#bikenyc

Sick of close calls with drivers when you're walking in a crosswalk?

Want to reduce car dependency, which would in turn reduce demands for parking in new housing construction, which we know increases rents?

Tired of having to walk or bike into the intersection - where a car might hit you - just to see if you can cross safely?

Tired of going to Community Board meetings and hearing that street improvement projects like bus and bike lanes can't be made better because they'd have to remove some parking at intersections to do that?

Want to add additional seating, bike corrals, or more rain gardens?

Universal daylighting would fix or improve all these things!

FYI, there's also corresponding state legislation, A09985/S09769, which would require NYC to implement universal daylighting, but it's moving a little slower right now.

I'll be at the Intro 1138 hearing on Monday, April 21 in person to testify, but as with any Council hearing, you can also testify remotely on Zoom or send in written testimony (it's too early to have that information to share though). City Council members will start off the hearing talking about the bills on the docket to DOT representatives, so public testimony probably won't start until around 11am or noon. Expect to have 2 minutes for your testimony.

If you can't take the day off - which makes sense, it's during most folks' workdays and the hearings can run really long - you can testify on Zoom or send in written testimony. I'll post about that when that information is up! If you testify on Zoom, you only need to be present when you're called to testify, but you do need to be in the Zoom to be called on to testify. If you'd like to testify on Zoom in favor of lifesaving daylighting, you can connect with me (email me - see my website) so you can put the Zoom on mute and get a ping from me when you're called since I'm taking the day off to help folks speak up for this.

There's also going to be a rally ahead of the hearing on City Hall steps, too, at 9 am to support universal daylighting. You can RSVP to the rally and to testify with Transportation Alternatives or Open Plans.

Some resources and events that can help you prepare to testify, especially if it's your first time:

Open Plans is hosting a virtual session this Thursday, April 10 at 6pm about testifying for this bill!

Transportation Alternatives Brooklyn Activist Committee is hosting an in person work party for writing testimony and making signs for the rally on Monday, April 14 at 6pm! (I'm one of the hosts of this event - I'll be there in my N95 mask.)

Transportation Alternatives has an overview of how to testify at City Council.