East Village's Avenue B Gets New Pedestrian Space, Bike Safety Upgrades

NEW YORK CITY — The Mamdani administration has completed a redesign of the Avenue B Open Street in the East Village, adding expanded pedestrian space, cycling improvements and safety upgrades along the corridor from East Fourth Street to East 14th Street.

The project builds on the existing Open Street near Tompkins Square Park and several schools, with redesigned intersections, new loading zones and changes to vehicle traffic patterns intended to reduce traffic volumes and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists.

From East Seventh Street to East 10th Street, vehicle traffic has been converted to one-way northbound travel, while emergency vehicles and city service vehicles can still access the corridor.

“Our streets belong to all New Yorkers, and with the completion of the Avenue B Open Street, we are giving more public space back to the people of our city to bike, walk and enjoy,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “This permanent redesign will expand pedestrian space, provide much-needed cycling improvements and make the entire area safer for everyone.”

Every intersection in the project area now features pedestrian curb extensions protected by planters, bike corrals, granite blocks or other elements.

The extensions create additional public space, shorten pedestrian crossing distances and improve visibility between pedestrians and other road users. Loading zones at the beginning and end of each block are intended to reduce large truck traffic, while vans may still access the corridor for deliveries and loading.

Avenue B Open Street hours remain 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily.

NYC DOT is also accepting applications for the 2027 Open Streets season from eligible community organizations, schools, business groups and other partners seeking to transform neighborhood streets into public spaces.

Applications require at least 90 days of review, with deadlines varying by project type and proposed launch date.

More information about the program and applications is available at nyc.gov/openstreets.