Ben Furnas
Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives
Former: @Cornell; @nycmayor.
The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world. Views mine. 🗽
Join us! transalt.org/membership
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThe 5 Boro Pizza Challenge is back and cheesier than ever! On Saturday, May 9, this multi-modal adventure invites you to explore all five boroughs in a single day, eating at five epic pizzerias, using any mode of transportation — except, NO cars! Register now: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasFamilies for Safe Streets member Joe Jankoski went on WNYC last week to talk about Stop Super Speeders. To slow down reckless drivers and save lives, Albany must pass the program into law this spring.
- Reposted by Ben Furnas"First launched in 1974, Ciclovía is a program that shuts down city streets to cars once a week, on Sundays, and opens them to people walking and biking... In a city of 9 million, some 2 million residents of the city participate every week."
- Reposted by Ben FurnasWhen NYC DOT began its mission to transform NYC streets, it issued a lot of strong policy docs & updates on city transportation trends. We need to get back to that Consider 2008's critique of NYC's underdeveloped public realm (with Gehl Architects), or the annual Sustainable Streets Index
- Reposted by Ben FurnasSpeed limiters for reckless drivers is a no brainer for safe streets. Let's hope this happens in NYC and the rest of the state very soon!
- BOOM Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure. empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🙌🏼 Let's go!
- BOOM Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure. empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
- Reposted by Ben FurnasListen to our Executive Director, @bfurnas.bsky.social, on @benmax.bsky.social's podcast this morning! "Right out of the gate, [Mayor Mamdani's] describing a much more expansive and ambitious vision for the streets." podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasFounding StreetsPAC board member @kencoughlin.bsky.social!
- Ken Coughlin joined the campaign for a car-free Central Park in 1991 and led it from 1996 until the last car exited the park in 2018. Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasKen Coughlin joined the campaign for a car-free Central Park in 1991 and led it from 1996 until the last car exited the park in 2018. Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
- Reposted by Ben Furnas"When I was interviewing [DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn], we did not simply ask him about fulfilling that which has already been put forward. We asked him, what will it take to make this city the envy of the world when it comes to our streetscape?" — Mayor Mamdani youtube.com/shorts/69h0m...
- Reposted by Ben Furnas"I'm so sorry that we could not have done this earlier...to have saved the loved ones in your life. But I thank you fopr the work that you have done...to ensure that this pain not be felt by others who call this same city home." — Mayor Mamdani at McGuinness Blvd. presser youtube.com/shorts/uwAYI...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNEW: Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but watered down by Mayor Adams in a corruption scandal. buff.ly/T2rESWz
- Reposted by Ben Furnas“Mr. Adams was required by law…to create 150 miles of bus lanes with barriers or camera enforcement and 250 miles of protected bike lanes over 5 years, a task that now falls to Mr. Mamdani….In the last 4 years, the city installed about 28 miles of bus lanes and 95 miles of protected bike lanes.”
- Reposted by Ben Furnas“After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station – a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city.”
- Mike is an excellent pick - smart, kind, experienced, with a bold vision for safer, more effective streets and the savviness to get it done. The future is bright for every New Yorker - no matter how we get around!
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThe pricing means that taking a Citi Bike will become, for a lot of people, the transportation choice of last resort, such as when there's a subway meltdown or it's 20 minutes before the next bus arrives. That's not at all what the city should want. It should be a seamless part of people's choices.
- Staten Island Ferry and Citi Bike ridership, by year, 2007-present.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThe Road to Affordability is a blueprint of more than 80 ideas the next administration can implement to make our city safer and more affordable, using the power the mayor already has over our streets.
- Great stuff!!
- On Jan 1, @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social will be #NYCMayor. Our #TenPointPlan is a roadmap for him to take ambitious, attainable climate action in his first 100 days, first budget, and first year in office. Point 1: #SustainableBuildings. Read full plan: buff.ly/JyPEATV
- Reposted by Ben FurnasOur new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
- Thanks to the @nypost.com for letting me check an item off my bucket list (“be the target of a meaty hit piece by a world-class NYC tabloid”) and for highlighting @transalt.org proposals for better walking, biking, & transit! More nice ideas here: transalt.org/road-to-affo...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasStuck in traffic today? As part of the congestion pricing legislation, New York has the power to free the zone of traffic jams during Gridlock Alert Days by dynamically increasing the congestion pricing fee by 25%. But Governor Hochul directed the MTA *not* to use this power.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThat’s my State Senator, Let’s Gooo! longisland.news12.com/pumping-the-...
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🧵 Transportation Alternatives has issued an expansive and comprehensive roadmap for transforming NYC's streets, public spaces, and transportation systems, and Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social is just the person to implement it.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasVery impressive for a Business Improvement District to LEAD the charge to make this happen and contribute $1 million of the cost! It's made SUCH a difference. The seating and relaxing areas are impressively designed! @nyc.streetsblog.org @mikelydon.bsky.social @bfurnas.bsky.social @openplans.org
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNew Yorkers are craving secure bike parking: this one small station has had 2,000 unique users in just two years! More of these units — and larger facilities — will mean that more New Yorkers will have the peace of mind to try biking, without having to worry about theft.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasClimate Week NYC is just around the corner. Don't miss our incredible lineup of speakers, including: @bfurnas.bsky.social @schatz.bsky.social @casten.house.gov Register for Heatmap House here: info.heatmap.news/heatmap-hous...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasI wrote about what should be done about Canal Street a couple of years ago. Glad the city is doing something but there is yet so much more that could be done. medium.com/@reorientati...
