Idle-Free NYC

Anti-Idling Citizen Action- 5/11/09 NYC, Midtown West

AFSZ staff — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:41:00 GMT

Anti-Idling Citizen Action - Monday, May 11, 2009, in NYC, Midtown West.

Citizens take to the streets to stop engine idling in their neighborhood

What: School playground rally followed by street intervention. Politicians, community groups, concerned citizens and school children are mobilizing to stop unnecessary engine idling by black cars in midtown west where it is and has been out-of-control.

When: This Monday, 5.11.09, at 3 PM

Where: PS 111 playground, 52nd street between 9th and 10th avenue.

Why is this important?

1) The new one-minute NYC school zone law goes into effect Monday on 5/11/09.

<http://www.mywire.com/a/AP/Tough-New-York-City-law/9088490?&pbl=252>

2) The American Lung State of the Air report gives NYC failing grades for air quality.

<http://www.alany.org/atf/cf/{3ADABC12-D6E0-407C-9464-9209C6DB0D0E}/SOTA%202009%20Report%20-%20NYS.pdf>

3) Our new NYS Senator Daniel Squadron has just introduced a tough anti-idling bill at the state level.
<http://www.afsz.org/Images/squadron_bill.gif>

Idle-Free NYC Press Conference (5/5/09) Press Release

AFSZ staff — Sun, 10 May 2009 17:29:00 GMT

MAY 5, 2009: IDLE-FREE NYC DAY

YouTube- Press Conference

Educators, Advocates and Students Celebrate Citywide Efforts to Curb Engine Idling

New York, NY, May 5, 2009—New Yorkers gathered on the steps of City Hall today to share the many extraordinary efforts this past year to clean the air in the City. As the first American city to enact a one-minute idling law, New York celebrated its awareness-raising campaigns and issued a warning to engine-idlers in school zones.

Idle-Free NYC (I-FNYC) is a multi-channel campaign spearheaded by Asthma Free School Zone and carried out by a broad coalition of City agencies, health and environmental organizations, businesses, schools, and concerned individuals. Efforts range from institutional policy changes, installation of fleet anti-idling technology, employee trainings, neighborhood stop-idling interventions, the introduction of idling and air quality lesson plans, and school art contests. I-FNYC campaign messaging can be found on interior and exterior MTA bus posters, cup sleeves, electronic highway signs, Con Ed customer inserts and countless flyers on school and community bulletin boards.

REBECCA KALIN, Director of the Asthma Free School Zone, explained, "Once upon a time, not so long ago, New Yorkers did not understand the word ‘idling’. Today, all across the City, New Yorkers are taking bold and innovative steps to stop idling where they live and work. To name a few: Companies such Green Apple Cleaners and Fresh Direct are installing anti-idling equipment; Con Edison is integrating ‘clean diesel’ technologies and presenting the Idle-Free NYC campaign company-wide. Zip Car is providing idling information to customers; NYC PS 166 (MN) is producing a school-wide Idle-Free NYC campaign; PS 111 (MN) is partnering with two local CBOs to hold a stop-idling street intervention; a group of concerned citizens, Our Streets Our Lives, have teamed with NYC DEP to stop idling tour buses in their neighborhood. There is a lot to celebrate and there is still a lot of to do. The education must continue. The key to changing idling behavior is understanding idling issues.”

Councilmember JOHN C. LIU (D-Queens), Chairperson of the City Council Transportation Committee and lead sponsor of the new school zone idling law signed into law on January 28, 2009, stated: "The new law is not intended to simply reduce idling time from three minutes to one minute; it is intended to improve public awareness and behavior around our schools by essentially requiring that engines be shut off right away instead of being kept on for a few minutes. Especially around schools, but also anywhere in our congested city for that matter, engines simply should not be kept running for any length of time. For the sake of everyone’s lungs, just shut it off."

“The American Lung Association’s 2009 State of the Air report gave F’s to four of the five boroughs, detailing the incredibly toxic air that New York City residents are breathing,” said MICHAEL SEILBACK, Vice President of Public Policy & Communications with the American Lung Association in New York (ALA-NY). “Reducing the number of idling engines is a simple step toward reducing the toxins that our children breathe.”

According to the ALA-NY's State of the Air report issued last week, the failing grade for New York City was for having poor air quality, as determined by levels of ozone, short-term particulate pollution, and long-term particulate pollution. Given that approximately 171,000 children in the city suffer from asthma, improving air quality is a key step to protecting children’s health and helping them reach their fullest potential.

