July 8: How demand for parking leads to demand for cars leads to demand for driving…and vice versa
Our cities have been built around moving cars, not people — and New York is no exception.
From mandatory parking minimums to the 3 million free parking spots, New York City is home to countless policy and infrastructure decisions that create the perfect conditions to encourage car ownership, increase demand for parking, and build car dependency.
It’s a vicious cycle known as “induced demand” — the phenomenon of increased supply causing increased desire.
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There is a better way.
With NYC 25x25, we can repurpose space for cars and give New Yorkers sustainable, efficient, and reliable ways to get around our streets. Every New Yorker can and should live within a quarter-mile of protected bike and bus lanes, car-free open space, and so much more. By providing alternatives, we decrease demand for car ownership, and decrease the space needed for cars on our streets.
THREE THINGS TO KNOW
We rode with Emeryville, CA, Mayor John Bauters. Last week, “America’s Bike Mayor” John Bauters joined us on a tour of bike infrastructure highlights in the city — from the Brooklyn Bridge bike lane to the new bike lane barriers in Union Square. Check out our video from the ride, organized by our Manhattan Organizer Anna Melendez.
The high cost of heavy cars. It’s no secret: The cars on the street are getting larger and heavier, and this has deadly consequences. One solution from our Seven Steps agenda for Mayor Adams? Taxing cars by weight — just like most counties in the state — to reflect the true cost of heavy cars and disincentivize these monster trucks from NYC streets.
In the news. Here’s what we’re reading this week:
Crashes killed three people in the Bronx in one week. Read Gothamist’s coverage of the traffic violence crisis in the Bronx and our full statement on these recent tragedies.
New York League of Conservation Voters president Julie Tighe penned a City Limits op-ed calling on the city to lift the cap on e-bikes, fund electric charging docks, and subsidize e-bikes as a way to meet our climate goals.
Alternate side parking is back, but the debate over one vs. two days misses the point. Instead, as our Communications Director Cory Epstein told the Guardian, we should be talking about how New York City can reimagine curb space to be more than free storage for private vehicles.
TWO THINGS TO DO
Participate in the 7th annual Bronx Ghost Bikes Memorial Ride. After a deadly week in the Bronx, join safe streets advocates in the Bronx on Sunday, July 24, for a ride and reflection at ghost bike sites from previous year. Learn more about ghost bikes and the ride.
Register for the 11th annual Tour de Staten Island. Our ride through Staten Island’s hidden gems will return on September 18. Reconnect with everything that makes the Tour de Staten Island a ride to remember.
ONE ACTION TO TAKE NOW
Support a comprehensive redesign on McGuinness Boulevard that takes away space from cars. A year after the city committed millions of dollars to a redesign of McGuinness, DOT presented three proposals for an overhaul of the dangerous corridor. Sign our petition today and tell our leaders: We need to slow down traffic and expand space for pedestrians and bike riders. For more coverage, check out a recap of the recent community board meeting in Brooklyn Paper.
Thanks for reading! Have a great weekend,
Jacob and the TA team
