Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Media Watch

Don’t Let Cuomo Greenwash His Cars-Only Tappan Zee Bridge

By Noah Kazis | Feb 24, 2012 | 8 Comments

Governor Andrew Cuomo may have axed plans ten years in the making to build transit across the Tappan Zee Bridge, but hey, at least he promised to consider turning the old structure into a park, right? During a cabinet meeting Wednesday, Cuomo promised to study turning the current Tappan Zee Bridge into a walkway across […]

When Cops and Placard Holders Set the Tone for Transportation Coverage

By Ben Fried | Feb 3, 2012 | 24 Comments

Today’s Jim Dwyer column in the New York Times is a nice little encapsulation of everything that can go wrong when NYC’s press corps turns its attention to matters of transportation. The slug for the story on the metro section homepage reads: “New York often resorts to revenue-raising expedients like a lucrative new campaign to […]

In Other News, Times of London Pilots Unprecedented Cyclist Safety Program

By Brad Aaron | Feb 2, 2012 | 3 Comments

The Times of London has launched what Dani Simons aptly calls a “nearly mind-blowing” pro-cycling campaign. Inspired by a crash that seriously injured a Times reporter, “Cities Fit for Cycling” is the kind of multifaceted public safety program that is normally the province of non-profit advocacy, right down to the eight-point manifesto that covers everything […]

Dear Media Lemmings: Headphones Don’t Kill People, Drivers Do

By Brad Aaron | Jan 18, 2012 | 21 Comments

There’s a University of Maryland study making the rounds today that links pedestrian fatalities with the wearing of headphones — a three-fold increase over the last seven years. Judging from the breathless headlines, the causation is clear. “Study Shows Sharp Rise in Accidents Involving Tuned-Out Pedestrians,” reads the Chicago Tribune. “Fatal Distraction,” says MSNBC. “Music […]

Note to NYC Press: Public Health Experts Don’t Sell Cheeseburgers

By Ben Fried | Dec 19, 2011 | 12 Comments

For the second time in the past few weeks, a New York City media outlet has allowed Milk Burger owner Erik Mayor to claim that protected bike lanes in East Harlem will increase asthma rates. Earlier this month it was the Daily News, and over the weekend NY1 gave some airtime to Mayor too. East […]

Do the Math: NYPD’s Blame-the-Victim Routine Doesn’t Add Up

By Brad Aaron | Dec 14, 2011 | 4 Comments

Time after time, when a person loses his or her life while walking or biking in the city, the narrative unfolds according to script. Pedestrian or cyclist killed. Driver remained at the scene. No charges filed. Not only is it rare to hear of a driver held to even the minimum standard of care by […]

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