Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure meeting
February 9, 2026, 10:00 AM
The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held hearings on three bills: Int 0068-2026 on newsrack requirements, Int 0124-2026, which would create a task force to study street design for accessibility and safety, and Int 0409-2026, which would adjust bus lane restrictions.
What was discussed
- DOT testifies on the newsrack, street-design task force, and bus-lane bills DOT Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton delivered the administration's testimony on the three bills before the committee, and Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers introduced her Int 0124-2026, which would create a task force to study street design for accessibility and safety.
- How does DOT register and remove newsracks (Int 0068-2026)? Chairperson Shaun Abreu asked how DOT registers newsracks, communicates with owners about violations, and removes them. Deputy Commissioner Leon Heyward said DOT requires an address and has been collecting emails voluntarily, communicates by mail and email, cited graffiti, garbage, and abandonment
- How is DOT designing streets for e-bike safety (Int 0124-2026)? Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers pressed on how the administration evaluates e-bike safety impacts, designs streets for pedestrians, cyclists, e-cyclists, and drivers, and gathers community input. Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said DOT takes e-bike safety seriously, closely tracks crashes
- Should DOT post bus-lane signs on every block (Int 0409-2026)? Chairperson Shaun Abreu asked about Council Member Kevin C. Riley's Int 0409-2026, bus-lane signage standards, violation and repeat-offender data, and camera-enforcement revenue. Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said posting a sign on every block is longstanding standard policy at NYPD's request
- Council member questions on bike-lane safety, abandoned newsracks, and a Queens bus lane Council Member Phil Wong raised a constituent's bike-lane injury on the B57 route, abandoned newsracks accumulating trash and fire risk in his district, and questioned the bus-lane restrictions on Woodhaven Boulevard. Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said bike lanes generally improve safety and that
- What do bus-lane signs cost (Int 0409-2026)? Council Member Justin E. Sanchez asked the cost of bus-lane signs. Deputy Commissioner Eric Beaton said costs vary widely by size and mounting, and Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers suggested illuminating the sign wording for visibility.
- Delivery workers and transit advocates testify on the bills Cellou Balde, a delivery worker and member of the Worker Justice Project, testified in support of the street-design task force and called for it to focus on making e-bikes safe transportation, and Luis Alzate, speaking for the Amalgamated Transit Union, testified on the importance of bus service as
Agenda
3 items
- Int 0068-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to newsrack requirements and enforcement Hearing Held by Committee
- Int 0124-2026 A Local Law in relation to the establishment of a task force to study options for making street design and infrastructure safer in consideration of increased use of electric bicycles and related collisions Hearing Held by Committee
- Int 0409-2026 A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to bus lane restrictions Hearing Held by Committee