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

Monday’s Headlines: Presidents’ Day Edition

We're honoring the Presidents of the United States today, but let's do so with a little news roundup, ok?

February 16, 2026

Rider Advocates Snub Mamdani’s Event After Mayor Opts Against Fordham Busway

Riders Alliance criticized Mamdani for eschewing the city's "original" busway plan that he campaigned to implement.

February 13, 2026

DE-ADAMSIZATION: Mamdani Restores Multiple Street Redesigns Killed By Eric Adams

The new mayor turns the page on four frustrating years of Eric Adams killing crucial street projects.

February 13, 2026

Q&A: Mamdani Biz Regulator Sam Levine Isn’t Afraid To Take On Big Tech

Levine's Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is a key regulatory force against the fast-growing delivery app industry, which has huge consequences for the city's public realm.

February 13, 2026

Commish Tisch: Fix in Mix For 311

The Adams appointee wants to revamp the 311 system so that police responses are trackable.

February 13, 2026
See all posts