A Day of Learning and Advocacy at TransportationCamp NYC

By Clyve Lawrence

On October 26, I traveled to New York City with three fellow HUUSL members — Gavin, Joaquin, and Miah — for TransportationCamp, an event celebrating its 10th anniversary. Unlike traditional conferences, this was an “unconference,” where participants shape the sessions, leading spontaneous, dynamic discussions. It was an opportunity not only to learn from passionate advocates but also to expand our collective vision for our transportation networks.

We caught an early Ourbus on Saturday morning, packed with other weekend travelers. As we began our day, the conversation naturally turned to the systems we were navigating: Were we on the most efficient route? How did the signage and wayfinding compare between Boston and New York? By the time we stepped off the A train in Brooklyn, we were already in the mindset of transportation advocates, analyzing the infrastructure around us.

Arriving at NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering, we joined a buzzing crowd from cities across the country — Boston, New York, New Jersey, DC, and beyond. Each person enriched our conversations throughout the day.

I started by joining a session on bike-share programs. The facilitator asked the group a thought-provoking question: How do we make these networks accessible to everyone in the community? Reflecting on Boston’s Bluebike system, I shared insights on its affordability and integration compared to New York’s CitiBike, which remains cost-prohibitive for many. 

Boston’s approach, with strong public-private collaboration, has helped ensure the system’s growth. Under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Boston received nearly $22 million to expand the bike-sharing network and install electrified stations. Boston mayor Michelle Wu promoted connectivity by riding some of the first e-bikes in 2023, and she continues negotiating with Lyft on future expansion. We’ve seen the results of this collaboration: Bluebikes reached an incredible milestone of 25 million rides in October. I offered this success story at TransportationCamp as a model worth considering for other regions.

After lunch, Miah and I joined a session on the long history of New York City’s congestion pricing fight. Over more than a century, this policy has evolved through the influence of figures like Robert Moses and Nelson Rockefeller, right up to present-day leaders like Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul. 

It was eye-opening to see how deeply rooted these challenges are and how much work remains. One speaker shared how community advocates have fought for decades, often against significant opposition, to push congestion pricing forward. Their resilience reminded me of our ongoing efforts in Cambridge, where we face similar resistance from entrenched leaders. It was a powerful reminder that while the path is rarely straightforward, the shared stories and strategies across cities strengthen our collective push for sustainable transit solutions.

Later in the day, I had the chance to lead my own session: “Putting Mobility on the Ballot.” I connected issues in the 2024 presidential election, like abortion and immigration, to the broader concept of mobility justice. My argument was simple but powerful: mobility isn’t just about transportation — it’s about dignity and safety in how we move through our cities. As I shared this goal, attendees raised questions about how mobility intersects with housing and economic opportunities. We agreed that movement is a foundational right that impacts every aspect of our lives and deserves a central place in our political discourse. 

By the end of the day, I left TransportationCamp feeling inspired and energized. The conversations I had, the perspectives I heard, and the people I met were valuable. I will take these tools back to Harvard and use them in my ongoing efforts to push for better, more just transportation solutions in our communities.