Julia De Martini Day, BA, is a planner and advocate for Transportation Alternatives (TA).  Julia primarily works on the Pedestrian Safety and Livable Streets campaigns.  Her work has focused on safer streets for senior residents and developing playstreets in East Harlem to increase physical activity and support the NYC Food and Fitness Partnership.

Q: Why is it important to support pedestrians and cyclists?

A: Streets can have an impact on our health, the economy and our social lives.  Most of New York City was built before cars ruled the streets.  Because of that, it is a very walkable place with wide sidewalks and many parks.  Most people who live here walk, bike or use public transit in their daily lives and these forms of active transportation are great ways to incorporate physical activity into our daily lives.  It has also been shown that people who walk and bike in NYC report better overall health.  Physical activity and the improved air quality that comes from less vehicle traffic on the streets can positively impact our health and decrease the costs associated with chronic disease in the long-term.  

In addition to improving our health, walking can improve sales for retail businesses.  In a report by TA, retailers on Montague Street in Brooklyn experienced a 26% increase in sales when the street was closed to cars during Summer Street events.  Residents also spent more time walking to events when the street was more pedestrian-friendly - closed to cars - than when the streets are open to car traffic. Also, 80% of NYC public space is street and sidewalk space, so it is an important resource that should be designed to serve people walking, biking and taking transit.  Streets can help people's mental health and social lives by creating spaces for neighbors to socialize with each other.  Studies, like T.A.'s Traffics Human Toll, have shown that residents living on streets with low car-traffic socialize more with their neighbors than people living on high-traffic streets. 

Q: For those who don't have bicycles or can't afford them, what are the alternatives or cheaper options?

A: There are several programs in NYC that allow people to access bikes; one of them is ‘Recycle a Bicycle.'  They work with youth to build and repair older bikes, and sell them at low cost.  Another program is ‘Bike New York.'  This organization teaches kids and adults how to ride bikes (they provide bikes for lessons, but not for purchase).   

Q: What changes are being made to improve the streets in Harlem?

A: T.A. and the Harlem River Park Task Force are working with the NYC Department of Transportation to improve pedestrian and bicyclist safety at the intersections near Harlem River Park's three entrances.  With the Task Force, we submitted recommendations to the City to "calm" the intersections near the access ramps that lead into the park and make them safer for pedestrians and bicyclists to use. We also recommended that the ramps be well maintained and kept clean. Traffic is very heavy at these intersections, especially on 135th Street and Madison.  One recommendation we made was for the City to install a pedestrian refuge island, which would shorten pedestrian crossing distances by creating a space for people to stop while crossing the street. Pedestrian refuge islands can also help to slow down turning cars by not allowing them to whip around corners.  Another recommendation was for all sidewalks to have ADA (American Disability Act) curb-cuts.  A curb-cut is a part of the sidewalk where the sidewalk slopes into the street, making the sidewalk accessible to people in wheelchairs or using walking devices, such as canes.  

Harlem Word is a series of interviews with Harlem health experts, written by HHPC and reviewed by our Health Advisory Board.

Read more about our interview with Julia De Martini Day...

•  TA in Harlem
• Reclaiming the streets for pedestrians