Club Jersey, take 2!

Orders are being taken now for the next group of Jerseys.

There will be fit kits at the September 3rd meeting. If you have already purchased a jersey, the first group of jerseys from Primal are expected to be delivered by the week of September 9.

Date: August 15, 2024

Honorable Governor Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,

We, the undersigned coalition of advocacy groups, community organizations, and concerned New Yorkers, write to express our unequivocal support for the passage of the Defined Safe Passing legislation [(S1724 (Harckham) | A04346 (Steck)] that mandates a three foot safe passing distance for drivers passing or overtaking pedestrians, cyclists, and individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility devices. This critical measure aims to enhance safety, prevent crashes, and promote mutual respect on our roadways. As currently proposed this new measure would apply outside of the five boroughs. The current standard of “safe distance” will continue to apply in New York City.

Every day, New York’s communities are bustling with people using many different modes of transportation and mobility aids. Cyclists, pedestrians, and wheelchair users are vulnerable road users who, despite their right to share the road, face heightened risks from vehicular traffic. The proposed Defined Safe Passing legislation seeks to mitigate these risks by defining a clear and enforceable safe passing distance that will help drivers understand what they can do to help keep everyone on the road safe.

New York State lags behind the vast majority of the United States in protecting vulnerable road users with a Defined Safe Passing Law. Currently, 41 states and the District of Columbia have laws requiring at least a three-foot buffer for cyclists - only New York and 8 others remain. With Vermont’s adoption in July 2024, every single state bordering New York has enacted Defined Safe Passing regulations. Four out of Five bordering states mandate a four-foot buffer: Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Vermont. Three out of five extend this protection to all vulnerable road users, including pedestrians and wheelchair users: Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Vermont.   

The benefits of this legislation are manifold:

1. Improving Driver Education: By legally mandating a safe distance, and ensuring that new drivers get the information they need to keep everyone safe, this legislation fosters a culture of respect and consideration among drivers. It encourages responsible driving behaviors that take into account the well-being of all road users, particularly those who are most vulnerable.

2. Improving Mobility Access: For individuals using wheelchairs or other mobility aids, this legislation is especially crucial. It acknowledges the unique challenges faced by these individuals and helps ensure they can travel safely and confidently within their communities even when there is limited protected infrastructure.  Defined Safe Passing is a low cost way to provide some protection for our most vulnerable road users.

3. Improving New York’s Economy by attracting Active Tourism: New York is one of only four states rated F or F+ in the League of American Bicyclists Traffic Laws & Practices category. Adopting Defined Safe Passing would address this poor ranking, and immediately move NYS to the top ten bicycle friendly states in the nation, opening New York for more ecotourism opportunities

4. Uniform Laws: Currently, Suffolk and Monroe Counties have implemented their own three-foot Defined Safe Passing laws, creating a patchwork of regulations. By establishing a consistent, statewide law, we can ensure that all drivers are clear on the required safe passing distance, regardless of where they are in New York.

5. Reducing Crashes and Costs: The financial burden of traffic crashes involving vulnerable road users is substantial, including medical costs, legal expenses, and lost productivity. By reducing such crashes, this legislation has the potential to mitigate these economic costs and alleviate the strain on our healthcare and legal systems. 

We urge lawmakers to recognize the importance of Defined Safe Passing legislation and to act swiftly in its support. New York should join all of our immediate neighbors, as well as the vast majority of states in protecting the most vulnerable people on the road with this simple, cost-effective measure. Implementing a Defined Safe Passing law will enhance safety, reduce confusion, and demonstrate New York’s commitment to ensuring that all individuals on the road are protected.

Thank you for considering our support. We look forward to seeing advancements in road safety and hope that this legislation will receive the attention and urgency it deserves.

CC: Assembly Transportation Chair Magnarelli, Senate Transportation Chair Cooney 

Sincerely,

Anne Savage
Executive Director, New York Bicycling Coalition
and Co-Chair New York Safe Streets Coalition

Signatories:

[List of coalition members, including relevant organizations and advocates]

August 15, 2024

Honorable Governor Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,

We, the undersigned safe streets advocates, cycling organizations and public officials urge you to support S2643/May | A3986/Fahy Stop-as-Yield (Idaho Stop), which would update the V&TL to allow cyclists to treat red lights as stop signs, and stop signs as “yields."  

The benefits are significant:

Enhance Cyclist Safety

Fifty two cyclists were killed across New York in 2022. Yet many of these deaths could have been avoided if cyclists were not compelled by current law to remain in harm’s way.

