Open plazas and more foot traffic can be expected throughout the city on Car-Free Earth Day, an annual car-free event hosted by the city Department of Transportation. Sections of certain streets in all five boroughs will be closed to vehicles.
"The best way that we can celebrate and give respect to Mother Earth is not driving when possible," Ydanis Rodríguez, the city Department of Transportation commissioner, said.
What You Need To Know
- Car-Free Earth Day is when certain streets across the five boroughs close to cars
- The one-day event will offer performances, exercise trainings and educational activities
- One business owner says closing so many streets is challenging for them, but worth it to help the planet
- Officials encourage New Yorkers to opt for mass transit, biking or walking on Earth Day
Officials held a news conference Monday to preview what New Yorkers can expect April 22, which is Earth Day. They say this one-day event is expected to be the largest celebration of Car-Free Earth Day since it started in 2016.
“The call we are making for all New Yorkers is to please leave the car parked that day and use public transportation," Rodriguez said.
There will be performances, fitness classes and educational activities in the car-free streets.
Trisha Militano is looking forward to it and is excited to not have to deal with so many vehicles while walking down the street.
"I think it is a good thing. Sometimes, you just need a break. This area is really, really busy and I am pretty sure it can get a little hectic and maybe toxic," Militano said.
Though some New Yorkers think this can be a great opportunity to utilize public space and help the environment, some think it can be disruptive to businesses.
Daniel Abrams the owner of Mermaid Oyster Bar in Times Square on 43rd Street. He thinks Broadway being closed to cars on that day from East 17th Street to West 42nd Street will hurt his business.
"The vendors will have to go through all the side streets, and those will just be jam-packed with Broadway being closed, and deliveries will take a long time and customers will show up late for reservations. Employees will get stuck going through barricades, so I think it will be a bit chaotic, but that's ok," Abrams said.
Abrams says it will be ok because he thinks sustainability is important.
"It may be a little inconvenient, but what is a little bit of inconvenience when you are trying to save the planet?" Abrams said.
On April 22, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides. For more information about which streets are taking part in Car-Free Earth Day, click here.