"We congratulate Asthma Free School Zone for this model win nationwide to protect children from harmful exhaust fumes, including diesel,” said CLAIRE BARNETT, Founder and Executive Director of the Healthy Schools Network. “This will have a major impact on improving air quality inside schools."

"As a new dad, I'm telling every parent I know to bike or walk their kids to school if they can. But if you're dropping off or picking up your child by car, turn that engine off for the sake of all our kids' health," said PAUL STEELY WHITE, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives.

Councilmember ROBERT JACKSON (D-Manhattan), Chairperson of the City Council Education Committee and lead sponsor of the new school zone idling law, stated, “High asthma rates from traffic pollution are a serious problem in my Council District because of the concentration of bus depots in Harlem plus the constant stream of cars and trucks crossing the George Washington Bridge. It is the young and the elderly who are most vulnerable but we all benefit from cleaner air.”

New York State Senator SHIRLEY HUNTLEY (D-BROOKLYN) stated, “On Asthma Awareness Day it is essential that we continue to raise awareness of the adverse impacts of engine idling on those suffering from the respiratory disease. Legislation such as the city’s new

School Zone Idling Law could prevent asthma attacks experienced by hundreds of students citywide.”
New York State Senator DAN SQUADRON (D-Brooklyn) stated, "I have introduced a bill that would improve idling restriction all over New York State, helping to protect air quality for millions of New Yorkers. The City Council has led the way with this valuable legislation -- I now look forward to making sure the state legislature gets moving to improve idling laws all across New York."

The law, which goes into effect on Monday, May 11, 2009, will have far reaching environmental and public health benefits, as it does not just aim to reduce tailpipe emissions, but also includes measures to improve public awareness and behavior around schools, require police accounting of violations issued, and include “idling” in taxi and limousine driver training and licensing.

The new school zone Idling law reduces to one-minute the time allowed for drivers to keep their engines running while parked or standing adjacent to a school. The change is aimed at reducing the prevalence of childhood asthma in New York City, which according to the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is 9%--almost twice that of children nationwide (5%).
According to some sources, the asthma rate in certain areas of the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Manhattan is as high as 24%. At a cost of more than 14 million lost school days per year, this chronic respiratory illness is the #1 health-related reason for absenteeism nationwide.

Councilmember INEZ DICKENS (D-Manhattan) stated, "Idling is harmful to our youth, our seniors. Moreover, idling endangers the health and welfare of all New Yorkers. Gas emissions exacerbate serious, respiratory health conditions such as asthma and emphysema. I am very concerned about these critical respiratory conditions as they affect my community, my children and my seniors."

Councilmember ALAN GERSON (D-Manhattan) stated, “Reducing idling is a win for the environment and an important step in the ongoing battle against asthma, which plagues our city and particularly our children."

Councilmember SARA GONZALEZ (D-Brooklyn) stated, "Representing an area bordering the Gowanus Expressway that suffers from high asthma rates, the Idle-Free NYC campaign is incredibly important to my community and the health of my constituents. I look forward to the time when every day in New York is idle free and will continue to support efforts to make that a reality."

Councilmember LETITIA JAMES (D-Brooklyn) stated, "The Idle-Free NYC Day and campaign is a step in the right direction to help protect school children against harmful, poor air quality, specifically exhaust fumes from idling cars. Given that Brooklyn has extremely high asthma rates, and the childhood asthma rate is nearly twice that in New York City compared to the national average, I’m extremely happy to see everyone here address this crisis."

Councilmember G. OLIVER KOPPELL (D-Bronx) stated, "The reduction of diesel exhaust is critical for New York City. Idling engines are dangerous to public health, exacerbating asthma and respiratory disease, particularly in children, and contributing to global warming. The high incidence of asthma in New York City among young people and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, require that we find ways to reduce diesel exhaust. Cutting back on idling is an important and inexpensive way to do this."

Councilmember ANNABEL PALMA (D-Bronx) stated, "This legislation sends a clear message that our health and our environment are assets that need to be valued and protected. Intro. 631-A is especially important to the Bronx, where asthma rates are prevalent among school children and are the highest in New York State. I am extremely pleased that the Council has set a new standard of responsibility that will produce positive results."

Councilmember ROSIE MENDEZ (D-Manhattan) stated, "In a city where asthma rates are as high 25% among children in many neighborhoods, it is reassuring that this is something very simple that can be done – just turn off your car motor! If all the taxis, buses, trucks and private cars would just stop idling we could all breathe a little easier."

Councilmember DAN GARODNICK (D-Manhattan) stated, “Our schools are ground zero in the fight to protect New Yorkers from the harmful effects of vehicle emissions. We are making important progress in improving our air quality and reducing one of the greatest challenges to a healthy childhood in New York City.”

