Manhattan to Enjoy 6.9 Mile Temporary Car-Free Route
by Sami Grover, Carrboro, NC, USA on 06.19.08
Mayor Bloomberg Emulates Bogota's Ciclovia
While the Mayor of New York Michael Bloomberg may have failed to get his plans for a congestion charge approved, he’s not stopping the fight for liveable streets just yet. His latest plan is to create a temporary 6.9 mile car-free route from Brooklyn Bridge to 72nd Street with connections to Central Park and other open spaces. The project is entitled Summer Streets, and will run from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. on three consecutive Saturdays in August, the 9th, 16th and 23rd. The idea is based on the example of Bogota in Colombia, and is sure to get 1000s of eager bikers, walkers and other human-powered transport enthusiasts on the streets:
“"We anticipate that hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers and visitors will take advantage of streets temporarily opened for recreation," said Mayor Bloomberg. "We hope the Summer Streets experiment will become as much a part of the New York experience as strolling the Coney Island boardwalk, participating in the 5-borough bike tour, or listening to the Philharmonic in the park.”
We're delighted to see Bloomberg continuing to work towards a cleaner, greener and more pleasant Manhattan. While temporary street closures are no answer to long term congestion in themselves, such cultural events can help citizens reimagine their surroundings and engage with the multiple benefits of reduced congestion and increased mobility.
More on Liveable Streets from our Friends at StreetFilms
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::NYC.gov::via The Guardian::
Thirsty for more? Check out these related articles:
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- San Francisco May Charge Drivers for Hitting the Streets
- Virtuous Cycle Video Highlights Washington, D.C.'s Cycling Initiatives
- New York City May Implement Tough Bicycle Parking Requirements
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If Bogota and NY can do it - Bristol and London can. C'mon Boris!
Ottawa has been doing this for years (maybe even decades?); every Sunday morning from Victoria Day weekend to Labour Day they close a gorgeous canal-side main thoroughfare. It's fantastically popular, every city should have this sort of thing.
Because US is clueless about this whole pedestrian zone thing.
I lived in Colombia for several years and was completely impressed by both Bogota's and Medellin's efforts at creating public spaces free of cars. Imagine having an avenue dedicated entirely to pedestrians, this is what you'll find on weekends in these cities. Bloomberg is to be lauded for trying to tackle New York's traffic glut, it's a shame this city is so clogged with vehicular traffic. Can't wait to ride car free!
Philadelphia already does this, too.
We, as a society, really need to realize how amazing bicycles are. I have been biking to work for a year and a half now, and I have been biking two and from college for longer.
It is invigorating. It is faster. It is healthy. It is FUN.
FUNNN
Remember, folks. Biking is FUN!
Of all green things that can be done, biking is by far the best. The positives are incredibly dramatic, even for me, a person living in Pittsburgh, which is extremely hilly, has few sidewalks, and an extremely poor biking infrastructure.
If only we can get the rest of the world to see these truths.
Haters, please keep in mind that this sort of thing on this scale is unprecedented in a city of the size and density as New York. This is quite an accomplishment.
Now if only we could get Bloomberg to run for president as an Independent! He would get my vote in a New York minute.
Team Pedalus will be out there riding the latest pedal powered vehicles to promote Human Powered Vehicles!
Wonderful idea Mr. Bloomberg! We hope to see these types of events happen in many others cities around the world!
Thanks for the info Treehugger.com!