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 ›

With the nice weather lasting all weekend, New Yorkers have really been taking advantage of Summer Streets. One eight year old spent the day outside with his dad, and said, “We just biked down from 86th Street and Columbus, then we came back up here, and then we’re going to go swimming." The dumpster pools have been a hit with the city. A professor called his dip "a little chilly but fun and kind of magical," and said, "I have another suggestion for Mayor Bloomberg—hot tubs in the winter." Add in snow tractor rides and hot chocolate stands and you've got yourself Winter Streets! more ›

Summer Streets started today and you can share your photographs of the walking/ biking/ blading/ swimming fun by tagging them "gothamist" on Flickr or emailing them to photos@gothamist.com. But here are a few we found on Twitter—looks like people were really enjoying the dumpster pools! more ›

In case you haven't noticed, it's really nice outside this weekend! And though Summer Streets officially starts today, New Yorkers have been enjoying the weather for months. There are free, outdoor movies in Bryant Park, Riverside Park, Astoria Park and Brooklyn Bridge Park, as well as outdoor yoga classes and concerts all over the city. We've also listed some easily accessible beaches if you feel like escaping the concrete jungle for the day. So even if there isn't a dumpster pool nearby, take a cue from these people, get off the internet and get outside already! more ›

Tomorrow is the start of the city's third annual Summer Streets program where the city 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. And this year, there's a new twist: Dumpster pools! Three pools, which have filtration systems, will be set up near the Grand Central viaduct—and yay, it's going to be beautiful tomorrow! more ›

Next Saturday the third annual Summer Streets initiative will create a 6.9 mile, car-free oasis stretching from the Brooklyn Bridge up Lafayette, Fourth Avenue and Park Avenue to Central Park. For the first time this year, everyone will have a chance to dive into three deluxe versions of those dumpster pools that debuted at a secret Brooklyn location last summer. (Just don't cut your head open like Bill Murray.) Today NYC DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan gave the press a preview of one of the pools in Carroll Gardens, and naturally photographer Katie Sokoler was the first one in, and she reports that the water was cool, clean and refreshing. more ›

For the third year straight, the DOT will create a 6.9 mile, car-free oasis stretching from the Brooklyn Bridge up Lafayette, Fourth Avenue and Park Avenue to Central Park on the first three Saturdays in August. And this year's "Summer Streets" initiative comes turbo-charged: There will be lots more "entertainment" provided by groups including the New York Fringe Festival, AND three of those dumpster pools we all envied last summer when they made their invite-only debut in Brooklyn. 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 ›

Looks like lovely weather for the kick-off to the second annual Summer Streets tomorrow! Starting at 7 a.m., the city will temporarily close Park Avenue and connecting streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park, displacing motor vehicles and welcoming pedestrians, cyclists, joggers, skateboarders and other non-combustion engine participants. Penny farthing, anyone? more ›

As promised, last year's first Summer Streets series, which created a 6.9 mile car-free stretch of Manhattan pavement on three Saturdays in August, will return, despite heated objections from some merchants who said the closings hurt their businesses. Today Russell Simmons and Luis Guzmán joined Mayor Bloomberg, DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, and other officials to formally announce this year's events, which will take place in Manhattan on Saturday August 8th, 15th and 22nd from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Manhattan route will run from the Brooklyn Bridge via Lafayette/Centre Streets, 4th Avenue and Park Avenue up to 72nd street, while major cross-town streets will remain open to vehicles crossing the route. In addition, the Summer Streets program is being expanded to all five boroughs, with smaller stretches in a total of 13 neighborhoods. One such micro-version of Summer Streets, Williamsburg Walks, is already underway and will continue next Saturday and July 11th, unless the teenagers ruin everything with their skateboards! A full list of all the neighborhood Summer Streets events can be perused here, along with all the other free activities presented by the city. more ›

Bike-friendly city Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan told reporters last night that August's street closures in Manhattan will be back next year. The Summer Streets program, which prohibited traffic on a 7-mile stretch from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park on three consecutive Saturdays, was "clearly a hit on Park Ave," Sadik-Khan tells the Daily News. She also says it's "highly likely" Summer Streets will be extended next summer to the other boroughs. While some retailers complained that they lost business from customers who couldn't drive to their locations, cyclists and pedestrians were mostly enthusiastic about the car-free oasis, relishing the chance to play music, dance, and practice yoga in the middle of the street. [Photo Cred.] more ›

The third and final day of Summer Streets was Saturday, and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan tells the Times, “I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews. When I was along the route, most people I talked to wanted it done every weekend in the summer.” But as previously noted, some retailers complained about losing business during the five hours that streets were closed to motor vehicles – particularly "destination" shops like T. Anthony Ltd., a luxury luggage store on Park Avenue. Owner Jack Weiss theorizes that, “If someone is coming to buy luggage, they’re generally going to bring a car.” more ›

This past Saturday was the city's second of three Summer Streets weekends. One of the bigger issues from last week's first try seemed to be that pedestrians and bicyclists weren't as aware of each others' space as they could be. And so the Department of Transportation responded with fast and slow lanes. more ›

Today is the second of three Summer Streets Saturdays, where the city shuts down about seven miles of streets (from the Brooklyn Bridge to to 72nd Street and Park) for people to bike, stroll, and participate in activities along the way. After last weekend's first try, most of our readers (66%) think it's a terrific program--see some of the great photos here--while 23% think it could be better with some tweaking--perhaps more understanding of bicyclists' and pedestrians' space is needed. more ›

The first Summer StreetsSaturday took place over the weekend, with the city barring motor vehicles from 6.9 miles of streets from the Brooklyn Bridge to East 72nd Street and Central Park. Cyclists and pedestrians reveled in the car-free oasis as the vehicular traffic was replaced by music, dance, yoga and other exercise classes from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. But some drivers, retailers and garage owners were less enthused. Mark Barbosa, a manager of Manhattan Cabinetry near East 30th Street, tells the Post that his sales "dipped 50 to 60 percent compared to a typical Saturday," due to the auto ban. Food vendors, on the other hand, were raking it in. more ›

The first Summer Streets Saturday, where the city closed 7 miles of Manhattan streets (between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m.) to create a vehicle-free boulevard for people to stroll, bicycle, and and just enjoy, seems to be a big hit. Of course there were complaints from drivers trying to make their way around. more ›

Starting tomorrow, seven miles of streets in Manhattan will be closed to vehicular traffic between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m. for three Saturdays. In the place of cars and trucks, the city is letting people stroll or bike (there's bike sharing)--or take part in many organized activities, like tai-chi, salsa dancing and hopscotch. The program, Summer Streets, will be open from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park along Lafayette Street, 4th Avenue, Park Avenue and 72nd Street. more ›

At a press conference today Mayor Bloomberg showed a surprising command of Jay-Z's music. The pair were on hand to discuss the start of the vehicle-free "Summer Streets" program, per the Observer's Azi Paybarah someone noted how one of the hip-hop mogul's song "describes how his mother taught him to ride a bike at a young age." Bloomberg cut in, "This is from, 'Mother I Made It?'" surprising even Jay-Z, who confirmed the Mayor was right. Bravo, to the staffer who briefed Bloomberg on Jay-Z's discography! You can see video here--Jay-Z says he bikes, but declined to say where, or else the paparazzi would be on his tail. more ›

The city's Summer Streets program, which will transform seven miles of Manhattan streets (from Centre Street to Lafayette Street to Fourth Avenue to Park Avenue, up to East 72nd) into car-free boulevards for three Saturdays, letting people walk, cycle, dance and much more, start this Saturday at 7 a.m. The streets will be vehicle-free until 1 p.m. more ›