City cyclist and graphic designer Marko Bon is working to get a logo like this one added to taxi video screens as part of the "Taxicab Passenger Enhancement Program." Bon tells Streetsblog that the Taxi and Limousine Commission has shown interest in the design, which he hopes can be incorporated in a way that will draw passengers' attention. Info stickers have included anti-dooring messages, designed by Transportation Alternatives, for years, but video PSAs got lost in the shuffle when making their "Taxi TV" debut in 2003.

Bon is looking for design feedback from Streetsbloggers. (An alternate version of the graphic is posted on Flickr.) After the jump, a mock-up of Bon's design as it might look on today's taxicab screens.

Join Deborah Marton, Executive Director of the Design Trust for Public Space, for a dynamic conversation exploring the intersection of design, innovation, sustainability, and accessibility in New York's public realm. From bicycle-friendly streets and redesigned taxis to blossoming arts and cultural neighborhoods, this is your chance to speak with the experts about the latest projects and innovations shaping our lives. Panelists include: Ryan Russo, Director of the Bike and Pedestrian Planning Unit of NYC Department of Transportation; Andrew Salkin, First Deputy Commissioner, NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission; Davin Stowell, CEO and founder of Smart Design; Susan Chin, FAIA, Assistant Commissioner, Capital Projects, NYC Department of Cultural Affairs; and Mary Ceruti, Executive Director, Long Island City Sculpture Center.

The event kicks off at 6:30 p.m. tomorrow, 1220 Fifth Avenue at 104th Street. General admission is $9, but to get in free, make an advance reservation by calling (212) 534-1672, ext. 3395.

From Transportation Alternatives: 

Transportation Alternatives is proud to be part of New York City's first citywide education campaign targeting cyclists and motorists, which will be officially launched later today. Developed pro bono by international advertising agency Publicis in the West (Seattle) and installed by the City of New York, the ads on bus shelters, buses, taxi tops and phone kiosks will urge drivers and cyclists to "Look" for one another and to share the road.

The citywide awareness campaign was sparked by the tragic death of Liz Byrne, a city cyclist who was struck and killed by a truck in September 2005. Liz was a longtime NYC bike rider and freelancer who worked with Publicis' NYC office. Her tragic death motivated her sister and colleagues from Publicis to contact Transportation Alternatives in October 2005 and offer their pro bono services on a massive safety and education campaign. At the same time, the newly released Bike Safety Action Plan, authored by Transportation Alternatives and the NYC Bicycle Coalition, called for several strong initiatives to improve city cycling and demanded the City:

"With guidance from experienced street safety advocates, develop and implement a Public Awareness Campaign to curb dangerous driving and educate drivers about cyclists' rights to the streets."

"Look" represents a collaboration between T.A., the New York City Bicycle Coalition, the City Departments of Transportation, Health and Police, the NYC Taxi and Limousine Commission and the Office of the Public Advocate.

T.A. and the NYC Bicycle Coalition continue to press the City to implement the entire Bike Safety Action Plan, including more aggressive enforcement of illegal driving and developing stronger bike lane designs.

With an unknown number of cab drivers on strike as of 5 a.m. today, a sense of mild annoyance has gripped the city.

City Room reports:

At Kennedy International Airport, dispatchers said there were fewer yellow cabs than normal in the morning. Around 7 a.m., about 50 airline passengers waited outside Terminal 9 for a cab and were told that the wait could be as long as half an hour. Joshua Olken, 29, a consultant from Boston who had an 8 a.m. meeting in Midtown, was on the line around 7:30 a.m. “It’s not usually this long,” he said of the line. “Usually there are a lot more cabs than this. I should have taken the train.”

At Pennsylvania Station, the strike appeared to be having an effect. Lines for cabs gathered sporadically around Seventh Avenue. The lines were gradually dispersed when a few yellow cabs came to pick up passengers, but several regular commuters said the wait was twice as long as usual.

How has the Taxi Strike of '07 affected you?

Photo: LarimdaME/Flickr