Ben Fried

Ben Fried is the editor-in-chief of Streetsblog. He joined Streetsblog as a New York City reporter in 2008. Today he oversees Streetsblog's family of sites covering stories of significance to the national movement for better walking, biking, and transit.

Ben graduated from Oberlin College with a concentration in architecture, and he holds a Masters in Journalism from Columbia University.

He lives with his wife in Ditmas Park, Brooklyn, and he loves the Mets.

Recent Posts

STREETSBLOG NYC

Central Park Goes Car-Free Forever on June 27

By Ben Fried | Apr 20, 2018

The campaign for a car-free park has lasted more than half century and involved thousands of people. Today's historic announcement by Mayor de Blasio belongs to all of them.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Meet the Oonee Pod, Secure Bike Parking Designed to Be Flexible Enough for NYC

By Ben Fried | Apr 20, 2018

Co-founders Shabazz Stuart and Manuel Mansylla hope the Oonee Pod will become a fixture of New York City's public spaces. They unveiled their prototype Tuesday night.

STREETSBLOG NYC

We’re Hiring! Streetsblog Is Searching for a New Editor to Lead Our Coverage of NYC and National Transportation Policy

By Ben Fried | Apr 12, 2018

If you care about making our transportation system work for people instead of cars, there’s nothing like the Streetsblog editor gig.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Cuomo’s Budget Doesn’t Solve Any of New York’s Transit and Traffic Problems

By Ben Fried | Apr 3, 2018

The "solutions" in the budget are half-measures that won't work, and there's no reason for the pressure on Cuomo to dissipate.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Too Many NYC Reps Did Nothing About the Most Important Transport Initiative in Albany This Year

By Ben Fried | Mar 28, 2018

Don't let Cuomo's lack of effort on congestion pricing overshadow the dismally passive performance of NYC's state representatives.

STREETSBLOG NYC

While Cuomo Sits on the Sidelines, the Assembly’s Joke of a Congestion Pricing Plan Fills the Vacuum

By Ben Fried | Mar 14, 2018

Carl Heastie's Democratic conference has a plan designed to relieve elected officials from sweating out a tough decision.

STREETSBLOG NYC

It’s Way Too Tough to Make Basic Street Safety Fixes in New York — So Let’s Make It Easier

By Ben Fried | Mar 8, 2018

Norms have hardened around the idea that basic street safety changes should be subject to an inscrutable public process full of veto points. We have to change those norms.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Beyond the MetroCard: Faster Buses, Better Access to Commuter Rail, Fairer Fares

By Ben Fried | Feb 28, 2018

Changing the way we pay for transit is about much more than carrying around a new type of farecard.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Do the Math: De Blasio’s “Placard Crackdown” Is Meaningless

By Ben Fried | Feb 23, 2018

Even with a few more fines, placard abuse pays.

STREETSBLOG NYC

NYC’s Still Waiting for a Traffic Reduction Plan From Andrew Cuomo

By Ben Fried | Feb 16, 2018

Cuomo's team seems to be serious about congestion pricing, but every time there’s a chance to commit to a concrete policy, they don’t.

STREETSBLOG NYC

Will Any of New York’s Government Watchdogs Lift a Finger to Control MTA Construction Costs?

By Ben Fried | Feb 1, 2018

Despite the incalculable value of the NYC transit system to the welfare of the city and state, no one in government is racing to solve the MTA's cost problem.

STREETSBLOG NYC

NYC Bus Drivers Want to Get Cars Out of the Way of Transit

By Ben Fried | Jan 26, 2018

The improvements that would speed up trips for NYC bus riders are largely the same changes that would make bus drivers' jobs less stressful and aggravating, according to a survey released today by TWU Local 100.

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