Traffic Calming

Sneckdowns 4: Ain’t Snow Stoppin’ Us Now

Since our last round-up, the sneckdown has drawn attention from publications as varied as The Economist, The Week, Fast Company, Village Voice, Atlantic Cities, and Treehugger. With coverage and photos piling up like so much traffic-calming slush, sneckdown emissary and archivist Clarence Eckerson posted a detailed explainer, dating the concept back to the 1990s. Meanwhile, the city of Raleigh asked residents to send photos of "wasted space at intersections." Clearly, even amid the chaotic weather, the idea that there should be more room for people on U.S. streets has struck a chord.

By Brad Aaron

12:01 PM EST on February 14, 2014

Photo: ##https://twitter.com/BrooklynSpoke/statuses/419203406059016193##@BrooklynSpoke## via ##https://twitter.com/urbandata/status/434052182002774016##@urbandata## — Photo: @BrooklynSpoke and Transportation Alternatives

Since our last round-up, the sneckdown has drawn attention from publications as varied as The Economist, The Week, Fast Company, Village Voice, Atlantic Cities, and Treehugger. With coverage and photos piling up like so much traffic-calming slush, sneckdown emissary and archivist Clarence Eckerson posted a detailed explainer, dating the concept back to the 1990s. Meanwhile, the city of Raleigh asked residents to send photos of “wasted space at intersections.” Clearly, even amid the chaotic weather, the idea that there should be more room for people on U.S. streets has struck a chord.

There is a rumor that WPIX reporter Arthur Chi’en is putting together a sneckdown segment for tonight. While we look forward to that, here are some shots taken in New York City over the last week. For more, check out what sneckdown spotters are seeing in Boston, Seattle, Kansas City, Oklahoma City, Louisville, and Omaha.

34th Avenue and 85th Street, Jackson Heights. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/Streetfilms/status/432944105409101825##@Streetfilms##

Columbus Circle. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/AlexWithAK/status/434067012621717504##@AlexWithAK##

Reade and Greenwich Streets. Photo: Jennifer Aaron

Clinton Street and Amity Street. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/nilsd/status/431791802199601152/photo/1##@nilsd##

Thompson and Spring Streets. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/katehinds/status/434101464517316610##@katehinds##

Jackson Heights. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/PurpleClarence/status/432957590159785984##@PurpleClarence##

Brad Aaron

Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York's dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Traffic Calming