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Sophia Lebowitz

@sophlebo.bsky.social
2.7K followers 449 following 216 posts

Reporter @ Streetsblog NYC Email: sophia@streetsblog.org, Signal: sophialebowitz.14 I also make documentaries: www.sophialebowitz.com/film

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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Amazon is threatening to yank its fleet of e-cargo delivery bikes over the Council's bill that would allow workers to unionize, @sophlebo.bsky.social reports nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/09/14/d...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Amazon's Latest Anti-Union Push Endangers Workers, NYC Streets - Streetsblog New York City
Amazon is constantly touting its e-quad deliveries — but now the company is threatening to pull its bikes off the streets if it can't get its way.
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 08/09/2026
Nine people were killed by hit-and-run drivers in August. buff.ly/NfLzOr8
nyc.streetsblog.org
Nine People Were Killed By Hit-And-Run Drivers In August - Streetsblog New York City
The latest victim? Nurse Jiaya Zheng, who was struck mere blocks from the medical center where she worked ... and was taken before she died.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 30/06/2026
My esteemed colleague Dave Colon was suspended from Bluesky, please see his official review of the @council.nyc.gov street renamings in honor of the New York Knicks.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
NEW: Best friend of cyclist who was killed on the Queensboro Bridge in a collision with someone on an illegal e-scooter (who also died) demands action from the city to curb the illegal vehicles and implement better street design.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Dead Cyclist's Best Friend Demands Action Against Illegal Vehicles on City Streets
The best friend of Dmytro Stechenko, who was killed in a head-on collision with an illegal scooter-rider on the Queensboro Bridge, is calling on the city to do more.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 15/06/2026
"It’s not like better street design is some kind of mystery," says the best friend of the cyclist who was killed in a crash with an illegal scooter rider on the Queensboro Bridge -- via @sophlebo.bsky.social nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/06/15/d...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Dead Cyclist's Best Friend Demands Action Against Illegal Vehicles on City Streets
The best friend of Dmytro Stechenko, who was killed in a head-on collision with an illegal scooter-rider on the Queensboro Bridge, is calling on the city to do more.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
nyc.streetsblog.org
Two Dead After Illegal Scooter Rider And Cyclist Crash On Queensboro Bridge - Streetsblog New York City
Street safety advocates have been criticizing city officials for failing to fully grasp the dangers of e-motos and illegal stand-up scooters for years.
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Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 10/04/2026
A no-brainer!
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 08/04/2026
New York City's 80,000 delivery workers finally have a hub to rest and charge their e-bikes. But who's ultimately responsible for providing this much-needed infrastructure: the City, or the companies that send them out on the streets? @sophlebo.bsky.social reports: youtube.com/shorts/WztLC...
youtube.com
NYC's First Delivery Worker Comfort Station Opens #grubhub #ubereats #doordash #nyc #news
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Mayor Mamdani has yet to earmark funding for DSNY's burgeoning waste containerization program, after former Mayor Adams failed to dedicate money beyond a pilot program. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/04/02/t...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Trash Containerization Program Remains Unfunded in Mamdani's City Budget - Streetsblog New York City
Whither the "Trash Revolution?"
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Daniel Varghese @drvarg01.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
banger report from @sophlebo.bsky.social in @nyc.streetsblog.org about how GrubHub, the "worker-friendly" delivery app, used a loophole to avoid paying its drivers the required min wage in the months before it was bought by Wonder nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/31/m...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Grubhub 'Outsourced' Delivery Work To Skirt Minimum Wage
Internal documents show that Grubhub, a delivery app owned by Wonder, subcontracted labor to lower paid workers to save money.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 31/03/2026
Wonder, which owns Grubhub, also recently acquired Relay — which is being shut down on April 1 by their parent company. @sophlebo.bsky.social joined a Relay courier for a shift earlier this year... before they needed to find a new way to make ends meet. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/31/o...
nyc.streetsblog.org
A Night On The Road With A Relay Delivery Worker
Delivery workers are among the hardest-working, worst-paid, most-endangered jobbers in town. We rode with one to give you an idea.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Went on a ride along with a Relay worker back in February, a lot of what I noticed then led me to the investigation into the subcontracting. The story explains how hard it is for delivery workers to understand how they are getting paid. Relay shuts down its New York operations tomorrow.
nyc.streetsblog.org
A Night On The Road With A Relay Delivery Worker
Delivery workers are among the hardest-working, worst-paid, most-endangered jobbers in town. We rode with one to give you an idea.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