Councilmember KENDALL STEWART (D-Brooklyn) stated, "Asthma is a disease that has affected many New Yorkers and it is important as legislators we bring awareness to the constituents as to the causes and elements that aggravates it."
Councilmember ELIZABETH CROWLEY (D-Queens) stated, "People all over the City are suffering from poor air quality. This law helps reduce pollution and I applaud my colleagues for making sure idling laws are well known and enforced.”

ERNEST LOGAN, President of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators, stated, "The education of New York City's children is a sacred trust that involves safeguarding their health and safety as well as providing them a strong education. You can't have one without the other. In New York City, and most urban centers, the disease of asthma is a serious menace to the health of our children, especially the poorest among them.”

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Idling and driving in NYC

AFSZ staff — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 21:55:00 GMT

Still idling? Still driving in the City?

This--Sin #3--comes from the blog, "Last Night's Garbage."

"In honor of Earth Day, consider seven deadly sins to avoid, with simple steps to take towards redemption:

3. USING YOUR CAR UNNECESSARILY, ESPECIALLY IN MANHATTAN - Per capita, New York’s greenhouse gas emission levels are fairly low (7 metric tons per person) compared to the national average of nearly 25 metric tons. Though some commuters may argue the point, that’s due to the city’s having one of the fastest and most efficient mass transit systems. Yet there are still too many drivers coming into the city, especially during weekdays, merely for the convenience of it.

Redemption: Walk, bike, take a bus or the subway — anything but your car. “Unless you’re driving a truck or a commercial van for business, commuting by car to Manhattan doesn’t make economic sense, never mind ecological sense,” says Jervey. “It’s so much cheaper and faster to take public transportation than it is to be wasting gas idling in traffic. And if you can put up with the traffic, Manhattan has become increasingly bike-friendly.”

http://www.lastnightsgarbage.com/?p=1160

Idle-free NYC 2009

AFSZ staff — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 02:28:00 GMT

Press Conference
Idle-Free NYC
Tuesday, World Asthma Day

May 5, 2009 @ 10am
City Hall Steps
New York City

Unnecessary idling harms health, hurts air quality, wastes fuel and is against the law.

Look for bus posters, bus cards and cup sleeves carrying the i-fnyc message. Everyone can do something to help stop idling. What will you do? Having trouble deciding? Check the Idle-free website or call Asthma Free School Zone at 213-533-6615.

Join us! Come to the press conference. Take a stand along with a broad range of concerned New Yorkers from elected officials who make laws to school children who make posters.

NYC Intro 631

AFSZ staff — Sat, 24 Jan 2009 18:44:00 GMT

Intro 631, sponsored by NYC Councilmember John C. Liu after a 2007 proposal by AFSZ, may be nearing the end of the long legislative road to enactment!

Intro 631 further restricts current NYC Admin Code 24-163, which limits vehicle idling to 3 minutes---and is routinely ignored. Current NYC and NYS legislation related to school zones (also proposed by AFSZ) states that only school buses have an idling limit near schools. Under Intro 631 all vehicles will have a one-minute idling limit near schools. There is also a cool upstream measure to add an idling question to the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission license test.

Here's where you can help:

The final Committee hearings are Monday, January 26, 10 AM at 250 Broadway, NYC, 16th floor. Join us and give your written (written or spoken) about tailpipe pollution!

On Wednesday, January 28th, 9:30-10:00 AM, there will be a rally on NY City Hall steps. Stand with us, hold a sign, wave a banner, speak up for the clean air!

IDFNYC 2009

AFSZ staff — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 12:53:00 GMT

Get ready!

It is time to start planning for IDFNYC 2009. Whether you are an individual, group, school, organization or business there is SOMETHING you can do to stop unnecessary engine idling in NYC.

Stay tuned to the Idle-Free NYC website for ideas, downloads and updates. Let us help you help New York. Contact the AFSZ to brainstorm, ask questions or give thoughts. Join the movement toward cleaner air.

Idle-Free NYC, May 6th, 2008

AFSZ staff — Wed, 07 May 2008 21:44:00 GMT

Children from PS 122, Queens and PS 28, Bronx on City Hall Steps

Idle-Free NYC - Press Conference

AFSZ staff — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 20:54:00 GMT

Get out your dance cards!

The Idle-Free NYC Press Conference will be on May 6, 2008 at 10 AM on the steps of City Hall, at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge. Please come and join us.

- Mr. B

Back to website.

