Skip to content

Streetfilms: Get a Load of How Abnormal New York is Right Now

Our Orson Welles of the street, Clarence Eckerson Jr., takes you on a journey through a livable city (albeit one we only get because of coronavirus).
Streetfilms: Get a Load of How Abnormal New York is Right Now
Park Avenue on Friday, March 20, 2020. Photo: Clarence Eckerson Jr.

I hadn’t been on my bicycle in over a week, choosing to walk and run for exercise during the coronavirus (and observing recommended precautions), but I was curious what my normal commute looked like. So on Friday, I bicycled from Jackson Heights into Manhattan.

Comparing my new footage to my many reels of archive footage provides a reminder of how much we’ve lost — but also allows us to imagine what kind of city we could have when we emerge from this pandemic.

It could be great (if we don’t mess it up).

Photo of Clarence Eckerson Jr.
Clarence Eckerson Jr. is the Director of Video Production for NYCSR's StreetFilms and producer of bikeTV. He loves the color purple, chocolate chip cookies, and enjoys walking, biking, and taking transit. He has never owned a driver's license.

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

The Dark Web: The City Can’t Control Online Sales Of Illegal E-Scooters And E-Motos

June 23, 2026

Power Outage: MTA Delays Bus Electrification Amid Manufacturer Challenges

June 23, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: Does Zohran Mamdani Know Billy Idol Edition

June 23, 2026

PEDESTRIANIZE NOW! Financial District Businesses Want Space for People Not Cars

June 22, 2026

Driverless Cars Could Save Tens of Thousands of Lives. But We Must Treat Them Like Aviation — Not Like Cars

June 22, 2026
See all posts