Our Vision for 2025: Safer, Greener Streets Ahead

New York City is on the brink of a major transformation, with programs like congestion pricing already making a real impact. By reducing traffic, we’re making our streets safer, cleaner, and healthier for all New Yorkers.?

In 2025, TA is fighting for better, safer, greener, and more resilient streets in every corner of the five boroughs. We are working on realizing citywide initiatives, from universal daylighting to regulating the same-day delivery app industry, and advocating for street and infrastructure improvements block by block. Together, we’re going to transform New York. Here are some of the campaigns we are focused on this year:?

Bronx: Building a Connected, Bike-Friendly Borough

Most households in the Bronx are car-free, but there still aren’t enough bike or bus lanes in the borough. TA activists are pushing for The Hunts Point Bike Network, which would improve safety and accessibility for cyclists while linking key neighborhoods. At the same time, we’re organizing to Stop the Cross Bronx Expansion, which would threaten the health and safety of local residents by expanding highways in already overburdened areas.??

Brooklyn: Safer Streets for All

After major successes on Bedford Avenue and McGuinness Boulevard, there’s still a lot of work to do in Brooklyn. TABK activists are advocating for safer pedestrian crossings, improved bike infrastructure, and true east/west connections through the Flatbush Streets for People campaign. In North Brooklyn, our activists are hard at work to Make Morgan Safe and create a real protected bike lane from Flushing Avenue to Meeker Avenue. Morgan Avenue is a major connector from Bushwick and Ridgewood into the rest of the borough, but it remains dangerous.

Manhattan: Making Buses Move?

The onset of congestion pricing has done the impossible — made lower Manhattan bigger overnight. TA is taking advantage of this brand-new “spatial dividend” to fight for bike lanes, bus lanes, increased pedestrian space, and more. TAMAC activists are working on expanding the Third Avenue Bike Lane, an essential project that gives cyclists a safe route north. Through TA’s The Miracle on 42nd Street campaign, we’re pushing for a safer, more pedestrian-friendly approach to transform this iconic street, and critical crosstown connector, into a space that finally puts people first.??

Queens: Expanding Access to Safe, Protected Bike Lanes

In Queens, our activists are focused on expanding protected bike lanes and redesigning streets to better serve all New Yorkers. Activists are hard at work advocating for Protected Bike Lanes to LaGuardia Community College, ensuring students and commuters have a safe route to travel. Meanwhile, the Sunnyside Bike Network is moving forward, connecting much of central Queens with safer biking infrastructure. The Queens Committee is also dedicated to fighting for a redesigned Utopia Parkway, a vital north-south corridor in Eastern Queens.?

Staten Island: Creating a Better Waterfront for All

Staten Island is also making its mark with a campaign to create a better, more accessible waterfront. Activists are working hard to fight for a North Shore Greenway, which would create a bike-and pedestrian-friendly route along the North Shore waterfront. The goal is to make this area a destination that both residents and visitors can enjoy while ensuring safe, accessible transportation options for everyone.

Empowering the Next Generation

And it’s not just the adults — TA’s Youth Committee, alongside our Youth and Schools Organizer, is leading efforts to make bike share programs more accessible to young people across the city. By pushing for $5 Citi Bike memberships for students, we're ensuring that all young New Yorkers can choose Citi Bike. The Youth Committee is growing, and even more advocacy and action are on the way.

?Together, we’re making NYC a safer, greener, and more accessible place for everyone — one borough at a time. Stay tuned and get involved as we continue to push forward on these exciting campaigns! There’s so much more to come.?

Three Things to Know

Just one week in, congestion pricing is already speeding up commutes. The MTA reports that 7.5%, or 43,000, fewer vehicles entered Manhattan last week as compared to the same week last year. This early success is already helping speed up bus commutes, make our streets safer, and improve air quality for all New Yorkers.?

Exciting new legislation for safer streets.? We're excited to see progress toward safer streets in New York City with two important pieces of legislation in the City Council: Intro 1105 and Intro 1114. Intro 1105, introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Selvena N. Brooks-Powers, would require DOT to track and publicly report progress on the Streets Plan’s goals so every New Yorker can see where the City is falling behind on bike lanes, bus lanes, and more. Intro 1114, introduced by Council Member Julie Won, would require the DOT Commissioner to create and maintain an online tracker for capital projects. Updated quarterly, the tracker would provide detailed information on each pending DOT project. These bills are key steps toward ensuring transparency, accountability, and progress as the city works to build safer, more sustainable streets.

In the news. Here's what we're reading this week:

• Manhattan’s Community Boards 4, 5, and 6 have officially voiced their support for our The Miracle on 42nd Street campaign — calling for a dedicated busway and wider sidewalks, reports NY1.?

• ?New York's carbon pricing plan could start in 2025, capping emissions and funding green energy projects. Read more in NY Focus.?
• Hear from our Executive Director Ben Furnas on NY1 about what Mayor Adams left out of his State of the City address.

Two Things to Do

Get ready for the first New York Safe Streets Coalition lobby day of 2025! Sign up to join Families for Safe Streets, Transportation Alternatives, and other advocates on January 28 in Albany as we meet with elected officials to push for the SAFE Streets package. To help you prepare, we will host two virtual lobby day training sessions: one on January 24 at 12 p.m. and another on January 27 at 5:30 p.m. We’ll also provide a bus from Manhattan to make your trip easier. RSVP today to secure your spot and fight for safer streets for all New Yorkers.

Celebrate the historic launch of congestion pricing with us at Decongest Fest. Toast to smoother commutes, cleaner air, and a more resilient future. Enjoy delicious food, local beers, and the company of fellow TA supporters as we celebrate this transformative step toward reclaiming our streets and building a greener, more efficient NYC. Choose your "toll" for entry, and let's come together for this exciting milestone. Register today.

One Action to Take Now

Demand safer streets for Eastern Queens students. We’re excited about the progress on 46th Avenue’s new protected bike lanes, but there’s still work to be done! Springfield Boulevard and 56th Avenue need protected bike lanes to connect Queensboro Community College, Cardozo High School, and P.S. 203 — schools serving thousands of students, including 3,000 at Cardozo alone. Eastern Queens students deserve safer, smarter streets. Help us make it happen — sign our petition and tell DOT: Eastern Queens Students Deserve Smarter Streets!

P.S. Take Action: Send a letter to Governor Hochul to fund equitable transportation. We’re proud to partner with New Yorkers for Transportation Equity to advocate for a more sustainable and equitable future. Together, we’re calling for a statewide goal to reduce vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by 20% by 2050. To make this happen, we want to make sure that all highway expansion projects are carefully reviewed to see if they support these goals. Suppose a project doesn’t help reduce car miles. In that case, it must be changed to meet this goal or include solutions like investing in active transportation infrastructure, public transit, or transit-oriented development. Send a letter today!