Ben Furnas
@bfurnas.bsky.social
Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives
Former: @Cornell; @nycmayor.
The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world. Views mine. 🗽
Join us! https://transalt.org/membership
Former: @Cornell; @nycmayor.
The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world. Views mine. 🗽
Join us! https://transalt.org/membership
Pinned
Ben Furnas
@bfurnas.bsky.social
· Dec 9
We're so excited to announce that TA is welcoming its next executive director: Ben Furnas!
Ben will join TA in January.
Ben will join TA in January.
Incredibly excited and honored to join the amazing team at Transportation Alternatives!
The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world and New Yorkers deserve safe and convenient ways to get around.
Can’t wait to get to work!
The greatest city in the world should have the greatest streets in the world and New Yorkers deserve safe and convenient ways to get around.
Can’t wait to get to work!
Reposted by Ben Furnas
"When I was interviewing [DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn], we did not simply ask him about fulfilling that which has already been put forward. We asked him, what will it take to make this city the envy of the world when it comes to our streetscape?" — Mayor Mamdani youtube.com/shorts/69h0m...
Mayor Mamdani wants to make NYC's streetscape and transit "the envy of the world" #urbandesign
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 10:09 PM
"When I was interviewing [DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn], we did not simply ask him about fulfilling that which has already been put forward. We asked him, what will it take to make this city the envy of the world when it comes to our streetscape?" — Mayor Mamdani youtube.com/shorts/69h0m...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
"I'm so sorry that we could not have done this earlier...to have saved the loved ones in your life. But I thank you fopr the work that you have done...to ensure that this pain not be felt by others who call this same city home." — Mayor Mamdani at McGuinness Blvd. presser youtube.com/shorts/uwAYI...
Mayor Mamdani commits to ending traffic violence across NYC on third day in office #safestreets
YouTube video by Streetsblog NYC
youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:07 PM
"I'm so sorry that we could not have done this earlier...to have saved the loved ones in your life. But I thank you fopr the work that you have done...to ensure that this pain not be felt by others who call this same city home." — Mayor Mamdani at McGuinness Blvd. presser youtube.com/shorts/uwAYI...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
NEW: Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but watered down by Mayor Adams in a corruption scandal. buff.ly/T2rESWz
Mamdani Announces Full McGuinness Road Diet, Finishing a Job Halted by Adams - Streetsblog New York City
Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor…
nyc.streetsblog.org
January 3, 2026 at 11:12 PM
NEW: Mayor Mamdani chose the third full day of his tenure to announce that he will complete the full safety redesign of deadly McGuinness Boulevard in Greenpoint — a project that was created under Mayor Bill de Blasio, but watered down by Mayor Adams in a corruption scandal. buff.ly/T2rESWz
Reposted by Ben Furnas
“Mr. Adams was required by law…to create 150 miles of bus lanes with barriers or camera enforcement and 250 miles of protected bike lanes over 5 years, a task that now falls to Mr. Mamdani….In the last 4 years, the city installed about 28 miles of bus lanes and 95 miles of protected bike lanes.”
January 1, 2026 at 2:30 PM
“Mr. Adams was required by law…to create 150 miles of bus lanes with barriers or camera enforcement and 250 miles of protected bike lanes over 5 years, a task that now falls to Mr. Mamdani….In the last 4 years, the city installed about 28 miles of bus lanes and 95 miles of protected bike lanes.”
Reposted by Ben Furnas
“After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station – a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city.”
Zohran Mamdani sworn in as mayor of New York City
New mayor, 34, was sworn in by state attorney general Letitia James in old beaux arts city hall subway station
www.theguardian.com
January 1, 2026 at 5:39 AM
“After just having taken my oath to become the mayor of the city of New York, I do so also here in the old City Hall subway station – a testament to the importance of public transit to the vitality, the health, the legacy of our city.”
Mike is an excellent pick - smart, kind, experienced, with a bold vision for safer, more effective streets and the savviness to get it done.
