Traffic Calming

Get Up and #Sneckdown

Sneckdowns are "snowy neckdowns" formed as motorists drive through melting snow and slush. With nine inches of snow in Central Park as of this afternoon, NYC is in for some serious sneckdown action. The next few days will be prime time. Share your finds with the #sneckdown hashtag on social media.

By Brad Aaron

4:49 PM EST on February 9, 2017

Inwood sneckdown, December 2016. Photo: Brad Aaron

With nine inches of snow in Central Park as of this afternoon, NYC is in for some serious sneckdown action.

In case this is your first time — sneckdowns are “snowy neckdowns” formed as motorists drive through melting snow and slush, revealing where asphalt could be repurposed for street improvements to slow motor vehicle traffic and make walking safer.

The sneckdown concept has a storied legacy. In 2006, Streetfilms’ Clarence Eckerson Jr. noted “naturally occurring neckdowns” after a record snowstorm in NYC. Things really took off after Streetsblog founding editor Aaron Naparstek came up with the #sneckdown hashtag in 2013.

The next few days will be prime time. To share your finds, use the #sneckdown hashtag on social media (see Clarence’s tips on page 3 of this PDF to make the most of the experience). If you’d like Streetsblog to publish your pics, wherever you are, include a location in your tweet or Instagram.

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