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🚨 Daylighting Rally and Lobby Day September 15! 🚨 Join us, a coalition of street safety groups, and City Council members this Monday at 9:30 a.m., at City Hall Park. We’re fighting to pass @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's Intro 1138, the bill to bring universal daylighting to New York City.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNEW: Transportation Alternatives Calls For Investigation Into All Stalled Street Safety Projects After Corruption Charges Against Lewis-Martin
- Reposted by Ben FurnasWe had a great time yesterday at the Big Boro Bike Ride, celebrating cycling, advocacy, and community power! Looking to join another ride? Join us September 21 for the Century!
- Reposted by Ben FurnasAfter a tragic accident on Scott Avenue claimed the life of 29-year-old motorcyclist Philippe Haussmann last summer, DOT has worked with the Haussmann family, advocates, local community boards, & our office to swiftly plan and implement safety improvements to the area. Read about the plans below ⬇️
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNew research on the causes of irregular bus arrival times: "The most significant contributors to the variability of headways are variability in schedules and dispatching at terminals." Bus operator experience matters, too. doi.org/10.3390/smar...
- Reposted by Ben Furnas"It's City Hall's job to protect New Yorkers — not to sell them out to special interests. It’s a scandal that so many street safety projects are stuck in limbo, and that more New Yorkers are being hurt in crashes because of the Adams administration's inaction" - @bfurnas.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ben FurnasMy daughter Robyn was killed in New York City doing bicycle messenger work on June 24th, 2019 due in part because of unsafe road conditions. I fully support a safer McGuinness Boulevard. @fam4safestreets.bsky.social @familiesforsafestreets.bsky.social @transalt.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ben FurnasTo make this a more effective safety strategy, it would help if DOT actually informed people this is a thing (old pic from the N Point St in SF)
- Reposted by Ben FurnasI teased some initial thoughts about the new Flatbush center bus lane designs with @nyc.streetsblog.org a few weeks ago. Now @walterhook.bsky.social and I have done an in-depth analysis. In short, there are critical issues that must be resolved. reorientations.medium.com/designing-a-...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasBREAKING: "If These Allegations Are True, The Adams Administration Takes Bribes; New Yorkers Die": Statement from Transportation Alternatives on the Alleged Corruption Charges Facing Lewis-Martin and the Argentos Read our full statement here:
- Reposted by Ben FurnasA devastating crash in Astoria has left three people dead. I'm heartbroken for the victims and their loved ones. We can't normalize this. It's time to commit to streets that are safe for everyone.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThere's plans to make Astoria safe, but they haven't moved forward. In June, DOT presented on a street safety project for 19th Avenue, and local elected officials and community advocates have also also called for a comprehensive street safety plan. assembly.state.ny.us/write/upload...
- Reposted by Ben Furnasthe peds beat the bus riders by *8* minutes!!! over 1.5 miles. “Thirty-Fourth Street today and 42nd Street tomorrow," says @bfurnas.bsky.social executive director of Transportation Alternatives, one of the race hosts. great advocacy. 42nd St. will be danceable!
- Reposted by Ben FurnasPeople have been wrongly claiming bike lanes hurt business ever since the first bike lane was built. But let's set the record straight: the data is anything BUT unclear. Bike lanes: 💼 support local businesses 📉 reduce commercial vacancies
- A huge win - activism works!
- New signage on Bedford Avenue.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasDo you know a kid who needs a bike? A generous donor in Harlem has donated a bike that's perfect for a child around 3'6" to 3'9" tall. Go to transalt.org/bikematch to apply!
- Reposted by Ben FurnasThe legal battle over the Bedford Avenue protected bike lane continues... @emilylip.bsky.social explains the latest developments: youtube.com/shorts/KoQO9...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasVery good news. Glad @transalt.org is fighting City Hall on this.
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🚨 BREAKING: Over 220 New Yorkers Sign Pledge to Sue the City if Hit and Injured Along Bedford Avenue
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNew York City has been a laboratory for bus priority measures. The data is now in on how well different measures have worked. Check out our new report: peopleoriented.org/nyc-bus-prio...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasA young kid was tragically killed earlier this week by a driver behind the wheel of an SUV, an “accident” according to the Post. Can we start ripping out the car lanes on Eastern Parkway now? nypost.com/2025/06/28/u... #crashnotaccident @transalt.org @tabk.bsky.social
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🚨 BREAKING: Bedford Avenue Temporary Restraining Order Remains in Place; Judge Continues to Bar Adams Administration from Ripping Out Safety Improvements
- Reposted by Ben Furnas🚨 SAFE STREETS WIN: The first piece of legislation to regulate delivery app companies is set to pass! But we can't stop here: we need a full regulatory package to make sure these companies can't exploit loopholes — and their workers.
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNot only did Shahana Hanif win, but she easily won in the parts of the district closest to the rezoning where she pissed off local NIMBYs (EDs 31-36). They're all talk! enr.boenyc.gov/CD26925AD443...
- Reposted by Ben FurnasOn Saturday morning, a car driver allegedly ran a red light and hit a father and his son riding their bikes. The boy was taken to the hospital on a stretcher. The crash was a block away from the Bedford Avenue safety improvements. Mayor Adams wants to rip up these safety upgrades.
- Reposted by Ben Furnas☀️ It's hot this week. And if you're taking the bus, there's a good chance you're standing in the sun, baking while it takes its sweet time to arrive. We worked with NASA to reveal the 100 spots where New Yorkers swelter waiting for the bus:
- Reposted by Ben FurnasNYC bus stops lack tree shade because Parks won’t plant new ones within 40’ of an intersection, even though some existing trees are this close. Ironically, the city opts out of state daylighting law and allows cars to park all the way up to the corner www.nycgovparks.org/pagefiles/53...
