Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bill de Blasio

A Round and a Roundy: Bullies Are Destroying Sleepy de Blasio’s Open Streets ‘Program’

Cartoon: Bill Roundy

Editorial cartoon of Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.
Editorial cartoon of Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.
Editorial cartoon of Bill Roundy by editorial cartoonist Bill Roundy.

It's pretty clear that Mayor de Blasio's open streets program is in a death spiral.

In North Brooklyn, neighborhood vigilantes vandalized and then stole barricades, forcing the cancelation of the Driggs Avenue car-free street.

In Queens, open streets opponents are organizing and getting the ear of the Department of Transportation, which is right now drawing up a "compromise" proposal for 34th Avenue — the open street that the agency itself calls "the gold standard."

And countless open streets created during the COVID-19 pandemic have simply fallen off the map.

Our national treasure cartoonist knows what's going on: the mayor is not only asleep at the switch, but he's also turned his back to the real problem.

All of Bill Roundy's cartoons are archived here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Likely Mayor Mamdani Supports Daylighting as DOT Digs In Heels

The next mayor will have to overcome a deeply entrenched bureaucracy opposed to the common-sense policy.

October 6, 2025

Under Pressure: Uber’s Navigation System Endangers the Public With Reckless Driving Directions

An Uber driver made an illegal u-turn and hit someone, but the in-app navigation told him to do it and the company won't give up the code.

October 6, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Trump Games Continue Edition

Trump restored some security grant for New York, but billions of dollars in grant remain on ice. Plus more news.

October 6, 2025

Friday Video: Meet the Subway’s Straphanger-Free Trains

We've all seen them. Now, thanks to YouTube's "Half as Interesting," we can tell you the purpose of each one.

October 3, 2025

The MTA Is Headed To The Lab To Design The Ridgewood Busway

A filthy private road underneath the elevated M tracks could become a gleaming bus-first corridor.

October 3, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: Good News Edition

The Department of Transportation reports that traffic deaths are way down through the first three quarters of 2025. Plus other news.

October 3, 2025
See all posts