The future is bright for every New Yorker - no matter how we get around!
The future is bright for every New Yorker - no matter how we get around!
ICYMI: Mayor Mamdani announced Mike Flynn as his pick for DOT Commissioner at his midnight swearing-in ceremony at the decommissioned City Hall subway station.
Mamdani Picks Mike Flynn for DOT Commissioner — And Put Him Center Stage at his Swearing In - Streetsblog New York City
Who is Mike Flynn, Mayor-elect Mamdani's apparent pick to be the city's next Department of Transportation Commissioner?
buff.ly
January 1, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Mike is an excellent pick - smart, kind, experienced, with a bold vision for safer, more effective streets and the savviness to get it done.
The future is bright for every New Yorker - no matter how we get around!
The future is bright for every New Yorker - no matter how we get around!
Reposted by Ben Furnas
The pricing means that taking a Citi Bike will become, for a lot of people, the transportation choice of last resort, such as when there's a subway meltdown or it's 20 minutes before the next bus arrives. That's not at all what the city should want. It should be a seamless part of people's choices.
Highway robbery:
For non-members, less than seven minutes on an e-bike is more expensive than the subway. And even for Citi Bike members, a ten-minute e-bike ride is as expensive as the subway.
It's time for New York City to subsidize bike share and cap runaway Citi Bike prices
For non-members, less than seven minutes on an e-bike is more expensive than the subway. And even for Citi Bike members, a ten-minute e-bike ride is as expensive as the subway.
It's time for New York City to subsidize bike share and cap runaway Citi Bike prices
December 30, 2025 at 6:46 PM
The pricing means that taking a Citi Bike will become, for a lot of people, the transportation choice of last resort, such as when there's a subway meltdown or it's 20 minutes before the next bus arrives. That's not at all what the city should want. It should be a seamless part of people's choices.
Staten Island Ferry and Citi Bike ridership, by year, 2007-present.
December 29, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Staten Island Ferry and Citi Bike ridership, by year, 2007-present.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
The Road to Affordability is a blueprint of more than 80 ideas the next administration can implement to make our city safer and more affordable, using the power the mayor already has over our streets.
December 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
The Road to Affordability is a blueprint of more than 80 ideas the next administration can implement to make our city safer and more affordable, using the power the mayor already has over our streets.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Our new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
Can speed cameras make streets safer? Quasi-experimental evidence from New York City | PNAS
Each year, approximately 40,000 people die in vehicle collisions in the United States,
generating $340 billion in economic costs. To make roads saf...
www.pnas.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Our new study provides rare causal evidence about NYC’s speed camera program. We find large reductions in collisions (30%) and injuries (16%) near intersections with cameras. www.pnas.org/doi/abs/10.1... @astagoff.bsky.social ky.social @brendenbeck.bsky.social nbeck.bsky.social 🧪
Thanks to the @nypost.com for letting me check an item off my bucket list (“be the target of a meaty hit piece by a world-class NYC tabloid”) and for highlighting @transalt.org proposals for better walking, biking, & transit!
More nice ideas here:
transalt.org/road-to-affo...
More nice ideas here:
transalt.org/road-to-affo...
November 29, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Thanks to the @nypost.com for letting me check an item off my bucket list (“be the target of a meaty hit piece by a world-class NYC tabloid”) and for highlighting @transalt.org proposals for better walking, biking, & transit!
More nice ideas here:
transalt.org/road-to-affo...
More nice ideas here:
transalt.org/road-to-affo...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Stuck in traffic today?
As part of the congestion pricing legislation, New York has the power to free the zone of traffic jams during Gridlock Alert Days by dynamically increasing the congestion pricing fee by 25%.
But Governor Hochul directed the MTA *not* to use this power.
As part of the congestion pricing legislation, New York has the power to free the zone of traffic jams during Gridlock Alert Days by dynamically increasing the congestion pricing fee by 25%.
But Governor Hochul directed the MTA *not* to use this power.
November 20, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Stuck in traffic today?
