Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Eyes on the Street

Here They Are: Meet Some of NYC’s Worst Sidewalk Hogs

Manetta’s Restaurant in Long Island City. Care for a nice pinot noir and some tailpipe exhaust with your entrée? Photo: ##https://twitter.com/alter_spaces/status/487685561558519808/photo/1##@alter_spaces##
Manetta’s Restaurant in Long Island City. Care for a nice pinot noir and some tailpipe exhaust with your entrée? Photo: @alter_spaces
Manetta’s Restaurant in Long Island City. Care for a nice pinot noir and some tailpipe exhaust with your entrée? Photo: ##https://twitter.com/alter_spaces/status/487685561558519808/photo/1##@alter_spaces##

We asked for photos of NYC's worst sidewalk-hogging businesses, and readers responded.

We relaxed our guidelines a little to make room for government agencies. In the arena of public institutions that show no respect for people on foot, the United States Postal Service and employees of Metro-North in Harlem deserve special recognition.

More from LIC, where pedestrian safety is clearly not a priority for USPS, which seems to be using the sidewalk on 28th Street in Dutch Kills as a loading dock. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/DutchLic/status/486331011131654144/photo/1##@DutchLic##
Pedestrian safety is clearly not a priority for USPS, which seems to be using the sidewalk on 28th Street in Dutch Kills as a loading dock. Photo: @DutchLic
More from LIC, where pedestrian safety is clearly not a priority for USPS, which seems to be using the sidewalk on 28th Street in Dutch Kills as a loading dock. Photo: ##https://twitter.com/DutchLic/status/486331011131654144/photo/1##@DutchLic##

Not surprisingly, car-related businesses were a major force. To the car rental firms on the Upper West Side and car dealers in the Bronx, we salute your complete indifference to people who expect to use sidewalks for walking.

And a special shout-out goes to Manetta's Restaurant in Long Island City, where the linguine nere comes with a side of valet combat parking.

You'll notice that several of our winners have violated the law for years in full view of NYPD, which itself may be the city's most notorious usurper of public space for vehicle storage.

Thanks to all who participated in our search. Everyone whose photo appeared on the blog will get a Streetfilms DVD.

Bonus points to Metro-North employees for leaving residents absolutely no space on ##https://twitter.com/hessmatthias/status/460741716849741825##this Harlem sidewalk##. ##https://twitter.com/HessMatthias/status/487613495790542848##Matthias Hess## says this is a “longtime problem” in the neighborhood.
Bonus points to Metro-North employees for leaving residents absolutely no space on this Harlem sidewalk. Matthias Hess says this is a “longtime problem” in the neighborhood.
Bonus points to Metro-North employees for leaving residents absolutely no space on ##https://twitter.com/hessmatthias/status/460741716849741825##this Harlem sidewalk##. ##https://twitter.com/HessMatthias/status/487613495790542848##Matthias Hess## says this is a “longtime problem” in the neighborhood.
Per ##https://twitter.com/urbanresidue/status/486653899160293376##@urbanresidue##, NYPD says no action is necessary on Cambreleng Avenue in the Bronx, where car dealers have commandeered the sidewalk for years. Image: Google Maps
Per @urbanresidue, NYPD says no action is necessary on Cambreleng Avenue in the Bronx, where car dealers have commandeered the sidewalk for years. Image: Google Maps
Per ##https://twitter.com/urbanresidue/status/486653899160293376##@urbanresidue##, NYPD says no action is necessary on Cambreleng Avenue in the Bronx, where car dealers have commandeered the sidewalk for years. Image: Google Maps
Another persistent violator: car rental outlets and garages on W. 83rd Street in Manhattan, which ##https://twitter.com/kencoughlin/status/485457059551260672/photo/1##Ken Coughlin## describes as an “incessant pedestrian slalom.”
Another persistent violator: car rental outlets and garages on W. 83rd Street in Manhattan, which Ken Coughlin describes as an “incessant pedestrian slalom.”
Another persistent violator: car rental outlets and garages on W. 83rd Street in Manhattan, which ##https://twitter.com/kencoughlin/status/485457059551260672/photo/1##Ken Coughlin## describes as an “incessant pedestrian slalom.”

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Data: New Yorkers Keep Biking In This Cold, Cold World

Even in the city's historic deep freeze, New Yorkers are getting around by bicycle, according to publicly available data.

February 11, 2026

The Real Problem in Central Park Isn’t Speed — It’s Scarcity

New York City has chronically underinvested in cycling infrastructure compared to its global peers.

February 11, 2026

More Troubles for Fly E-Bike: Feds Order Costly Moped Recall

Federal officials have ordered Fly E-Bike to recall all Fly 10 mopeds, the latest troubles for the micromobility company.

February 11, 2026

Safe Streets, Workers Rights, Crash Victims Targeted By Big Tech In Super Bowl Ads

Some Super Bowl commercials are ads. And some are warning shots.

February 10, 2026

Opinion: The City, Not Just Lyft, Deserves Blame for Citi Bike’s Winter Mess

The Mamdani administration should fine Lyft for falling short of its contractual obligations — and reward it for meeting or surpassing them.

February 10, 2026
See all posts