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NYC Adding "Huge Expansion" Of 23 More Miles Of Open Streets, Including 9 Miles Of Protected Bike Lanes
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 24, 2020
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Scott Lynch/Gothamist
By
Ben Yakas
Published Jun 24, 2020
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It's been over a month since the last major announcement about the city's open streets program, a major effort to allow New Yorkers to get some fresh air while social distancing during the pandemic. As of May 22nd, the city had opened up over 40 miles of streets to pedestrians throughout the five boroughs—but today, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced that the city will restrict motorists from 23 more miles of open streets, including nine miles of temporary protected bike lanes, bringing the total amount of open streets in NYC to about 67 miles, the most in the country.
"We had to find a way to make it work, it is working, and it's now a very big deal," the mayor said during his morning press conference on Wednesday. "This is going to be great for people looking for a break this summer with all the things going on, a place for kids to exercise and run around. It's growing, and we're going to keep adding to it."
In a press release, the city said they are prioritizing the most "heat burdened communities" with plans to designate certain open streets as “Cool Streets.” They will open up blocks with tree-based shade and hydrants as part of DEP’s Cool Hydrant and spray cap program. The first set of those “Cool Streets will be announced in the coming days. De Blasio also mentioned during the press conference that open streets will connect with the outdoor restaurants initiative, and there would be more information about that in the coming days as well.
The new open streets, which will be located in every borough, will be operated by all different kinds of models, includes 9.29 miles operated by police precincts, 3.15 miles operated by local civic operations and Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), and 1.10 miles in areas around parks. You can see the specific neighborhoods and streets in the slides below.
It's important to note that while the streets operated by local precincts are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the most part, the streets managed by BIDs and other local groups sometimes are only open at certain times or days. Check the websites of the individual local groups for more information on that.
NYC Mayor's Office
NYC Mayor's Office
NYC Mayor's Office
NYC Mayor's Office
NYC Mayor's Office
The nine new miles of bike lanes, like the first nine miles announced in May, will be phased in over the course of the summer using "markings, barrels, signage, and other barriers, with the goal of implementing both permanent and temporary projects along critical connectors from already-established protected lanes." The Department of Transportation will also be implementing new Green Wave signal timing changes on DeKalb and Lafayette Avenues in Brooklyn, in addition to existing Green Wave corridors to help speed bike commutes.
NYC Mayor's Office
De Blasio also announced today that NYC's beaches will open July 1st for swimming.
An initial pilot program with a handful of open streets at the end of March was canceled after less than two weeks because of the city's concerns about NYPD resources being diverted to policing the spaces. Safe street activists pointed to other major cities which had launched their own open streets programs as examples of why and how New York could do it as well. The City Council then introduced a bill that would open up to 75 miles of streets for recreation; the NYPD and DOT argued it wasn't safe or feasible.
A week after that, de Blasio changed his mind, announcing that the city would open at least 40 miles of streets as we enter the summer, with the goal of opening 100 miles total. For the first wave of the program, seven miles of streets opened on May 2nd, with the majority located inside city parks. For the second wave, another two miles were opened in downtown Manhattan, Downtown Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens. For the third wave, the amount of streets was more than doubled, with 12 miles of open streets and 9 miles of protected bike lanes added. And in the fourth wave at the end of May, with the NYPD's ranks back at full, pre-pandemic capacity, another 13 miles were announced.
However, some locals have complained that the open streets have not been properly maintained, with wooden barricades broken and no enforcement or officer in sight.
Tagged
social distancing
COVID-19
coronavirus
mayor bill de blasio
open streets
Ben Yakas
Ben Yakas is a former Gothamist reporter.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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