Allowing cyclists to enter intersections before a light turns green gets them out of truck drivers’ blind spots and past cars blocking bike lanes—two major causes of cyclist deaths.  

Enabling cyclists to yield at stop signs reduces fatigue and their duration in intersections when they’re apt to get hit—additional risk factors.

Eleven states have passed Stop-as-Yield laws since Idaho in 1982.  In 2022 NHTSA found that these laws reduced death and injury by “allowing bicyclists to mitigate risk to their advantage.” 

Enhance Pedestrian Safety

Stop-as-Yield will also enhance pedestrian safety by a) incentivizing cyclists to practice safe, predictable behavior and b) refocusing enforcement on egregious behavior.

In 2018, NYCDOT observed that red light violations by cyclists dropped 66% when they were allowed to enter an intersection after stopping.  

And reducing the need to enforce minor infractions like slow-rolling through intersections allows law enforcement to focus on more serious violations, such as failing “to respect pedestrian right-of-way” [VTL 1151(a)] or “to maintain a speed not reasonable or prudent” [VTL 1180(a)].  This targeted approach would better protect pedestrians by addressing behaviors that genuinely endanger their safety.

Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled

Legislation making cycling safer and easier must complement investment in bike infrastructure if New York is to reduce vehicle miles traveled by 20% by 2050.  And since cars are overwhelmingly responsible for pedestrian fatalities, reducing VMTs will also help safeguard vulnerable road users.

Align with Best Practices

Paris, a city of 2.1 million, explicitly prioritized pedestrian safety when they passed Stop-as-Yield in 2015:

“Cyclists must show prudence and respect in all circumstances—in particular pedestrians to whom they must always give way.” 

Paris bike commutes during rush hour now comprises 18.9% of all trips—compared to just 6.6% by car.  And France overall has two-thirds fewer pedestrian fatalities per capita than the U.S.

Accordingly, we urge you to take this opportunity to enhance cyclist and pedestrian safety and accelerate New York’s transition to sustainable modes of travel.

Sincerely,

[Mazeda Uddin]
[CEO]
[South Asian Fund For Education,Scholarship,and Training,Inc]
[safestusa@gmail.com/646-318-4617]

CC: Assembly Transportation Chair Magnarelli, Senate Transportation Chair Cooney 

Signatories:

[List of coalition members, including relevant organizations and advocates]

Coalition Letter in Support of ‘Stop-as-Yield” Legislation

Date: August 15, 2024

Honorable Governor Hochul, Assembly Speaker Heastie, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins,

We, the undersigned coalition of safe streets advocates, elected officials, transportation planners, community groups, and concerned citizens, write to express our enthusiastic support for the proposed legislation that would allow cyclists to treat red lights and stop signs as "yield" signs [S2643 (May) | A3986 (Fahy)]. This crucial measure aims to enhance safety, promote efficiency, and align cycling regulations with best practices from around the world.

Cycling is a sustainable and healthy mode of transportation that increasingly contributes to urban mobility and environmental conservation. However, cyclists often face unique challenges at intersections governed by traffic signals and stop signs, which can disrupt their flow and create unnecessary hazards. The proposed legislation addresses these challenges by permitting cyclists to proceed through red lights and stop signs when it is safe to do so, while yielding to other traffic and pedestrians.

The advantages of this legislative change are significant:

1. Enhanced Safety: Allowing cyclists to treat red lights and stop signs as yield signs can reduce the risk of rear-end collisions. When cyclists are required to stop at every signal or sign, they may be more likely to be hit by impatient drivers. By permitting a controlled, safe approach, this measure helps minimize such risks.

2. Improved Traffic Flow: Cyclists often face delays at red lights and stop signs, which can create congestion and inefficient traffic patterns. By treating these signals as yield signs, cyclists can maintain smoother and more predictable traffic flow, benefiting all road users and reducing overall congestion.

3. Alignment with Best Practices: Many cities and countries around the world have successfully implemented similar provisions for cyclists, leading to safer and more efficient roadways. This legislation brings New York State in line with these progressive practices, supporting a global movement towards better cycling infrastructure.

4. Encouraging Cycling: This measure promotes cycling by making it a more practical and appealing mode of transportation. By reducing unnecessary stops, cyclists can enjoy a more seamless experience, encouraging more people to choose cycling for their daily commutes and recreational activities.

