Photo: Ben Fried
As first documented by @noahbudnick, the section of the Prospect Park loop south of the lake has had new markings (and a smooth, fresh surface) for a few weeks. On this section you can experience the more spacious 24/7 accommodations for walkers, joggers, and cyclists that will soon expand to the rest of the loop. I was over there about two weeks ago and it was kind of remarkable to see everyone using the lane designated specifically for them.
According to electronic message boards stationed in the park, the rest of the loop will get new markings starting on May 11 (word is new pavement is not in the works). Now about that rush-hour car lane…
Photo: waywardcourier/Flickr
Metro areas in the Northeast were found to have the highest "test-score gaps," a measure of educational inequality. Brookings found this was linked to economic segregation reinforced by large lot zoning in suburban jurisdictions. Image: Brookings
What do laws that mandate large yards and prevent walkable development have to do with educational opportunity? Turns out, there’s an important connection.
The Brookings Institution recently examined educational inequality across the U.S. by race and income. One of the key findings was that large-lot zoning requirements effectively restrict access to quality education for low-income children, hindering their long-term economic prospects.
Restrictive zoning laws are widespread. Brookings reports that 84 percent of municipalities impose some minimum lot size, the average being 0.4 acres. The authors note that this is larger than the average lot size of a single-family home in America — 0.26 acres. In other words, in most places it’s illegal just to build a home of typical size.
The authors report that these laws “effectively block low-income students and their families from living near or attending” public schools where students perform well on state exams. In areas with large lot laws, it is significantly more expensive to live near good public schools than it is in areas without restrictive zoning, according to the study.
This in turn has a significant effect on educational attainment and economic opportunity. Low-income students who attend top schools score two percent higher than state averages, according to Brookings. Low-income students attending low-performing schools score 18.5 percent below average.
The authors believe their research points to the inadequacy of education reforms like school vouchers or merit pay for teachers:
All of these reform strategies have one thing in common: They try to improve disadvantaged students’ access to high-performing schools through education policy. These reform ideas certainly have merit and should be carefully evaluated and considered, but they do not address one very important mechanism that sorts poor students into the lowest-scoring schools: housing policy. Housing and education policies should work together to promote access to improved school environments for low-income and minority children.
The most ambitious and consequential policy reform along these lines would be to eliminate exclusionary zoning altogether. In an ideal world, the federal government or states would forbid local governments from discriminating based on housing type (e.g. single-family attached or multi-family) or size (lot, floor, or frontage size). They could even agree to compensate jurisdictions for any disproportionate increases in local expenditures that resulted from higher density or lower-income development. Eliminating exclusionary zoning laws could produce large educational and economic benefits for low-income and minority children and families, and the U.S. economy as a whole. Unfortunately, the likelihood of such a reform, however market-oriented it may be, seems low at this time.
Barring such sweeping policy reforms, the authors point to regional or local housing and land use policies that could have an impact on improving educational equality, such as inclusionary zoning (compelling developments to include a certain percentage of low-income units) and focusing dense development near existing job centers and transit lines.
The tri-state area’s transportation and infrastructure leaders are gathered at the Waldorf Astoria today for the Regional Plan Association’s annual gala. For a few years now, the proceedings at the Regional Assembly have been haunted by the death of congestion pricing and bridge tolls in Albany, and lately the complete gridlock in Washington over a national transportation bill has weighed heavily as well. With large-scale transportation projects like the ARC tunnel falling by the wayside and funding streams for infrastructure getting weaker every year, there’s not much new stuff in the pipeline, at the regional scale, to get excited about (unless you get excited about boondoggles).
On the local scale, things are looking brighter. As NYC transportation commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan said at a morning plenary, “the innovation is happening in cities.” New York’s expansion of the number 7 line using value capture financing and L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa’s ambitious 30/10 transit plan were repeatedly cited as examples of how cities might move forward using new funding models.
Mayor Bloomberg headlined the morning schedule and briskly ran down his transportation and planning agenda, citing past achievements and future goals. A few notable quotes from his talk:
- “Bike lanes and pedestrian plazas have made our streets safer and livelier for everyone. Buildings in Times Square and Herald Square have more rent coming from the first floor than the entire rest of the building, because there’s so much foot traffic.”