As part of the congestion pricing legislation, New York has the power to free the zone of traffic jams during Gridlock Alert Days by dynamically increasing the congestion pricing fee by 25%.
But Governor Hochul directed the MTA *not* to use this power.
As part of the congestion pricing legislation, New York has the power to free the zone of traffic jams during Gridlock Alert Days by dynamically increasing the congestion pricing fee by 25%.
But Governor Hochul directed the MTA *not* to use this power.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
🧵 Transportation Alternatives has issued an expansive and comprehensive roadmap for transforming NYC's streets, public spaces, and transportation systems, and Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social is just the person to implement it.
When Mayor-elect Mamdani takes office on January 1, he will control over 6,300 miles of streets throughout the five boroughs.
Reducing car dependence is one of the best ways to reduce costs for New Yorkers. Owning a car costs nearly $9,000 annually, while taking transit costs just $1,500.
Reducing car dependence is one of the best ways to reduce costs for New Yorkers. Owning a car costs nearly $9,000 annually, while taking transit costs just $1,500.
November 13, 2025 at 3:29 PM
🧵 Transportation Alternatives has issued an expansive and comprehensive roadmap for transforming NYC's streets, public spaces, and transportation systems, and Mayor-elect @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social is just the person to implement it.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Very impressive for a Business Improvement District to LEAD the charge to make this happen and contribute $1 million of the cost! It's made SUCH a difference. The seating and relaxing areas are impressively designed! @nyc.streetsblog.org @mikelydon.bsky.social @bfurnas.bsky.social @openplans.org
NYC's Meatpacking District Converts 14th Street to a Pleasant Promenade with Public Porches
YouTube video by Streetfilms®
www.youtube.com
October 27, 2025 at 11:32 AM
Very impressive for a Business Improvement District to LEAD the charge to make this happen and contribute $1 million of the cost! It's made SUCH a difference. The seating and relaxing areas are impressively designed! @nyc.streetsblog.org @mikelydon.bsky.social @bfurnas.bsky.social @openplans.org
Reposted by Ben Furnas
New Yorkers are craving secure bike parking: this one small station has had 2,000 unique users in just two years!
More of these units — and larger facilities — will mean that more New Yorkers will have the peace of mind to try biking, without having to worry about theft.
More of these units — and larger facilities — will mean that more New Yorkers will have the peace of mind to try biking, without having to worry about theft.
Last month we celebrated the two year anniversary of Oonee Hudson Square with local BID.
Personally, on this journey I am most proud of the way that NYC communities have embraced our initial bike parking stations-- hard 2 believe that ppl were once skeptical bc they were afraid of blowback.
Personally, on this journey I am most proud of the way that NYC communities have embraced our initial bike parking stations-- hard 2 believe that ppl were once skeptical bc they were afraid of blowback.
October 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
New Yorkers are craving secure bike parking: this one small station has had 2,000 unique users in just two years!
More of these units — and larger facilities — will mean that more New Yorkers will have the peace of mind to try biking, without having to worry about theft.
More of these units — and larger facilities — will mean that more New Yorkers will have the peace of mind to try biking, without having to worry about theft.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Climate Week NYC is just around the corner. Don't miss our incredible lineup of speakers, including:
@bfurnas.bsky.social
@schatz.bsky.social
@casten.house.gov
Register for Heatmap House here: info.heatmap.news/heatmap-hous...
@bfurnas.bsky.social
@schatz.bsky.social
@casten.house.gov
Register for Heatmap House here: info.heatmap.news/heatmap-hous...
September 15, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Climate Week NYC is just around the corner. Don't miss our incredible lineup of speakers, including:
@bfurnas.bsky.social
@schatz.bsky.social
@casten.house.gov
Register for Heatmap House here: info.heatmap.news/heatmap-hous...
@bfurnas.bsky.social
@schatz.bsky.social
@casten.house.gov
Register for Heatmap House here: info.heatmap.news/heatmap-hous...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
I wrote about what should be done about Canal Street a couple of years ago. Glad the city is doing something but there is yet so much more that could be done.
medium.com/@reorientati...
medium.com/@reorientati...
