Skip to content

Who’s Up for Sneckdowns?

With Blizzard Mania '16 reaching a fever pitch up and down the Eastern Seaboard, it looks like we're in for the first serious sneckdowns of the season.
Image: Clarence Eckerson/BBC
Image: Clarence Eckerson/BBC

With Blizzard Mania ’16 reaching a fever pitch up and down the Eastern Seaboard, it looks like we’re in for the first serious sneckdowns of the season.

For the uninitiated, sneckdowns are neckdowns created by driving patterns in melting snow or slush. Sneckdowns highlight excess asphalt that could be repurposed for streetscape improvements to slow motor vehicle traffic and make walking safer.

A little backstory: The sneckdown concept goes back decadesIn 2001, Transportation Alternatives wrote: “[T]he next time someone tells you that you can’t have a neckdown on that corner or this corner because there’s not enough room, show them what happens every year when it snows.” Streetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson Jr. documented “naturally occurring neckdowns” in 2006, Streetsblog founding editor Aaron Naparstek coined the hashtag in 2013, and the international sneckdown craze was born.

Use the #sneckdown hashtag to share your photos on social media (find tips from Clarence on page 3 of this PDF). If you’d like to see your pics on Streetsblog — wherever you are — please include a location in your tweet or Instagram. We’ll be on the lookout first thing Monday.

Photo of 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.

Read More:

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Cops Are Writing More Parking Tickets Citywide — But Failing Badly In Manhattan’s Placard Zone

June 4, 2026

‘Seventh’ Heaven: Four Candidates to Succeed Rep. Nydia Velazquez Court Streetsblog Readers

June 4, 2026

Thursday’s Headlines: Is This Election Season Or Not Edition

June 4, 2026

Manhattan Community Board Backs Mamdani’s W. 72nd Street Bike Lane

June 3, 2026

Seeing Red: Queens Parents Just Want DOT To Make Intersection at Childcare Center Safe

June 3, 2026
See all posts