A family comes together to help all New Yorkers in the wake of personal tragedy.

The Civic Center Residents Coalition reported on the passing of Stuart Gruskin in June of 2009.

We also reported on the founding of the Gruskin Family Foundation.

photo : Gothamist, Krista Ciminera

Sadly cycling blogs and bike lane advocates didn't acknowledge the passing of Mr. Gruskin, that is until his wife Nancy Gruskin turned personal tragedy into her mission - to make sure this kind of thing doesn't happen to more New Yorkers. Stuart Gruskin was struck by a cyclist going the wrong way, with no bell, no brakes, and no helmut. The cyclist worked for a catering company who, after the accident, settled with the Gruskins out of court.

Nancy Gruskin is nearly impossible to ignore these days, she initiated a dialog with Commissioner of Transportation Janette Sadik-Kahn shortly after the cyclist hit and killed her husband in 2009, to start teaching delivery men and women to be more responsible cyclists and to make sure the City was up to enforce the laws regarding safe cycling.

Sadik-Kahn, living up to her reputation as a less-than-sensitive bulldozing machine who listens only to those clutching bike helmets when speaking to her, sent a form letter response to Gruskin's request for a meeting addressed to Gruskin's late husband Stuart. The faux pas got some press, and the Commish was forced to make up for it with a meeting, who knows if she would have met with Gruskin had the snafu not occurred? City leaders have commented that they can't even get a phone call returned by Sadik-Kahn, others have been on the receiving end of a shout-fest instead of a conversation. We're sure The Great Kahn was minding her manners when confronted with a real life hero like Nancy Gruskin.

So here's three cheers for Nancy Gruskin - A NY'er of the week on NY1 News. &left;--- click here to see the video of Nancy's interview.

Cause for celebration - really? - REPOSTED

The building of the Manhattan Bridge a century ago.

THIS WAS ORIGN. POSTED in March

Tipsters inform CCRC that Sam Schwartz, better known as "Gridlock Sam" is scrounging for dough on the Chinatown side of the Manhattan Bridge. He's looking for funds to support the centennial celebrations for the Manhattan Bridge scheduled for Summer of 2009.
The news has already angered families of the victims of vehicular fatalities at the entrance of the Manhattan Bridge at Canal St. and Bowery. Celebrations are premature despite the bridge's birthday they say, so long as the extremely dangerous intersection at Canal and Bowery remains a death trap. So far in the past 10 months at least 5 deaths have resulted from car accidents at the entrance to the Bridge.
Where was Sam when Chinatown advocates were screaming at the DOT for signage, and added measures to slow traffic coming off the Bridge, in the last several years? It's a slap in the face of the victims and the pedestrian safety advocates in Chinatown.
News media in Chinatown have been reporting on grassroots pedestrian advocacy spawned from within Chinatown for years, yet there is no additional signage and no traffic calming measures for the intersection. As of yet there are NO PLANS TO ADDRESS this very dangerous intersection, just celebration.

Participants who wish to celebrate at the location of the deaths of five Chinatown individuals can contact Sam Schwartz who is currently soliciting funds from Chinatown. The Chinatown Community Benevolent Association, with president Justin Yu at the helm, may also be contacted. Be sure to wear your party hat.
Let them know that you would like to participate in the celebrations while families in Chinatown continue to mourn the violent deaths of their family members. Let Sam and CCBA know that you will be sipping champagne and posing for photos along with them, while you ignore the danger that persists at the entrance of the Bridge.