Half Of NYC 'Open Streets' Abandoned By City: Study

NEW YORK CITY — The city's ambitious "Open Streets" program surrendered more than half its roadways to cars, rather than to pedestrians and cyclists, a new study found.

The study released Tuesday by Transportation Alternatives paints a grim picture of where the initiative stands on Mayor Bill de Blasio's goal of 100 miles of car-free streets.

Just 24 miles of Open Streets are currently operational, the study found. And just one in five New Yorkers live within walking distance of an active Open Street, with most of those in predominantly white neighborhoods.

"Only 46% of listed Open Streets are actually active," the study states.

Open Streets began during the coronavirus pandemic's early days as a way for cooped-up New Yorkers to get outside and safely socially distance. De Blasio was initially cool on the idea, but eventually enthusiastically embraced it proved popular with New Yorkers.

But conflicts grew over some barricaded streets as the program expanded. Neighborhood Open Streets are largely run by local volunteers, and many asked the city for help and resources.

Where Transportation Alternative stands on the issue should be clear from the study's title — "Open Streets Forever: The Case For Permanent 24/7 Open Streets."

But the study compiled by surveys done by 350 volunteers across every Open Street provides potentially compelling arguments for a program de Blasio has said should be permanent.

Polling showed broad support among New Yorkers for closing streets to cars and stronger support for turning Broadway to be a permanent Open Street. And cyclist injuries dropped 17 percent on Open Streets despite a citywide increase, according to the study.

The study's volunteers also found the Bronx and Queens have a disproportionate number of non-operational Open Streets.

“This report makes one thing clear: New Yorkers love Open Streets, and they want to see them succeed,” said Danny Harris, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, in a statement. “However, Mayor de Blasio has broken his promise to expand the program equitably. All communities deserve Open Streets and the health, climate, and safety benefits they provide."

Read the full study here.