Traffic alert: NYC Summer Streets closures as DOT expands car-free zones

This weekend, New York City’s yearly Summer Streets program is turning key boulevards into car-free zones, allowing cyclists, pedestrians, and other non-motorized traffic to enjoy these areas without cars.

This year, the festival will take place along Park Ave. on the Upper East Side on Saturdays, August 10 and August 17, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Harlem, a significant portion of the route between the Brooklyn Bridge and West 125th Street will be off-limits to cars for people who are keen to explore. This comprises:

Lafayette Street and Park Avenue between Brooklyn Bridge and East 109 Street
East 109 Street between Park Avenue and 5th Avenue
5th Avenue between East 109 Street and Central Park North
Central Park North between 5th Avenue and Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard
Adam Clayton Powell Jr Boulevard between Central Park North and West 125 Street

Throughout the event, participants can take advantage of a variety of activities and rest areas.

Free day permits for unlimited 30-minute rides on vintage Citi Bikes will be provided by Citi Bike as part of their support for the event.

Participants should use the promo code CITISUMMER24 on the Daypass page of the Citi Bike app in order to earn a complimentary pass. Rain or shine, the event will go ahead, and NYC DOT’s Instagram and Twitter feeds will provide updates.

An NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) representative stated, “Summer Streets is still growing, and we’re excited to have expanded even further this year with extra operating hours, bringing car-free spaces and diverse programming to all five boroughs.”

Approximately 500,000 New Yorkers took part in the program last year, according to the DOT.

Despite this expansion, the frequency and scope of NYC’s program still fall short of that of other large cities, such as Paris and Mexico City.

Mexico City closes its Paseo de la Reforma (and more) nearly every Sunday, while Paris usually closes the Champs-lys Esto automobiles once a month.

In order to develop more lively public areas across the city, the DOT has stated that it intends to concentrate on growing the Summer Streets and Open Streets programs.

The DOT is currently focusing on expanding pedestrian space and encouraging sustainable urban living, even if there are currently no official plans for additional expansions or new seasons.

In order to preserve access to emergency services during every Summer Streets and Open Streets event, the DOT also works with emergency response agencies.

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