311 and Key Word "idling"

AFSZ staff — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 16:07:00 GMT

Hurray. It has taken a long time. But now, with the help of Kizzy Guzman-Charles at the Mayor's Office, we are finally able to direct New Yorkers with complaints about idling to the 311 Help Line.

The 311 operators have been given the definition of the word, the terms of the existing three-minute NYC idling law and an ability to transfer the call to the Dept. of Environmental Protection where the idling complaint will be recorded.

So, call 311 with your first-hand idling report! Be prepared to answer these questions: where, when and what type of vehicle? Does it appear to be habitual idling? (An ambulance, delivery truck.) Be sure to be able to distinguish between congestion due to heavy traffic, and idling.

And, remember, 311 operators are now on-call all the time: 24/7.

- Rebecca

Schools Preparing for May 6th

AFSZ staff — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:04:00 GMT

Schools can play an important role in spreading the work about Idle-Free NYC.

Because of their high concentration of children, School zones are unique environments that especially need to be protected from environmental hazards. Children are still developing and breathe at a faster rate than adults, and so are more vulnerable to heart and lung diseases, like asthma, caused by toxins in the air. Vehicle exhaust is especially bad for children who are small and closer to the tailpipe.

When children get sick, they can fall behind in school, so we must work together to create a healthy and safe environment for our kids.

Here are a few ideas to make your school healthier:

Work with administrators and parents to host a No-Idling Day at your school
Ask drivers not to idle around your school. Let them know that it is bad for the health of your children.
Talk to your school bus drivers. Make sure they are aware of the law prohibiting school bus idling in school zones (NYS Ed. Law 3637)
Download the idling PowerPoint presentation and teach your school community about idling.
Post signs around your school reminding drivers not to idle while in the school zone.
Order a free bike rack for your school, and encourage older students to bike to school.
Ask for support from your crossing guards and local NYPD in enforcing the no-idling laws around your school.
Download a Stop-Idling Petition that asks Mayor Bloomberg to enforce the 3-minute idling law in NYC. Get signatures from your school community; mail or fax the completed forms to City Hall.

Everyone of us can do something to help reduce idling. Start planning for 5/06/08 now!

- Christina

Individuals Preparing for May 6th

AFSZ staff — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 03:52:00 GMT

Idle-Free NYC is an awareness-raising campaign that aims to inform and mobilize schools, businesses and the general public to stop unnecessary idling in the City. Everyone of us can do something to help reduce idling. Start planning for 5/06/08 now!

Here are a few ideas for individuals.

Hold an idle-free "Dear Mike Bloomberg" party. Ask everyone to bring a funny traffic story. Have lots of pens and paper available for writing letters to City Hall. (What better way to recycle those odds 'n ends stationery?)

Arm yourself with understanding the facts and the laws related to idling. If you drive, don't idle. Download idling information cards* to carry in your wallet and talk (nicely!) to drivers who idle. You will find that most simply do not know about idling (health and environmental effects, and existing laws) and will turn off the engine immediately.

Call 311 to report idling incidents. This is important: 311 operators tare just learning to take idling complaints seriously. We need a significant number of callers to complain about idling. So do it! Make your voice heard.

Order a free bike rack for your block or place of business. Download the application form.* Join Transportation Alternatives if you want to join a team working to make NYC better for bike riders and pedestrians.

Download a Stop-Idling Petition* that asks Mayor Bloomberg to enforce the 3-minute idling law in NYC. Get signatures from your friends and co-workers; mail or fax the completed forms to City Hall.

Download an MP3 of the Clean Air tune* by Pierce Woodward. Send it to your friends when you email them about Idle-Free NYC; use it on your answering machine or as hold music on your phone.

Most importantly--get going! May 6th is coming quickly.

* Return to website. All materials are available on www.idle-free.info.

Welcome

AFSZ staff — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 17:52:00 GMT

Welcome to Idle-Free NYC.

The staff of Asthma Free School Zone welcomes you to our campaign for a cleaner, healthier New York. Over the next several weeks our team will be meeting with all of our partners* to discuss each group’s role in eliminating idling fumes that can worsen and even cause asthma.

We encourage all participants to check www.idle-free.info regularly and post comments: ideas, stories, questions and events you want to share. We hope to create a constructive, creative dialogue among New Yorkers who breathe the same polluted air and have the conviction to do something about it.

Thanks for visiting; we hope to hear from you soon!

The staff of AFSZ

*The Office of the Mayor/Long-term Planning and Sustainability, NYC DOT and DOHMH/Asthma Initiative, the NYC Council, Environmental Defense Fund, the New York Mets and many other concerned community groups.

Return to website