City Considers Central Park Car Ban

The new commissioner of the Department of Transportation won the hearts of not just bicyclists but other people who love Central Park the other day: Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told Streetsblog that she was considering a car-free Central Park trial this summer. (It sounds like transverse traffic will remain.)

The Sun calls this a departure from "predecessor, Iris Weinshall, who had vetoed a similar plan arguing that closing the park's roadway loop to motorists would worsen congestion and pollution" in the city. Of course, that didn't factor in injuries to parkgoers. The ban would be in place 24/7

Streetsblog also has a transcript of Sadik-Khan's remarks, including the fun fact that the Williamsburg Bridge is the most popular bridge to bike over with 2,600 riders every day. And last fall, the city reopened the Central Park loop to cars as part of the "traffic mitigation plan" during the holiday season; we bet this fall, the plan will be to get more holiday visitors to use mass transit in keeping with the mayor's green ideas.

Photograph of (from left) DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, Brooklyn Borough Marty Markowitz, and Transportation Alternatives' Noah Budnick during the Tour de Brooklyn from Streetsblog

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By Jen Chung in News on June 5, 2007 10:10 AM

Comments [rss]

jonas

did someone say something? i have my guest view disabled...

guest

OK so if we decide not to register with Gothamist were labeled "Lame" huh ? So eighties, Soooo Pre-teenishly slow ! But I guess I'm "Lame" . Signed by; "Still Not Amused"

guest

Cars have no business in the park in the first place . Unless it's for transport, & that pertains too visiting the park land .

guest

This shouldn't be seen as only a good thing for bicyclists, but also for runners, walkers, and anyone who spends most of their summer days off in the park. For anyone who can't afford a summer share, this is a good thing...if it happens.

guest

[5] It is a Kryptonite chain, silly. So that he can lock up his bike later.

guest

That's a good idea. That way they can focus their biker busting cop efforts in one location. Saves the cops a lot of time tramping around the city.

Dave Hogarty

[3] True, but at the time crosstown traffic consisted of horse-drawn carriages. And I don't think anybody has seriously proposed closing the transverses anyway.

guest

sleeved bike chain (lock).

guest

what the hell is going on with that red shirted guys midsection? boxers? a hernia? New hipster style combined with old school hiphop? someone decode please.

Tim N.

Cautiously optimistic, Ms. Janette. Now maybe some resident-permit parking and a bike lane on Fort Hamilton Parkway and you will truly win my heart, you hottie!

'Course, standing next to Mad Marty in biker wear will make anyone look hot.