StreetsPAC today announced its second round of candidate endorsements for New York City’s September primary election, giving its enthusiastic backing to City Council incumbents Margaret Chin, Stephen Levin and Mark Weprin, as well State Assemblymember Vanessa Gibson, who’s running for an open Council seat in the Bronx.

“The four candidates we’re endorsing today have all made big strides in embracing safe- and complete-streets policies,” said Dave “Paco” Abraham, a co-founder of StreetsPAC.  “They share our belief that New York City’s public spaces should be safe and vibrant.  We look forward to working closely with them on their campaigns, and after they’re elected, to make our streets more livable.”

“As with our first endorsees, this is a diverse group of candidates who represent very different neighborhoods, from the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan to the farthest reaches of Eastern Queens,” said StreetsPAC co-founder Doug Gordon.  “But they’re united by a common desire to pursue policies that will save their constituents’ lives, like the implementation of Neighborhood Slow Zones.” 

Here are more details on today’s StreetsPAC endorsees:

Margaret Chin, Council District 1, Manhattan (Incumbent) – Chin has been fighting for safe and livable streets in Lower Manhattan.  Chin wants to work closely with Sam Schwartz to advance his Move NY equitable transportation formula, which would implement fair pricing throughout the city and support better transportation infrastructure.  Chin submitted an application to implement a Neighborhood Slow Zone in Battery Park City, and will fight for similar improvements on the Lower East Side.

Vanessa Gibson, Council District 16, Bronx (Open Seat) – Gibson was elected to the NY State Assembly in 2009, and was a fierce proponent of the successful effort in Albany this year to bring speed cameras to NYC.  She also supports a host of district-wide safety measures, such as countdown clocks, speed bumps, and increased enforcement in both residential and commercial areas.  She sees Slow Zones as a way to reduce speeding and believes new public plazas will enhance neighborhood connectivity.  She'll also be working to make the new Webster Avenue Select Bus Service a success and is very excited about the re-opening of the High Bridge bike and pedestrian connection to Upper Manhattan. 

Stephen Levin, Council District 33, Brooklyn (Incumbent) – Levin has established a reputation as one of the City Council's staunchest advocates for safe and livable streets.  He has introduced legislation to expand the size of the NYPD's Collision Investigation Squad, pushed for traffic calming on some of Brooklyn's most dangerous streets, and championed Brooklyn's first Neighborhood Slow Zone, in Boerum Hill.  One of the Council’s first Citi Bike annual members, he recently launched a petition calling on the city to expand the bike-sharing system to Greenpoint.  Levin is committed to leading the effort to transform Jay Street, a critical but dysfunctional pedestrian, transit and cycling corridor that runs through his district, into a model complete-street that safely serves the needs of all users.

Mark Weprin, Council District 23, Queens (Incumbent) – Weprin wants to see car-dependent Eastern Queens become much more accessible via transit.  He wants the neighborhoods in his district to flourish with livable streets for all, and as a father, he seeks the peace of mind that his teenage son will be able to safely ride his bicycle to the subway or Long Island Railroad.  To help achieve this vision, Weprin will champion legislation in the city council to ensure serious consequences for drivers who, through their own negligence, hop curbs and strike pedestrians on sidewalks.  He’ll also call for the expansion of bike share, and seeks to bring 20 MPH Neighborhood Slow Zones to his Council district.

For more information, and to sign up for volunteer opportunities this election season, click here to get involved with StreetsPAC.