The DOT's 4th annual Summer Streets initiative—which clears nearly seven miles of Manhattan streets of cars for 3 consecutive Saturdays—began today at 7 a.m. and ended at 1 p.m. Photographic evidence doesn't appear to confirm the theory that it's a "bikes-only affair." In fact, there were plenty of non-terrorists enjoying horn-free thoroughfares and pop-up sandboxes. Summer Streets will return next Saturday. more ›

Yesterday was a gorgeous day to kick off the 2009's season of Summer Streets, the three-Saturday event that closes down a 6.9 mile stretch of roads—along Park Avenue and other connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park—to vehicular traffic. As part of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the New York, the Dutch consulate's NY400 celebration has 150 orange bikes that bicyclists can rent for free—there's even a photo competition for people to enter and win one of the bikes (details here). more ›