5. Supporting Sustainable Transportation: Facilitating cycling aligns with New York State's commitment to sustainability and reducing carbon emissions. Encouraging cycling helps achieve environmental goals while enhancing public health through increased physical activity.

We urge legislators to support this important bill and to recognize the benefits it will bring to cyclists and the broader community. By adopting this measure, New York State will lead the way in promoting safer, more efficient, and more sustainable transportation practices.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to your support and to advancing a more cyclist-friendly future.

CC: Assembly Transportation Chair Magnarelli, Senate Transportation Chair Cooney 

Sincerely,

[Mazeda Uddin]
[CEO]
[South Asian Fund For Education,Scholarship,and Training,Inc]
[safestusa@gmail.com/646-318-4617]

Signatories:

[List of coalition members, including relevant organizations and advocates]

8/8/2024 HBC Club Meeting

Call to order: 7:25 PM

New member

John Brody

Upcoming Events details on the website:

Tour of the Hamptons

Saratoga Fall Foliage Ride - Larry Denbaum described - 10/5-6/2024 - there is a meetup on the HBC Website; fundraiser for the YMCA; can do one day; not hilly   ? What is this?

Twin Lights Ride - NJ beaches; end of September

Mountain Bike Ride - Bethpage Park in October

Gettysburg - 2 days, 2 nights; less than $200

Our jerseys should be in by the time of these events; supposed to be in by Tour of the Hamptons

Karen gave Sal’s Membership report:

168 new members due to 152 trial memberships (152 rode the GC and get free membership until mid-September)

Total of 469 members

Treasurer’s Report-Anthony:

Checking looks low because GC expenses have come out of it.

Savings looks high because all GC donations have gone in there.

Anthony will transfer funds between the two

We also need to get the monies to the charities

We made about the same revenue and had about the same expenses as last year

Vice President’s report-John:

Trainer is free to anyone who wants it

The Great Cow Harbor 10K

Very easy to volunteer; a couple of the people from the race volunteered for our GC ride

9/21/2024 is the date of the race

John and Susan are volunteering

5,000 runners

Thanked everyone who came to the Volunteer Party and thanked Scott for hosting

“HBC Autumn Party” - Club Holiday Party - first Saturday in November - 11/2/2024; Harbor Boating Club

Limited to 50 people

Is this All Hands Day?  

Anthony will check to see because it would mean we cannot get in until later in the day.

Karen announced a free concert to attend:

Islip Arts Council - 50 years concert - Hecksher Park now moved indoors to East Islip HS 1 Redmen Street, Islip Terrace, NY - 8/10/2024 8:00 p.m.

Orchestra of Long Island

Free admission

Karen posted the minutes from the 7/2/2024 meeting and asked for a motion to approve

Susan Farren made a motion to approve the minutes from the 7/2/2024 Club Meeting

Ken seconded

Karen thanked Steve, because of a great GC event.

Karen showed pictures from the GC

Steve asked for feedback on the routes - Joe did the 85 mile and said the markings, route and rest stop were great.

The split between the 70- and 85-mile routes was a little confusing

At registration on Race Day, we should remind everyone that the road markings are there as well as cue sheets and RWGPS routes to download.

There were a couple of places it would have been nice to have an interim road marking.

Requests for other food at the rest stop:  pickles, different food at different rest stops

No shade at Kings Park so will need a bigger tent there next year

The routes also have a lot of shade

Riders were looking for shade to sit in at the rest stops

Possibly add a flatter route to attract more people - maybe 50 miles - but then need another rest stop and more markings and more volunteers… 

Kids Need More volunteers were really great all day at Harborfileds HS

Ice cream and pizza are fantastic

Anthony will look to see if the Port Jefferson School District deposited the security deposit check

Karen - We are going to have some of our charity representatives at the next club meeting; REI might be there.

John Greene talked about the benefits of membership at REI; $30 lifetime membership; 12-month warranty on everything including bicycles; Larry- if you buy something online, you can return at the store; get 10% credit back to spend on a future purchase for items not on sale; REI is also a cooperative and the profits go back to the members; very community oriented

Bicycle Playground has closed in Huntington

Karen will ask the former owner, Alex, if he wants to come to a meeting and present his current offerings.

Susan won the 50/50 and then we did drawings for left over items that had been donated to the Gold Coast Ride and various individuals won these items.

Karen made a motion to adjourn the meeting and Larry seconded the motion.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40 p.m.

Sincerely Reported,

Pam Rogers, HBC Secreatry