- NYC quality of life “will get even better this summer when we launch a bike-share program that will be the largest in the Western Hemisphere.”
- Bloomberg noted that the city has accomplished most of the goals laid out in its long-term sustainability plan, PlaNYC 2030, in 2007. “The only things that haven’t happened yet are those that needed Albany” to move forward, he said, a not-so-oblique reference to congestion pricing. “There’s a lot left to do to put our regional transit system on a sound financial footing.”
Despite all evidence to the contrary, the mayor maintained that Governor Andrew Cuomo “understands the needs” that Albany must address. Bloomberg also singled out Cuomo’s major transportation appointments — Joe Lhota at the MTA and Pat Foye at the Port Authority — as great choices.
Lhota, who sat on the morning panel that included Sadik-Khan and two former Port Authority chiefs, revealed a few interesting tidbits about the future he sees for the MTA.
- Adjusting public comments he’d made earlier, to the effect that the MTA can’t afford new mega-projects in the next five-year capital plan, he said: “As far as big projects, I could see an extension of the 7 train down to 23rd Street and the West Side Highway, maybe not in the next capital plan,” but in the one after that. More urgent, he said, is to “start thinking about expanding the subway for the 21st Century. We need to improve throughput [i.e. run more trains on existing track].”
- As the panel was discussing the unfortunate consequences of having the NYC region’s transportation network carved up between a complex array of different governments and public agencies, Lhota said the new Metro-North service to Secaucus for Jets and Giants games could be something to build on. Coordination between agencies could allow more trains to run through Manhattan instead of stopping there, which would add capacity to the regional rail system. Lhota has “had discussions with NJ Transit and Amtrak about future uses of Penn Station,” and said the details of agreements on everything from funding to labor would be devilishly complex.
- Lhota has had preliminary discussions with Deputy Mayor Robert Steel about using “forms of value capture” — special taxes on development, for example — to fund transit expansions.
There’s an interesting set of panels at the Regional Assembly scheduled for the afternoon. We’ll have more updates later today.
- Feds Won’t Rule Out Transit-Free Tappan Zee Loan; Schumer, Gillibrand: Fingers Crossed (LoHud)
- Ward: To Keep New York Working, Top Priority of Next Mayor “Has to Be the MTA” (Capital)
- Gridlock Sam and Brian Lehrer Wonder If Cuomo Understands Toll Proposal (Transpo Nation)
- Ratner Again Delays Review of Atlantic Yards Transportation Plan (AYR)
- Family and Friends Mourn Mike Rogalle, Killed By Driver Held Blameless By NYPD (DNA)
- Group Behind 14th Street Ped Plaza Seeking Proposals for Open-Air Food Market (DNA)
- MTA Counting on Vendor to Maintain Massive East Side Access Escalator System (WSJ)
- Markowitz Chief of Staff Scissura Chooses Chamber of Commerce Over Race for Beep (Bklyn Paper)
- Staten Island DA Dan Donovan Launches New Probe Into Working Families Party (Crain’s)
- Adios, Amigo: Kickback King Carl Kruger Sentenced to Seven Years (NYT)
- Laugh Track the Only Thing Missing From This Beverly Hills NUMBY Reel (Streetsblog LA)
- New York City Bike Thieves Have Zero Fear (Post)
More headlines at Streetsblog Capitol Hill
Mike Rogalle, the UPS worker struck while on the job in Lower Manhattan last week, has died.
No crime or traffic violation occurred at this fatal crash scene, according to NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney Cy Vance. Photo: WNBC
Rogalle was on the sidewalk near 15 Beekman Street at 4:39 p.m. on Tuesday, April 17, when the driver of a GMC SUV jumped the curb, striking him from behind. Witnesses described a horrific scene, with Rogalle trapped under the vehicle, his internal organs exposed, until he was freed by emergency responders. He was reportedly awake and talking when he was taken to Bellevue Hospital in critical condition. Rogalle died on Sunday. He was 58.
A resident of Teaneck, New Jersey, Rogalle reportedly worked for UPS for 39 years, 26 of them on the same route in the Financial District, where he was well-known and well-liked.
There were two adults and two small children in the SUV at the time of the crash, according to reports. The adult passenger, a man, was identified only as an FDNY inspector. The driver, an unidentified woman, was reportedly removed from the car by FDNY and placed on a backboard with a neck brace. All four people in the car were taken to New York Downtown Hospital, reports said.
