Your guide to NYC's public proceedings.
PUBLIC TESTIMONY
Testimony by Lauren Newman, Youth in Schools Organizer at Transportation Alternatives
3:47:34
·
119 sec
Lauren Newman from Transportation Alternatives expresses strong support for Intro 1138, which would implement universal daylighting across New York City. She emphasizes the importance of safe streets for students and the potential benefits of daylighting for overall street safety and infrastructure improvements.
- Over 75% of NYC students commute by walking, biking, or public transit, but streets are often designed for cars rather than children.
- Universal daylighting would not only prevent crashes but also create space for various public amenities and infrastructure improvements.
- Newman urges the passage of Intro 1138 and calls for additional resources to fully realize safer and healthier streets for New York City.
Lauren Newman
3:47:34
Good afternoon.
3:47:35
My name is Lauren Newman and I'm the youth in schools organizer at Transportation Alternatives.
3:47:41
I'm here today to express my strong support for intro eleven thirty eight and the implementation of universal daylighting across New York City.
3:47:49
As someone who works closely with students, parents and educators, I hear the same story again and again.
3:47:56
Our streets are designed in ways that make the simple everyday act of walking to school unnecessarily dangerous.
3:48:03
More than 75% of New York City Students commute to school by walking, biking or public transit.
3:48:10
Yet the streets surrounding their schools are too often built for cars and not for children.
3:48:17
Daylighting is a simple, proven and life saving intervention.
3:48:21
Clearing the space near intersections gives children, some of our smallest and most vulnerable pedestrians, a fighting chance to be seen and to get home safely.
3:48:31
Universal daylighting would not only prevent crashes but unlock space for greenery, storm water management, bike racks, bus boarding islands, public seating, and so many other public amenities, infrastructure that every neighborhood deserves.
3:48:46
But I want to emphasize, passing this bill is only one piece of the puzzle.
3:48:52
Our school communities need deep sustained investment in the infrastructure that makes streets safe and welcoming from daylighting through curb extensions, street trees, bioswales and more.
3:49:04
Our Green School Safe Streets initiative shows the transformative potential when we center students in street design.
3:49:11
Our kids deserve streets that are safe, green and resilient, not just during this morning bell but every day, all year long.
3:49:20
Intra eleven thirty eight is a vital step forward and I urge you to pass this bill and to pair it with the resources needed to fully realize a safer, healthier future for New York City's people.
3:49:32
Thank you so much.