"Grubhub, which also owns and operates Seamless, 'outsourced' to Relay, another delivery platform, 'to stem elevated driver pay costs,'" reports @sophlebo.bsky.social nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/31/m...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Grubhub 'Outsourced' Delivery Work To Skirt Minimum Wage
Internal documents show that Grubhub, a delivery app owned by Wonder, subcontracted labor to lower paid workers to save money.
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Olivia Bensimon @oliviabensimon.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Good piece from @sophlebo.bsky.social @nyc.streetsblog.org -- something worth thinking about the next time you order food for delivery nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/31/o...
nyc.streetsblog.org
A Night On The Road With A Relay Delivery Worker
Delivery workers are among the hardest-working, worst-paid, most-endangered jobbers in town. We rode with one to give you an idea.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
NEW: Grubhub subcontracted deliveriers to Relay in order to avoid paying workers the city's minimum pay standard for all of its orders.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Grubhub 'Outsourced' Delivery Work To Skirt Minimum Wage
Internal documents show that Grubhub, a delivery app owned by Wonder, subcontracted labor to lower paid workers to save money.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Evan Simko-Bednarski @simko-bednarski.bsky.social · 31/03/2026
Good story by @sophlebo.bsky.social in Streetsblog today:
nyc.streetsblog.org
Grubhub 'Outsourced' Delivery Work To Skirt Minimum Wage
Internal documents show that Grubhub, a delivery app owned by Wonder, subcontracted labor to lower paid workers to save money.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Boo!-per Lund @cooperlund.online · 30/03/2026
I took a Citibike on Friday and can personally confirm that this dumpster pushed me out into rush hour traffic on Bedford
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 26/03/2026
11th Street in the East Village has become an informal hub for delivery workers, who store their bikes there to avoid theft. Advocates are pushing back against the NY Post's negative coverage and the Mamdani administration is taking a more constructive approach to dealing with complaints.
nyc.streetsblog.org
THE SHIFT: Mamdani Calls In DSNY — Not NYPD — After Anti-Muslim Delivery Worker Hysteria From The NY Post - Streetsblog New York City
The New York Post has provoked several NYPD raids on a delivery worker hangout spot in the East Village — until now.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 18/03/2026
BREAKING: Mayor Mamdani is ending the Adams/Tisch-era policy of slapping cyclists and e-bike riders with criminal summonses for low-level traffic offenses. -- with @sophlebo.bsky.social nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/18/m...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Mamdani Ends NYPD's Criminal Crackdown on Cyclists, E-Bike Riders
Mayor Zohran Mamdani finally makes good on his campaign promise to end the punitive criminal crackdown on cycling in NYC.
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 16/03/2026
Why isn't the mayor moving more quickly to implement 'Sammy's Law' across New York City, and only starting with streets in front of schools? Streetsblog's @sophlebo.bsky.social asked at today's press conference — here's what Mayor Mamdani had to say. youtube.com/shorts/dpNLz...
youtube.com
Mayor Mamdani will reduce speed limits to 15mph in front of 800 more NYC schools #nyc #safety
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 10/03/2026
State legislators cut Gov. Hochul's controversial auto insurance deregulation from their budget proposals. nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/03/10/b...
nyc.streetsblog.org
BREAKING: State Lawmakers Cut Hochul's Car Insurance Scheme From Their Budget - Streetsblog New York City
The Uber-backed plan to lower car insurance rates has drawn criticism from legal professionals, crash victim advocates and state pols who say the legislative changes would strip crash victims of right...
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 06/03/2026
NEW: HungryPanda delivery workers share how the company hires dispatchers to pressure them into working during extreme and dangerous weather.
nyc.streetsblog.org
HungryPanda Pressured Delivery Workers in Dangerous Blizzard, Workers Say - Streetsblog New York City
Chinese food delivery app HungryPanda pressured New York City workers to make dangerous bike deliveries in a blizzard, according to one account.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
The criminal crackdown on cycling continues...
nyc.streetsblog.org
Thursday's Headlines: Mamdani's Criminal Crackdown on Cyclists Edition - Streetsblog New York City
Another day, another criminal summons. And another record from Jimmy and the Jaywalkers. Plus other news.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 03/03/2026
"We believe he's going to do the best things ... not only for delivery workers, but for all New Yorkers." @sophlebo.bsky.social spoke to the delivery workers who broke their fast with @mayor.nyc.gov on Monday night. youtube.com/shorts/I2OcK...
youtube.com
Mayor Zohran Mamdani breaks fast with delivery workers #nyc #ramadan #delivery #deliverydriver
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 25/02/2026
Council Member Joann Ariola is holding an oversight hearing on the impact of her legislation requiring DOT to notify not only FDNY HQ but also the local firehouses for any street redesign/open street that is more than three blocks long
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 19/02/2026
Streetsblog New York City is hiring a law enforcement reporter! More details: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Location:		New York City
Salary:			$70,000-$75,000 annual salary plus benefits 
Date Posted: 		2/6/26
Application Due:	3/6/26

