Bill Introduced to Relieve Congestion—on Sidewalks

New York City has come a long way since the Giuliani days, when sidewalk barriers were placed at intersections to facilitate turning vehicles, thus prohibiting pedestrians from crossing the street.

2 minute read

October 4, 2016, 8:15 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


New York

Andrew F. Kazmierski / Shutterstock

A bill by city councilman Ydanis Rodriguez "is about reclaiming space for pedestrians and giving them priority over cars," reports Vincent Barone, who covers transportation for amNewYork. It would further the goal of Vision Zero to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries on city streets.

The legislation...would require the city’s Department of Transportation to study and identify the 10 locations with the highest pedestrian volume in the city and develop strategies to improve safety and traffic flow for pedestrians.

“In this city, most New Yorkers rely on public transportation — and we also walk,” said Rodriguez, chair of the Transportation Committee. “It’s important that this is a starting point to look for opportunities to make sidewalks more walkable and safer and make sure the DOT has the data to make that possible.”

A June 30 New York Times piece (posted here by Philip Rojc, contributing editor at Planetizen), described Manhattan sidewalks so crowded that pedestrians had resorted to walking in the streets, despite the danger posed by motor vehicles. 

“Immediately what comes to mind is Seventh Avenue in midtown where we see pedestrians having to walk into the street to get to major transportation hubs,” said Caroline Samponaro, deputy director of Transportation Alternatives. “This sounds like a promising start to address that.”

Support for the bill goes beyond groups that advocate for pedestrians to those who support economic development in Manhattan.

Tim Tompkins, president of the Times Square Alliance and supporter of the legislation, said that from the Crossroads of the World [not to be confused with "America's first outdoor shopping mall" in Los Angeles] he’s noticed a shift in governmental approach to supporting pedestrian growth.

“In the past 10 or 15 years, we’ve seen this focus on pedestrians, which is a way in which the city is evolving positively, whether that’s on 42nd Street or Flushing Avenue.” Tompkins said.

In December 1997, the Giuliani administration undertook "an experiment to ease vehicular gridlock in midtown by blocking off pedestrian crosswalks," reported Andy Newman for The New York Times.

Also on Planetizen:

Wednesday, September 28, 2016 in amNew York

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

42 minutes ago - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

1 hour ago - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

2 hours ago - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.