September 12, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I wrote about what should be done about Canal Street a couple of years ago. Glad the city is doing something but there is yet so much more that could be done.
medium.com/@reorientati...
medium.com/@reorientati...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
🚨 Daylighting Rally and Lobby Day September 15! 🚨
Join us, a coalition of street safety groups, and City Council members this Monday at 9:30 a.m., at City Hall Park.
We’re fighting to pass @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's Intro 1138, the bill to bring universal daylighting to New York City.
Join us, a coalition of street safety groups, and City Council members this Monday at 9:30 a.m., at City Hall Park.
We’re fighting to pass @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's Intro 1138, the bill to bring universal daylighting to New York City.
September 11, 2025 at 9:33 PM
🚨 Daylighting Rally and Lobby Day September 15! 🚨
Join us, a coalition of street safety groups, and City Council members this Monday at 9:30 a.m., at City Hall Park.
We’re fighting to pass @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's Intro 1138, the bill to bring universal daylighting to New York City.
Join us, a coalition of street safety groups, and City Council members this Monday at 9:30 a.m., at City Hall Park.
We’re fighting to pass @cmjuliewon.bsky.social's Intro 1138, the bill to bring universal daylighting to New York City.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
NEW: Transportation Alternatives Calls For Investigation Into All Stalled Street Safety Projects After Corruption Charges Against Lewis-Martin
Transportation Alternatives Calls For Investigation Into All Stalled Street Safety Projects After Corruption Charges Against Lewis-Martin — Transportation Alternatives
Ingrid Lewis-Martin is facing bribery charges after allegedly working with the Argento family to stop the McGuinness Boulevard street redesign. McGuinness Boulevard is one of several street safety ...
transalt.org
September 8, 2025 at 3:04 PM
NEW: Transportation Alternatives Calls For Investigation Into All Stalled Street Safety Projects After Corruption Charges Against Lewis-Martin
Reposted by Ben Furnas
We had a great time yesterday at the Big Boro Bike Ride, celebrating cycling, advocacy, and community power!
Looking to join another ride? Join us September 21 for the Century!
Looking to join another ride? Join us September 21 for the Century!
September 8, 2025 at 4:41 PM
We had a great time yesterday at the Big Boro Bike Ride, celebrating cycling, advocacy, and community power!
Looking to join another ride? Join us September 21 for the Century!
Looking to join another ride? Join us September 21 for the Century!
Reposted by Ben Furnas
After a tragic accident on Scott Avenue claimed the life of 29-year-old motorcyclist Philippe Haussmann last summer, DOT has worked with the Haussmann family, advocates, local community boards, & our office to swiftly plan and implement safety improvements to the area.
Read about the plans below ⬇️
Read about the plans below ⬇️
September 5, 2025 at 9:02 PM
After a tragic accident on Scott Avenue claimed the life of 29-year-old motorcyclist Philippe Haussmann last summer, DOT has worked with the Haussmann family, advocates, local community boards, & our office to swiftly plan and implement safety improvements to the area.
Read about the plans below ⬇️
Read about the plans below ⬇️
Reposted by Ben Furnas
New research on the causes of irregular bus arrival times:
"The most significant contributors to the variability of headways are variability in schedules and dispatching at terminals." Bus operator experience matters, too.
doi.org/10.3390/smar...
"The most significant contributors to the variability of headways are variability in schedules and dispatching at terminals." Bus operator experience matters, too.
doi.org/10.3390/smar...
September 3, 2025 at 1:02 PM
New research on the causes of irregular bus arrival times:
"The most significant contributors to the variability of headways are variability in schedules and dispatching at terminals." Bus operator experience matters, too.
doi.org/10.3390/smar...
"The most significant contributors to the variability of headways are variability in schedules and dispatching at terminals." Bus operator experience matters, too.
doi.org/10.3390/smar...