StreetsblogNYC, a Polk Award-winning news outlet covering the movement for better transit, street safety and livable communities, is hiring a reporter to cover law enforcement.

We are seeking an experienced journalist to cover NYPD and the larger law enforcement community’s systemic failure to address traffic safety in the broadest possible sense: how multiple agencies fail to hold reckless drivers accountable; how law enforcement could be playing a more constructive role in protecting the most vulnerable road users; and how, of course, law enforcement routinely flouts traffic laws that the rest of us have to follow. 

In short, why is the NYPD, and the law enforcement community at large, so bad at Vision Zero?

The reporter will work approximately two days or more per week out of NYPD headquarters, where they will be expected to build sources within and around the police department and the city’s various district attorneys.

Minimum qualifications
3 years of experience as a working reporter.
NYPD sources.
A proactive approach to journalism and the ability to quickly pivot to breaking news as needed.
A high level of organization and ability to juggle multiple assignments and interviews.
Enjoyment at working in a fast-paced environment.
A knowledge of what Streetsblog does and why it does it.
A strong knowledge of issues relevant to sustainable transportation.
An even stronger understanding of how law enforcement works (or doesn’t) in New York City and beyond.
Lots of ideas!

We live in a rapidly changing journalistic environment. The ideal candidate can use data to both find stories in otherwise innocuous data bases, but also to create interactive components to our stories. But we also rely on traditional shoe-leather reporting, so the ideal candidate has existing sources and knows how to develop more
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
New!!! The New York Cycle Club sued the city over the 15 mile per hour Central Park speed limit.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Cycle Club Sues City, Calling Central Park Bike Speed Limit A 'Real Threat' To Active Transportation - Streetsblog New York City
The New York Cycle Club filed a lawsuit against the city alleging it overstepped with 15 mile per hour speed limit in Central Park.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 17/02/2026
NEW: Relay, a business to business delivery app, is shutting down operations in NYC, leaving all its workers without jobs starting April 1.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Relay — The Delivery App You Didn't Know You Were Using — Pulls Out As NYC Ramps Up Worker Protections - Streetsblog New York City
Relay is shutting down operations in New York City, leaving thousands of workers without jobs.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
The Brian Lehrer Show @thebrianlehrershow.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
Catch @sophlebo.bsky.social and Neile Weissman break down the Central Park 15mph speed limit. www.wnyc.org/story/slowin...
wnyc.org
Slowing Down Cyclists in Central Park | The Brian Lehrer Show | WNYC
There will be a 15 mile-per-hour speed limit for all vehicles on Central Park Drive, including bikes and e-bikes. How the city will it, plus an argument against the rule change.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 16/02/2026
Listen to @sophlebo.bsky.social and Neile Weissman discuss the Central Park 15mph speed limit on the Brian Lehrer Show: www.wnyc.org
wnyc.org
WNYC | New York Public Radio, Podcasts, Live Streaming Radio, News
WNYC is America's most listened-to public radio station and the producer of award-winning programs and podcasts like Radiolab, On the Media, and The Brian Lehrer Show.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 13/02/2026
"Our streets are a public good, and when these app companies are using streets as a means to generate billions of dollars in profits ... I do think they certainly have a shared responsibility to make sure that the streets are safe," said Sam Levine, DCWP commissioner.
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Q&A: Mamdani Biz Regulator Sam Levine Isn't Afraid To Take On Big Tech - Streetsblog New York City
Levine's worker and consumer protection agency has emerged as a key regulatory force against the fast-growing delivery app industry.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 13/02/2026
