Statement of Transportation Alternatives in Response to the Death of a 10-Year-Old Bicyclist on Foster Avenue in Brooklyn

Statement of Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Danny Harris:

"A 10-year-old boy was killed by an unlicensed driver in an SUV this morning in Kensington, Brooklyn. Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets sends our deepest condolences to the child’s family. 

With nearly three months remaining in 2019, 24 people have been killed while biking on our streets -- as many as the total killed in all of 2017, the deadliest year for cyclists since the launch of Vision Zero. 

What we have before us is a preventable public health crisis. We call on our elected leaders to do everything in their power to get Vision Zero back on track. Specifically, we urge Mayor de Blasio to accelerate implementation of his Green Wave Bicycle Safety Plan. In addition, we press members of the New York City Council, and especially those in Brooklyn, which has seen the most bicyclist deaths this year, to pass Speaker Corey Johnson’s Streets Master Plan bill, which would systematically address streets across the city, like Foster Avenue where the crash took place, that have no accommodations for people on bikes.

As we push for change from our political leadership, Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets will continue to fight for safe streets for all New Yorkers because all children should be able to play outside without fear of traffic violence.”