Courtesy of DOT
By Forum Staff
City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez was joined on Monday in Times Square by community partners, advocates, and elected officials to announce programming for the largest-ever celebration of Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day – an annual event hosted by DOT to promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and more sustainable modes of transportation. This year’s celebration, to be held on Saturday, April 22, will include seven signature event locations and 23 community produced locations featuring programming that includes performances, fitness trainings, giveaways, and educational activities.
“Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day is about encouraging New Yorkers to leave their vehicles at home and enjoying our city’s parks, plazas, and expanded network of Open Streets,” said Rodriguez. “This celebration offers an opportunity to get outdoors and enjoy activities at dozens of locations in communities around New York City. It also serves as a reminder that we only have one planet—and we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and pay homage to the one beautiful planet we have.”
Through the support of Lyft, on Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours. Riders can take advantage of the offer by using the promo code CARFREE23 in the Citi Bike app.
First launched in 2016, Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day originally converted select Manhattan streets into public plazas and car-free streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses. The event has since expanded to include 30 locations located throughout the five boroughs, connecting over 80 open streets, plazas, and accessing over 1,000 miles of New York City’s bike network.
Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day kicks off NYC DOT’s 2023 Open Streets and Public Space Programming season. In 2023, NYC DOT is excited to work alongside community partners to execute Open Streets and programming in all five boroughs. The first set of 2023 Open Streets and Public Space Programming events will be announced on Earth Day, with more sites and events to be announced later in the year. This season includes support for partners through the Public Space Equity Program, more formal infrastructure reflecting Open Street operations (e.g. parking regulation changes), and permanent changes to the streetscape at successful Open Streets sites.
Signature Car-Free Earth Day Queens event locations:
Woodside Avenue
Open Streets Partner: Thai Community USA
Route: 76th Street to 79th Street
Programming Highlights: Horticultural Society of New York, Queensboro Dance, 511 Rideshare, Zing! For Kids, Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Metro Plus Health, NYCDOT, Mayor’s Office of Public Engagement, Civic Engagement Commission, DSNY Compost.
Additional Open Street Locations can be found at nyc.gov/carfreenyc.
“Car Free Earth Day is a commitment to creating safer streets and a reminder of the public spaces our city has to offer,” said City Councilman Shekar Krishnan (D-Jackson Heights). “As the Open Streets in my district show, pedestrianized streets are safe streets. Car Free spaces are vital to protecting our children from car crashes and climate change.”