"These app companies are using streets as a means to generate ... profits, I think they certainly have a shared responsibility to make sure that the streets are safe and that they're not putting expectations on deliveristas that are forcing them to choose between their safety and their livelihood."
nyc.streetsblog.org
Q&A: Mamdani Biz Regulator Sam Levine Isn't Afraid To Take On Big Tech - Streetsblog New York City
Levine's worker and consumer protection agency has emerged as a key regulatory force against the fast-growing delivery app industry.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
The NYPD continues to give criminal summonses to cyclists instead of regular traffic tickets and to set up stings at Delancey and Suffolk Street.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Cyclists Still Getting Criminal Summonses — And Mayor Mamdani Is Still Waffling - Streetsblog New York City
Another day, another criminal sting against cyclists — and another day of Mayor Mamdani blowing off questions about why he is continuing a policy of his predecessor that he says he opposes.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 12/02/2026
Mayor Mamdani and the City Council are blaming each other for failing to implement a 2024 state law that gave the city the power to lower speed limits — and in doing so are following a pattern of inaction set by their predecessors.
nyc.streetsblog.org
'Everyone's At Fault': Mamdani and City Council Point Fingers Over Lowering Speed Limits - Streetsblog New York City
The mayor and the City Council are using the "art of deflection" to keep the status quo instead of lowering the speed limit to a safer 20 miles per hour.
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Reposted by Sophia Lebowitz
Gersh Kuntzman @realgershkuntzman.bsky.social · 09/02/2026
Don't forget this great job at Streetsblog: docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com
Streetsblog Law Enforcement Reporter job description
Title: Law enforcement reporter, Streetsblog NYC Location: New York City Salary: $70,000-$75,000 annual salary plus benefits Date Posted: February 6, 2026 Application Due: March 6, 2026 Stree...
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 06/02/2026
Lyft is responsible for clearing snow from Citi Bike's infrastructure, according to its contract with the city. A city official said they were stunned that Lyft was doing such a bad job.
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Lyft Appeasing 'Winter Warriors' With Swag As Majority Of Citi Bikes Remain Unusable - Streetsblog New York City
Service call? More like service gall.
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Kevin Duggan @kevinduggan.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
NYC Council Speaker Julie Menin says on WNYC this morning that there are "certain blocks that have over-saturation" of outdoor dining structures, and that she will meet with community groups next week to address those concerns.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 06/02/2026
Citi Bike sending "swag" to "winter warriors" as frustration mounts over unusable bikes.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Lyft Appeasing 'Winter Warriors' With Swag As Majority Of Citi Bikes Remain Unusable - Streetsblog New York City
Service call? More like service gall.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 04/02/2026
New: An e-bike subsidy program for low income New Yorkers in transit-starved areas was denied state funding for implementation.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Promising E-Bike Subsidy Pilot Is Denied Funding By State Agency - Streetsblog New York City
New York City's first e-bike subsidy program is stalled after not receiving state funding for implementation.
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Award-Winning Reporter Dave Colon @davecolon.bsky.social · 03/02/2026
Stuff like fighting crash victims instead of insurance companies is why Kathy Hochul will never enter Transit Valhalla, as this great explainer from @kevinduggan.bsky.social shows nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/02/02/t...
nyc.streetsblog.org
The Explainer: How Gov. Hochul's Car Insurance Agenda Hurts Victims, Helps Big Car, Big Insurance - Streetsblog New York City
