consideration at the MTA.
“As the Senate sponsor of this bill, I strongly urge Governor Hochul to sign this necessary legislation and ensure that the MTA is meeting the demands of hundreds of thousands of working and commuting New Yorkers. With nearly 800,000 New Yorkers cycling regularly, we have a responsibility to ensure that our infrastructure is safe, welcoming, and accessible to cyclists and pedestrians. Implementing this bill will allow us to bring our public transportation system into the 21st century while advancing our climate goals. Governor Hochul must heed the calls from legislators and New Yorkers alike and sign this bill to improve the transportation options and lives of all New Yorkers,” said State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
“For New York to build back better itself we have to center access and equity in infrastructure. Increasing bike and pedestrian access to MTA bridges are essential to that goal. This is important for deliveristas trying to do their work and for cyclists who want to sustain their health during a global pandemic. It's an immigrant justice issue and an environmental justice imperative. No borough or community should be left behind and we know we can get this across the finish line if we have the political will. We urge Governor Hochul to sign A6235/S4943 into law,” said Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas.
“It’s hard to call yourself a Transit Authority without having the voices of cyclists and pedestrians on your ridership councils. Last session, my colleagues Senator Biaggi and AM Gonzalez-Rojas worked incredibly hard to build legislation that ensured the MTA reflected the future of transit in our state. The pandemic fundamentally changed many New Yorkers' relationships with how they move around our city and state, and it presents an opportunity to refocus and build transit infrastructure that both addresses historic transit deserts and critical environmental action. With the promise of new federal funds for the MTA, now is the perfect time for Governor Hochul to sign S4943,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.
“I, and my colleagues in government, strongly urge Governor Hochul to sign this important piece of legislation that will forever change and improve the way people travel through New York City. By expanding bicycle and pedestrian access at MTA bridges and passenger stations we will provide residents with more transportation options with the hopes of getting more travelers out of their cars, which will not only ease congestion on our busy congested roads, but also be a boon for the environment in and around New York,” said State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo, Jr..
“As a cyclist myself, I’m proud to be a co-sponsor of Senator Biaggi’s bill that would require the MTA to develop a strategic plan to support cycling as a sustainable form of transportation to connect with public transit hubs. I urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill, which will have a positive environmental impact on my constituents by improving New Yorkers’ ability to connect their bike commutes with public transit,” said State Senator Robert Jackson.
“I am proud to be a sponsor of A6235, a bill that would make our New York bridges more accessible to all New Yorkers, especially our cyclists and pedestrians. As we continue to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic we need to ensure that there are safe ways for the public to move around this great state. Making our bridges accessible is a key way to ensure their safety. The demand for cycling is high so we need to make sure our infrastructure supports it,” said Assemblymember Harvey Epstein.
“More and more New Yorkers taking up cycling is good for the climate, good for congestion, and good for New York. It’s important that we as policymakers respond to and further encourage this trend by making sure our bridges and transit hubs are accessible to pedestrians and cyclists – and not just cars. I urge the Governor to sign this important piece of legislation and thank Assemblymember González-Rojas and Senator Biaggi for their leadership on this issue,” said Assemblymember Dan Quart.
“The hugely successful Brooklyn Bridge bikeway is a great example of ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way.’ The MTA Bike Access Bill would instill the missing will at the MTA, and allow MTA to catch up to every other bridge operator in the metropolitan region in terms of bike access. Meanwhile, the MTA dithering for a year in order to establish six bike parking spots at Grand Central Terminal is grossly inadequate. Bike-transit connections have huge sustainability potential but it’s something we’re nowhere on in New York. Governor Hochul should sign the bill and get the MTA rolling on these policies.” said Jon Orcutt, advocacy director at Bike New York.
“As the doubling in cycling on the Brooklyn Bridge shows so clearly, improving bike infrastructure is key to unlocking demand. The MTA has had decades to put together a plan for better bike access, but has failed to act. S4943/A6825 will require them to finally take a 21st century approach to biking on their bridges and at stations, and we urge Governor Hochul to sign the bill without any further delay.” said Eric McClure, StreetsPAC Executive Director.
"For Deliveristas, the bridges are essential tools for work. Thousands of them have used the bridge every day to travel to and from work and make deliveries. Los Deliveristas Unidos urged Governor Hochul to sign the MTA Bike Access bill into law," said Hildalyn Colón Hernández of Los Deliveristas Unidos.
“Combining cycling and transit can get you nearly everywhere in the NYC region. The Strategic Action Plan required by this bill can help the MTA invest in inexpensive measures that will boost ridership and cut carbon emissions,” said Daniel Convissor, director of Bike Tarrytown.
“We should follow the example of Europe, where places like Utrecht recently opened 12,500 bike parking spaces at the main train station. Instead we get 6 spaces and have to celebrate it. The MTA manages *public space* and that space should be used for the best and highest use. The majority of New Yorkers don’t own cars and our streets and bridges and train stations should reflect that,” said Sara Lind, Director of Policy at Open Plans.
"Creating more and better inter-borough pedestrian and bike connections via MTA Bridges is vital to New York’s future in terms of climate resilience, public health, economic recovery, and equitable access to all that New York offers," said Terri Carta, Executive Director of Brooklyn Greenway Initiative. “Use of the Brooklyn Waterfront Greenway has more than doubled in 2021 compared to 2019 pre-pandemic levels, clearly demonstrating the sustained public demand for active transportation, recreation and community connection,” said Terri Carta, executive director of the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative.
“The new bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge has shown us what's possible when we put people at the center of city planning - safer, greener, and more accessible transportation. MTA bridges, like the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, need bike access too. We strongly urge Governor Hochul to sign the MTA bike access bill, immediately and without reservation. New Yorkers deserve more just and sustainable transportation futures,” said Katherine Willis, chair of the Bridges for People Campaign.
“New York continues to experience a bike boom and it is time for the MTA to catch up. As we celebrate a new bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge, the MTA refuses to open access for cyclists and pedestrians on the Verrazzano Bridge and other state-operated bridges. Passage of this bill is an important step toward bringing the MTA up to speed and meeting the needs of New Yorkers who bike. For the sake of our climate, our safety, and for commuters across the region, we urge Governor Hochul to sign this bill without delay.” said Juan Restrepo, Senior Organizer at Transportation Alternatives.
"Residents of southern Brooklyn and Staten Island have waited for decades for meaningful bike access across the Verrazzano Bridge. Nearly 3,000 people have signed a recent petition for it, and the MTA Bike Access Bill passed with the support of 211 out of 213 legislators. We urge Governor Hochul to not force New Yorkers to wait any longer than they already have, and to sign the bill into law," said Brian Hedden, co-founder of Bike South Brooklyn.
“Improving bicycle access to all 7 of MTA's bridges will dramatically improve the infrastructure of NY's transportation system, making it more equitable and sustainable for future generations. We have already seen cycling rates double from the newly added bike lane on the Brooklyn bridge in a mere few months since opening,” said Sophia Zhou, Chair of The Harbor Ring Committee.
This bill requires the MTA and relevant Permanent Citizen Advisory Councils to develop a strategic action plan to improve cycling and pedestrian access on MTA bridges, bike parking at MTA subway and commuter rail stations, and bike access on board MTA equipment. Within one year, the MTA must submit a report to the Governor and Legislature and make it available online. The bill also adds additional members to the Long Island Rail Road Commuter's Council (1), the Metro-North Rail Commuter's Council (1) and the New York City Transit Authority Advisory Council (3) with a demonstrated expertise or interest in bicycle and pedestrian access.
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