Transportation Alternatives – 2010 to 2014

I became active with Transportation Alternatives in the summer of 2010. I was mainly interested in advocating for the development of a bicycle lane network in New York City. As a person with severe osteoarthritis in both knees from 2005 to 2015, which made walking difficult and running impossible, I discovered that my major mode of local transportation and my best opportunity for exercise was bicycle riding. However, like many people, I was concerned about my safety.  There was an epidemic of traffic crashes and numerous cyclist and pedestrian fatalities.  So safety was a major issue for me and the premiere advocacy organization in the nation in behalf of safe streets was and is Transportation Alternatives.  I decided to get involved.

I became vice-chair of the Transportation Alternatives Brooklyn Advocates Committee, gave workshops, primarily to older people on street safety, and developed an idea implemented by Transportation Alternatives to have cyclists wear or attach signs to their cycles encouraging responsible cycling. In early 2011 I was profiled in Transportation Alternative's Reclaim Magazine and also in 2011, was honored to be named the Transportation Alternatives Volunteer of the Year.

1. Encouraging walking and cycling street safety

2.  An idea I proposed, implemented by Transportation Alternatives, to have cyclists wear or attach signs to their cycles encouraging responsible cycling and communicating with drivers and pedestrians.

3. Gene Aronowitz profile in Transportation Alternative's Reclaim Magazine

4. 2011 Transportation Alternatives Volunteer of the Year Award.