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

Friday’s Headlines: Canal Street Follies Edition

Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine isn't happy. Plus other news.

April 26, 2024

Community Board Wants Protected Bike Lane on Empire Blvd.

Brooklyn Community Board 9 wants city to upgrade Empire Boulevard's frequently blocked bike lane, which serves as a gateway to Prospect Park.

April 26, 2024

The Brake: Why We Can’t End Violence on Transit With More Police

Are more cops the answer to violence against transit workers, or is it only driving societal tensions that make attacks more frequent?

April 26, 2024

Report: Road Violence Hits Record in First Quarter of 2024

Sixty people died in the first three months of the year, 50 percent more than the first quarter of 2018, which was the safest opening three months of any Vision Zero year.

April 25, 2024
See all posts