Streetsblog explains why Gov. Kathy Hochul is fighting for worse insurance protections for victims of traffic violence.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
New York's hottest club is the Bushwick Citi Bike Igloo
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 30/01/2026
The administration is announcing this today at a food hall in Long Island City!
nyc.streetsblog.org
The Mamdani Effect: Three Delivery Apps Must Pay $5M In Minimum Pay Settlement - Streetsblog New York City
A new era: Mayor Mamdani's worker protection department announces new enforcement against UberEats, HungryPanda, and Fantuan for not complying with the minimum pay law.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A new sociological study from Hunter College researchers found that delivery workers are more likely to ride safely, and that protected bike lanes make all cyclists more rule-abiding.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Delivery Workers Are the Safest Cyclists On the Road, Study Finds - Streetsblog New York City
A new study from sociology researchers at Hunter College embraces e-bikes.
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 28/01/2026
A Bushwick community board voted to call out the NYPD's ongoing criminal summons policy for cyclists — but now the board's longtime chair wants to toss the resolution for procedural reasons, but also slammed its supporters as newcomers who don't represent "the community."
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Bushwick Panel Opposes NYPD Cycling Crackdown — But Board Chair Slams Newbies - Streetsblog New York City
A community board chair is calling into question the very role of community boards by saying his board doesn't speak for the community. Yes, he said the thinking part out loud.
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The City Reporter @thecityreporter.nyc · 27/01/2026
In the aftermath of a winter storm that belted New York City with more than 10 inches of snow, officials said hundreds of bus shelters and stops were still snowed in, forcing commuters to scale slushy mounds Monday before going on their way. www.thecity.nyc/2026/01/26/b...
thecity.nyc
Who Should Shovel Your Bus Stop? Storm Creates Mountains for Commuters
The transportation and sanitation agencies and adjacent property owners all play a role in clearing the way for bus riders.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
New York has just 69 so-called "school streets," but Mayor Mamdani said on the campaign trail he wanted to close hundreds of streets to cars outside of school buildings citywide by changing the current program into an "opt-out" model.
nyc.streetsblog.org
Universal School Streets Will Be a Heavy Lift for Mamdani: Advocates - Streetsblog New York City
Can New York be the Paris of America? Mayor Mamdani will have to get to work on the DOT's "School Streets" program to make that happen.
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Michael Li (李之樸) @mcpli.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
The delivery people of NYC get the next cover of the New Yorker with cover art by Peter de Sève, “New York’s Finest”
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 25/01/2026
Snow is nature's urban planner: It can show us what parts of the roadway drivers don't use — and what can be reclaimed for pedestrians. Post your photos and videos of all the #sneckdowns you see and tag us and @mayor.nyc.gov so today's winter wonderland can inspire better streets year-round!
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Streetsblog NYC @nyc.streetsblog.org · 23/01/2026
One state lawmaker suggested that in her district, more people are struck by e-bike riders than by car drivers. But according to crash data, there were just 24 involving e-bikes in her district in 2025 — meanwhile, there were 1,132 involving cars, trucks, SUVs and vans.
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State Pols Could Regulate E-Bikes Despite Not Knowing What They Are - Streetsblog Empire State
State lawmakers are flirting with the idea of regulating e-bikes as if they were cars, but don't have all the facts.
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Sophia Lebowitz @sophlebo.bsky.social · 22/01/2026
This is why you don't mess with perfection
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