Though all details point to a high-speed crash — it would be all but impossible to “lose control” of a vehicle, jump a curb, kill a pedestrian, injure yourself and your passengers while adhering to the city’s 30 mph speed limit — Downtown Express reports that NYPD found “no criminality.”
“How could you go fast here on these streets?” said a local to the Daily News. “There’s stop signs, there’s construction and congestion. Look at the height of that curb! How fast could she have been going?”
This fatal crash occurred in the 1st Precinct. To voice your concerns about neighborhood traffic safety directly to Deputy Inspector Edward J. Winski, the commanding officer, head to the next precinct community council meeting. The 1st Precinct council meetings happen at 6:30 p.m. on the last Thursday of each month at the precinct, 16 Ericsson Place. The officer we spoke with could not immediately confirm if tonight’s meeting would take place as scheduled. Call the precinct at 212-334-0640 for information.
Looks like Bicycle Habitat isn’t the only shop with celebrity status. Check out who stopped by 718 cyclery (254 3rd Ave, Gowanus, Brooklyn)
O.G. himself, Ice-T, shooting an episode of Law and Order, SVU.
Here is owner Joe Nocella’s attempt at capturing the scene:
Joe said Ice-T said his shop was the “Mercedes F*&king Benz of bike shops.” Then started asking him about fixed gears and how to avoid potholes. Joe also mentioned how gracious everyone was in the cast and crew.
Sweet…this Sh*t really laid my foundation for a love of hip-hop, not to mention it was videos like these and MTV raps that made me want to move to NYC even more.
A message from Mellow Yellow, AKA criticalmasspanic.blogspot.com about tonights NYC critical mass.
MayDay is upon us. It will, no doubt, be one to remember. But before the American Spring, before Occupy Wall Street, before the popular uprisings in the oil lands, cyclists in New York City and around the world made the world we wanted to see and celebrated free community in Critical Mass. Since August of 2004, cyclists of NYC have resisted Tonight and the coming days could be, should be, momentous. To be sure the corporate state and its violent thugs will be out in force to control even our most peaceful movements, our bike riding, our dancing in the streets. But what else can we do while the world is spoiled, the old world burns? Still we ride, still we dance. Still we come together with open ears, eyes, mouths and hearts. Together to make the world we want.
7pm Union Square North TONIGHT! THE LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH!
Bring Lights!Now, for the bad news. I am selling my soul out to all-powerful capital, so that I may pay off loans, debt, and make rent on a place to rest my stuff. Its kinda a shitty situation, but I have been ignoring some basic responsibilites for a while, and I gotta make this work deadline. TONIGHT! So I dunno when I will be able to join the 5 day orgy of Critical Mass riding/walking/dancing/talking/chanting that is coming to Manhattan and the rest of the world this weekend. Infinite sadness!
If I don’t make it, please consider then communicate these humble suggestions (if you are feeling like bike ninjas):
1) Make lots of friends and new contacts before the ride.
2) Try walking in a single file loop with your bikes before you roll. Keep it moving!
3) Ride to or regroup at Tompkins Square, Washingtons Square, or Madison Square Parks.
4) Maybe ride by the Williamsburg Bridge if the cops follow you.
5) Definitely ride the Wall Street.
6) Film the police.
7) TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF AND EACH OTHER. RIDE SAFE!I will try to get together a more detailed listing of bike-able happenings in the next five days, but until then check this out, I am sure you will find something to keep you occupied!
http://occupywallst.org/article/nyc-full-schedule-permitted-and-unpermitted-may-da/
BikeLove!
Mellow Yellow
@critmasspanicp.s. if the weather becomes gorgeous next Tuesday, you have my full permission to do a naked bike bloc.
Doug Gordon runs the amazing informative Brooklynspoke.com blog about local bike politics. He recently posted about the situation with the construction on the Prospect Park West bike lane.
Photo via Paul Steely White.
DOT crews installing the new pedestrian islands on Prospect Park West have unearthed the old streetcar lines that used to run along the boulevard. You may remember that tracks were also unearthed at Union and PPW when DOT began constructing pedestrian and cycling improvements to Grand Army Plaza last year.
It’s just another reminder that change is quite literally built into the history of our city’s streets.
