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
thank you bad bunny for highlighting the importance of critical power distribution infrastructure bsky.app/profile/cost...
It’s the weekend everyone, so you know what that means. Time to drink two polar seltzers and do a thread on the power transformer shortage. Without transformers, we don’t get a clean energy transition. And as energysky knows, there’s been a shortage due to covid, supply chain, & labor constraints 🔌🔋
February 9, 2026 at 1:35 AM
thank you bad bunny for highlighting the importance of critical power distribution infrastructure bsky.app/profile/cost...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
All I’ll say is we didn’t have a winter like this for all of Bill de Blasio's eight years since he put the fear of FUCKING GOD into the groundhogs.
February 8, 2026 at 3:02 AM
All I’ll say is we didn’t have a winter like this for all of Bill de Blasio's eight years since he put the fear of FUCKING GOD into the groundhogs.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
The 5 Boro Pizza Challenge is back and cheesier than ever! On Saturday, May 9, this multi-modal adventure invites you to explore all five boroughs in a single day, eating at five epic pizzerias, using any mode of transportation — except, NO cars!
Register now: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
Register now: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
2026 5 Boro Pizza Challenge
You Asked, We Deliver. The 5 Boro Pizza Challenge is back in 2026! Are you ready for the ultimate multimodal pizza adventure? Join us on May 9, 2026, for the return of the legendary 5 Boro Pizza Chall...
www.zeffy.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:51 PM
The 5 Boro Pizza Challenge is back and cheesier than ever! On Saturday, May 9, this multi-modal adventure invites you to explore all five boroughs in a single day, eating at five epic pizzerias, using any mode of transportation — except, NO cars!
Register now: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
Register now: www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticket...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Families for Safe Streets member Joe Jankoski went on WNYC last week to talk about Stop Super Speeders.
To slow down reckless drivers and save lives, Albany must pass the program into law this spring.
To slow down reckless drivers and save lives, Albany must pass the program into law this spring.
January 27, 2026 at 7:47 PM
Families for Safe Streets member Joe Jankoski went on WNYC last week to talk about Stop Super Speeders.
To slow down reckless drivers and save lives, Albany must pass the program into law this spring.
To slow down reckless drivers and save lives, Albany must pass the program into law this spring.
Reposted by Ben Furnas
"First launched in 1974, Ciclovía is a program that shuts down city streets to cars once a week, on Sundays, and opens them to people walking and biking... In a city of 9 million, some 2 million residents of the city participate every week."
January 24, 2026 at 5:21 PM
"First launched in 1974, Ciclovía is a program that shuts down city streets to cars once a week, on Sundays, and opens them to people walking and biking... In a city of 9 million, some 2 million residents of the city participate every week."
Reposted by Ben Furnas
When NYC DOT began its mission to transform NYC streets, it issued a lot of strong policy docs & updates on city transportation trends. We need to get back to that
Consider 2008's critique of NYC's underdeveloped public realm (with Gehl Architects), or the annual Sustainable Streets Index
Consider 2008's critique of NYC's underdeveloped public realm (with Gehl Architects), or the annual Sustainable Streets Index
January 21, 2026 at 3:27 PM
When NYC DOT began its mission to transform NYC streets, it issued a lot of strong policy docs & updates on city transportation trends. We need to get back to that
Consider 2008's critique of NYC's underdeveloped public realm (with Gehl Architects), or the annual Sustainable Streets Index
Consider 2008's critique of NYC's underdeveloped public realm (with Gehl Architects), or the annual Sustainable Streets Index
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Speed limiters for reckless drivers is a no brainer for safe streets. Let's hope this happens in NYC and the rest of the state very soon!
Statements from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets on Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address and Policy Plan
The Stop Super Speeders legislation would require speed limiters in cars that rack up a dangerous number of speeding tickets in a year.
The Stop Super Speeders legislation would require speed limiters in cars that rack up a dangerous number of speeding tickets in a year.
Statements from Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets on Governor Hochul’s State of the State Address and Policy Plan — Transportation Alternatives
The Stop Super Speeders legislation would require speed limiters in cars that rack up a dangerous number of speeding tickets in a year. NEW YORK — Today, Transportation Alternatives released t...
transalt.org
January 13, 2026 at 8:09 PM
Speed limiters for reckless drivers is a no brainer for safe streets. Let's hope this happens in NYC and the rest of the state very soon!
Reposted by Ben Furnas
🙌🏼 Let's go!
BOOM
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
January 13, 2026 at 3:04 PM
🙌🏼 Let's go!
BOOM
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
January 13, 2026 at 12:11 PM
BOOM
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
Governor Hochul will be advancing “Stop Super Speeders” through the budget - a major step forward for this common sense life-saving safety measure.
empire.streetsblog.org/state-of-the-s…
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Listen to our Executive Director, @bfurnas.bsky.social, on @benmax.bsky.social's podcast this morning!
"Right out of the gate, [Mayor Mamdani's] describing a much more expansive and ambitious vision for the streets."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
"Right out of the gate, [Mayor Mamdani's] describing a much more expansive and ambitious vision for the streets."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
How Mayor Mamdani Can Create a More Livable City, with Ben Furnas & Sara Lind
Podcast Episode · Max Politics · 01/10/2026 · 1h 14m
podcasts.apple.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:00 PM
Listen to our Executive Director, @bfurnas.bsky.social, on @benmax.bsky.social's podcast this morning!
"Right out of the gate, [Mayor Mamdani's] describing a much more expansive and ambitious vision for the streets."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
"Right out of the gate, [Mayor Mamdani's] describing a much more expansive and ambitious vision for the streets."
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Founding StreetsPAC board member @kencoughlin.bsky.social!
Ken Coughlin joined the campaign for a car-free Central Park in 1991 and led it from 1996 until the last car exited the park in 2018.
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
Ken Coughlin: How a Central Park Bike Ride Led to 35 Years of Activism to Change NYC’s Streets
YouTube video by New York Society for Ethical Culture
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 10:45 PM
Founding StreetsPAC board member @kencoughlin.bsky.social!
Reposted by Ben Furnas
Ken Coughlin joined the campaign for a car-free Central Park in 1991 and led it from 1996 until the last car exited the park in 2018.
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
Ken Coughlin: How a Central Park Bike Ride Led to 35 Years of Activism to Change NYC’s Streets
YouTube video by New York Society for Ethical Culture
youtu.be
January 9, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Ken Coughlin joined the campaign for a car-free Central Park in 1991 and led it from 1996 until the last car exited the park in 2018.
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
Watch his presentation at the New York Society for Ethical Culture: youtu.be/jPQ4rVvS3io?...
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...