Recent Streetsblog NYC posts about Car-Free Streets

Streetfilms: Car-Free in Curitiba

By Brad Aaron | Jul 7, 2009 | 3 Comments

A key corridor in a large city is cited as a prime spot to replace auto traffic with people-friendly space. Local leaders move on the idea and, once underway, the physical transition comes quickly. Cars are supplanted by street furniture and people. Critics complain, fearing negative impact on area business. If this sounds familiar, it’s […]

Independence Day Special: The Freedom to Sit

By Ben Fried | Jul 2, 2009 | 10 Comments

This was the scene at Herald Square yesterday afternoon. It’s full of people doing what the Times’ Susan Dominus finds so un-New York: sitting down. Some of these loafers are actually putting their feet up, right in the heart of our fast-paced, cutthroat city. It’s like they’ve never even seen The Sweet Smell of Success. […]

Streetfilms: Summer Streets Are Back!

By Elizabeth Press | Jul 1, 2009 | No Comments

Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced this week the return and expansion of the Summer Streets program along with more than 1,500 free events taking place throughout New York City this summer. The mayor was joined by DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who noted that some 50,000 people enjoyed Summer Streets each time it was held last year, […]

Eyes on the Street: First Weekend of Car-Free Summer Streets

By Brad Aaron | Jun 8, 2009 | No Comments

A reader sends in these shots of weekend car-free street activity. Above, the crowd takes in a performance from the Fourth Arts Block "Meet the Street" series on East 4th Street between the Bowery and Second Avenue in Manhattan; below is a scene from the first Saturday of Williamsburg Walks, taken at North 6th and […]

Real New Yorkers Dig the New Times Square

By Ben Fried | Jun 5, 2009 | 6 Comments

We’ve been meaning to post this vid from culture mag ANIMAL New York (h/t Gothamist), which neatly undercuts the argument that the newly pedestrianized Broadway is "only for tourists." Sure, the tourists are grateful not to be jostling for space right next to traffic anymore, but so are lots of people from the five boroughs. […]

Summer Streets Coming to Brooklyn This Weekend

By Brad Aaron | Jun 5, 2009 | 4 Comments

Enjoying car-free Bedford Ave. during Williamsburg Walks 2008. Photo: acsweet/Flickr After today’s rain clears out, it looks to be a beautiful weekend for two Summer Streets events in Brooklyn. Starting tomorrow, Bedford Avenue from North 4th to North 9th Street will be open to pedestrians only on six Saturdays from noon to sunset. This year’s […]

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