New Group Organizes to Ensure City’s Vision Zero Goals Implemented Rapidly
Given that we Forest Hillers have to somehow coexist with Queens Blvd. in our midst, this group's formation was a long time in coming—and completely inevitable. Public officials have seemed barely concerned for years with the safety of pedestrians trying to cross Queens Blvd. In fact, it seems like there is even less time to cross Queens Blvd. today than there was several years ago—about 45 seconds, which is just insane.
Also, hasn't it been fun trying to traverse Queens Blvd. with those mountains of snow blocking the pedestrian crosswalks? How is a senior citizen or someone with a disability supposed to climb those mountains of ice? You'd think someone would be assigned to shoveling out those crosswalk paths, making it safe for pedestrians to cross this 12-lane stretch of road which cuts through our neighborhood. This is a blaring example of how cars are given the priority over the safety of pedestrians in this City and it has to stop.
Anyway, here's the statement of the new Families for Safe Streets Group:
"As families whose loved ones have been killed or maimed by reckless driving and dangerous conditions on New York City's streets, we demand an end to traffic fatalities and serious injuries. We are parents, children, partners and siblings who represent the full breadth of New York's diversity. We envision a city where pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers safely co-exist, and children and adults can travel freely without risk of harm – a city where no loss of life is acceptable. In early 2014, we came together to turn our grief into action, so that no one else will have to endure our pain. We have formed a group that will serve as a force for change, to make sure the Interagency Vision Zero Working Group’s Action Plan is implemented rapidly. We will be testifying at the City Council Transportation Committee’s oversight hearing on Vision Zero on Monday the 24th."
Given that we Forest Hillers have to somehow coexist with Queens Blvd. in our midst, this group's formation was a long time in coming—and completely inevitable. Public officials have seemed barely concerned for years with the safety of pedestrians trying to cross Queens Blvd. In fact, it seems like there is even less time to cross Queens Blvd. today than there was several years ago—about 45 seconds, which is just insane.
Also, hasn't it been fun trying to traverse Queens Blvd. with those mountains of snow blocking the pedestrian crosswalks? How is a senior citizen or someone with a disability supposed to climb those mountains of ice? You'd think someone would be assigned to shoveling out those crosswalk paths, making it safe for pedestrians to cross this 12-lane stretch of road which cuts through our neighborhood. This is a blaring example of how cars are given the priority over the safety of pedestrians in this City and it has to stop.
Anyway, here's the statement of the new Families for Safe Streets Group:
"As families whose loved ones have been killed or maimed by reckless driving and dangerous conditions on New York City's streets, we demand an end to traffic fatalities and serious injuries. We are parents, children, partners and siblings who represent the full breadth of New York's diversity. We envision a city where pedestrians, bicyclists and drivers safely co-exist, and children and adults can travel freely without risk of harm – a city where no loss of life is acceptable. In early 2014, we came together to turn our grief into action, so that no one else will have to endure our pain. We have formed a group that will serve as a force for change, to make sure the Interagency Vision Zero Working Group’s Action Plan is implemented rapidly. We will be testifying at the City Council Transportation Committee’s oversight hearing on Vision Zero on Monday the 24th."
