Traffic Calming: Postcards from London

Judging by recent comments from some local pols, you’d think the addition of pedestrian spaces and bikeways in New York City has somehow thrown our streets out of whack. But what would our streets look like if we really did balance everyone’s needs and made them safe and functional for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists?

In this Streetfilm, you’ll see some of the new street designs in London shopping districts and residential neighborhoods. In many cases, these traffic calming treatments — including raised crosswalks, traffic diverters, and chicanes — go further than what we’ve seen in New York City so far. The attention to detail has created a truly balanced street environment, enhancing safety for pedestrians and cyclists while maintaining access for the trucks and cars that need to use the road.