Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Car-Free Streets

30 Blocks of Broadway Will Go Car-Free on Earth Day

Car Free Day 2017 is fast approaching. Photo: Chelsea Yamada

On Saturday, April 22, the city will open up 30 blocks of Broadway for people, creating a string of car-free areas from Union Square to Times Square. City Council transportation chair Ydanis Rodriguez and DOT announced the event this morning, and Transportation Alternatives organizer Chelsea Yamada posted a dispatch on Twitter.

It's the second year in a row that the city will be putting on "Car Free Day" events in observance of Earth Day, and the scale will be larger. Last year, there were four car-free zones, all in Manhattan, in effect for four hours each.

With Earth Day falling on a Saturday this year, the city is going bigger. In addition to Broadway, parts of St. Nicholas Avenue in Upper Manhattan, Montague Street in Brooklyn, Shore Boulevard and Woodside Avenue in Queens, and Eagle Avenue in the Bronx will be car-free from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

It's not clear yet how many cross-streets will also be car-free on those routes, but last year DOT pedestrianized smaller side streets along Broadway.

Car-Free Day 2016
Broadway south of Madison Square during last year's Car Free Day. Photo: David Meyer
Broadway south of Madison Square during last year's Car Free Day. Photo: David Meyer

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Report: Efforts to Speed Up Bus Speeds Have Stalled … Like Bus Speeds

City buses move slower than ever after Mayor Adams reneged on his commitment to build more bus lanes, according to a new analysis.

February 7, 2025

Paradigm Shift: MTA Boss Says State Should Pony Up More For Capital Plans

"Every time the MTA capital program comes up, we treat it like, 'Oh my god, they need a bailout,'" the MTA CEO said, pointing out the absurdity.

February 7, 2025

Who is Trump’s FTA Pick Marc Molinaro — And Will He Kill Congestion Pricing?

If confirmed, Trump FTA pick Marc Molinaro can do a lot to gum up funding for mass transit across the country. Here's a look at his record.

February 7, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: It Never Ends Edition

A great Hell Gate story about fake placards is our top story. Plus other news in our digest.

February 7, 2025
See all posts