StreetFilm: Room to Breathe
Inspired by a poster produced by Portland's Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) in the mid-1990s, this weekend Transportation Alternatives gathered a gaggle of cyclists on 42nd Street in Manhattan to stage New York's own dramatic illustration of how much street space would be saved if everyone riding an automobile were traveling on a bicycle or bus.
12:28 PM EDT on April 2, 2007
Room to Breathe
A StreetFilm by Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Running Time: 3 minutes 41 seconds
Inspired by a poster produced by Portland’s Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA) in the mid-1990s, this weekend Transportation Alternatives gathered a gaggle of cyclists on 42nd Street in Manhattan to stage New York’s own dramatic illustration of how much street space would be saved if everyone riding an automobile were traveling on a bicycle or bus.
This StreetFilm gives a behind-the-scenes look at how the event was staged and lets the participants speak about what brought them to the Livable Streets movement. T.A. aims to have the poster available by Summer 2007.
Sarah Goodyear is a journalist and author who has covered cities and transportation for publications such as Grist, CityLab, and Streetsblog.
Read More:
More from Streetsblog New York City
Dangerous Drivers At ‘Trunk-Or-Treat’ Show How Cars Are A Horror For Kids All Year Long
Halloween is scary fun for kids — the other 364 days of the year are just scary. And that's why Trunk-or-Treat isn't a half-bad idea!
October 30, 2026
An Interview with the Biggest Cycling Club in New York City
Streetsblog chatted with five members of the New York Cycle Club about Central Park.
October 30, 2026
Our Central Park Wishlist: Perimeter and Transverse Bike Lanes, Fewer Cars and — Yes — Some Speed Limits
What is to be done in the city's most-famous park? We offer some concrete ideas.
October 30, 2026
Friday’s Headlines: Streetsfilms Meets the War on Cars Edition
Tickets are still on sale to see the War on Cars Podcast live and Clarence Eckerson's "Close Encounters of the 34th Avenue Kind" in one night. Plus the news.
October 30, 2026
Mayor Mamdani: Trash Containerization Protects Sanitation Workers
And all it costs is a little less free car storage.
October 29, 2026
