Car-Free Parks

File Under: No Wonder New York City is Falling Behind London

While New York City inexplicably continues to open up Central Park to motor vehicles from Thanksgiving to New Year's as a "holiday traffic mitigation," London transformed its most popular shopping area this weekend into a car-free pedestrian zone for holiday shoppers and visitors. Stretches of Oxford and Regents Streets were made into car-free zones this Saturday, December 2 from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to transform Oxford Street into a permanent pedestrian zone with light rail running down the middle. This weekend's event was set up as a test. This London reports:

By Aaron Naparstek

7:00 AM EST on December 5, 2006

While New York City inexplicably continues to open up Central Park to motor vehicles from Thanksgiving to New Year’s as a “holiday traffic mitigation,” London transformed its most popular shopping area this weekend into a car-free pedestrian zone for holiday shoppers and visitors. Stretches of Oxford and Regents Streets were made into car-free zones this Saturday, December 2 from 10:30 am to 5:00 pm. Mayor Ken Livingstone wants to transform Oxford Street into a permanent pedestrian zone with light rail running down the middle. This weekend’s event was set up as a test. This London reports:

Mark Taylor, manager of Boots in Oxford Street, said: “I’ve been in retail for 15 years and Saturday was one of the best days in retailing I can ever remember. “The West End was completely buzzing. It would be impossible to get rid of transport in Oxford Street altogether, so I think a tram would be an excellent middle ground.” Jace Tyrell, of the New West End Company, which organised the event and aims to boost trade in the area, said: “It shows what Oxford Street could achieve if it was treated as a destination and not as a thoroughfare.”

Note to Mayor Bloomberg and Senator Schumer: The Sarbanes-Oxley Act isn’t the only reason why London is overtaking New York City.

Note to the 34th Street Partnership and the Times Square Alliance: Hello?! What are you guys waiting for? You don’t have to look far for help.

Note to Gwyneth Paltrow: I’m sad to say it but New York City’s leadership appears to be proving you right.

Aaron Naparstek

Aaron Naparstek is the founder and former editor-in-chief of Streetsblog. Based in Brooklyn, New York, Naparstek's journalism, advocacy and community organizing work has been instrumental in growing the bicycle network, removing motor vehicles from parks, and developing new public plazas, car-free streets and life-saving traffic-calming measures across all five boroughs. He was also one of the original cast members of the "War on Cars" podcast. You can find more of his work on his website.

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