Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

City Crowdsourcing Tool Could Help Cyclists During Snowy Commutes

The city's snow response map, a live version of which is available here. The green triangles represent clear streets and the blue squares unplowed streets.
The city's snow response map, a live version of which is available here. The green triangles represent clear streets and the blue squares unplowed streets.

The weather's given New York City a lot of opportunities to experiment with new responses to snow in the wake of the post-Christmas blizzard.

One potentially exciting new tool is a city attempt to crowdsource information about which streets are and aren't clear of snow and ice. It could be a good resource for cyclists to share information about which bike lanes are clear and which remain unusable.

For cyclists, the site isn't perfect. There's no way to note whether park roads and greenways are plowed, only streets. Even so, for yesterday's snow and future storms, it could turn out to be a useful platform for gathering and distributing info.

According to the city's website, the snow conditions map isn't intended for residents to inform the city of unplowed streets; use 311 for that. Rather, it's a central site for people to warn others about where they can travel.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Cough, Cough: Adams Administration Hands Largest Ever Idling Law Exemption to NJ Charter Bus Company

Academy Bus Lines requested the exemption — the largest in DEP's history — after receiving more than $500,000 in idling violations. But there is some good news.

December 19, 2025

Pedestrian Killed by Hit-and-Run Driver on Crowded Lowest East Side Street

The driver kept going. EMTs took the badly injured woman to Bellevue Hospital, where she died.

December 19, 2025

NJ Legislature Poised to Pass Victim-Blaming E-Bike Restrictions

An e-bike registration bill is speeding through the New Jersey Legislature after several crashes in which drivers killed young cyclists.

December 19, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Streets Master Plan Edition

Speaker Adrienne Adams explains why she didn't bother holding Mayor Adams accountable for following the law. Plus other news.

December 19, 2025

Streetsblog’s ‘Car-Free Carolers’ Bring the Joy, Mirth and Ho-Ho-Hope to this Holiday Season

Streetsblog's singers are back, belting out their parody classics to make a serious point: New York's roadways don't have to be dangerous places for kids and lungs, but can be joyous spaces for people to walk around, shop, eat or just ... hang out.

December 18, 2025

At Last: Council To Pass Delivery Worker Deactivation Protections

At its final full meeting, the Council is poised to deliver protections to delivery workers.

December 18, 2025
See all posts