Good to know the sight of workman crews and diggers is not the success of a fiendish plot of cranky ex-politicians getting their way to have the lanes removed due to an obsession with car culture.
image from NY Press of New Am Bicycle Show 2011.
Doug will be speaking at the upcoming New Amsterdam Bicycle Show, Sunday, April 29th at Noon.
I’m hosting a “Bike Share Sneak Peak” at the show on Sunday, April 29th at noon:
–> Doug Gordon, the editor of BrooklynSpoke.com, presents a sneak preview of New York City’s new bike share system. Representatives from the New York City Department of Transportation and the people behind Bike Share will talk about their plan to put 10,000 bicycles and 600 stations in Manhattan and Brooklyn this summer.
My guest will be NYC DOT Policy Director Jon Orcutt, one of the driving forces behind the city’s bike share plan. I can’t promise answers to your most pressing questions (Who’s the sponsor? What color are the bikes? Will I get stations in front of my apartment, office building, and favorite restaurant?) but it should be a fun and interesting look at bike share systems around the world, what lessons New York City has learned, and where some of the stations will go when the system launches this summer.
I’m a big bike share geek, so this is a huge honor for me and should be a lot of fun. We’ll leave time for questions from the audience, so bring your curiosity and your enthusiasm for bike share! Plus, stick around after and we’ll grab a beer.
Just 3 days left to get your $15.00 tickets ($20.00 at the door) for this weekends spectacular: New Amsterdam Bicycle Show, at the Skylight Soho (275 Hudson St.-Manhattan)
They are also going to have some sweet bicycle giveaways, in a raffle form and those who bought tickets early.
A huge number of bicycle makers will be in attendance including Tern Bicycles makers of these swank fold-ups.
The D.O.T. has just released it’s new 2012 bike map just in time for May (bike month) I picked up one today for free at Court Cycles (514 Court St.) in Cobble Hill Brooklyn.
Over 350,000 detailed maps are available for the right price (free) at most of your local bike shops in the five borough area. There is also a current pdf made available at the D.O.T. website, and if you have a smart phone you can download it and carry the map with you like a poor man’s app.
For years these maps have been an excellent resource for getting around with clear indications of bike lanes, bike shops, rental outfits, as well as subway stops and other mass transit.
This map is so easy to use even a three year old will enjoy it. Right Max?
The legend is really key here highlighting:
-Historic Districts
-Public Pools
-Skate Parks
-Boat Launches
-Bike Shops, including with designated shading, which rent bikes and where there are rental only facilities.
It looks as if they’ve managed to include all the new bike shops, which is no easy task since new ones keep popping up monthly.
Shops like:
Pedal Universe (2450 7th Ave.) Harlem-Manhatan
Echelon Cycles (51 8th Ave.) West Village-Manhattan
Landmark Bicycles -2nd Store-(376 Bedford Ave.) Williamsburg-Brooklyn
Dog Day Cyclery (115 Van Brunt St.) Red Hook-Brookyln
Silk Road Cycles (76 Franklin St.) Greenpoint-Brooklyn
and
Red Lantern Bicycles (345 Myrtle Ave.) Fort Greene-Brookyn, who recently had a nice write up in the New York Times:
Section: Neighborhood Joint | Fort Greene
For Cyclists Seeking Repairs, and Beer
Photo caption: Red Lantern Bicycles, in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is the only cycling shop in the state with a liquor license. Here, a mechanic who goes by the name Chombo relaxes after a day of fixing bicycles. More Photos from the Times. Photo by:
Michael Appleton for The New York Times.
Article by: Gersh Kuntzman
Published: April 19, 2012
RED LANTERN BICYCLES in Fort Greene, Brooklyn, is a serious cycling shop: The air smells of chain grease; Sunlite tires, Planet Bike fenders and unbuilt Bianchis crowd the repair floor; and there is an antique penny-farthing in the window.
At Red Lantern, customers can enjoy coffee and $3 beers while waiting for their bicycles to be fixed.
But other sights, sounds and smells dominate this Myrtle Avenue storefront: the single-estate Finca la Folie coffee beans roasting on site, writers pounding on their laptops and off-duty messengers tipping back bottles of beer, thanks to that rarest of bike-shop wall hangings: a State Liquor Authority license.
Read more: here.
Yoga Local NYC:
