Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
34th Avenue Open Street

A Round and Roundy: Open Streets ARE the Compromise

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.

He read the petition to turn the 34th Avenue open street in Queens into a linear park.

He read the Queens Borough President's op-ed in support.

He read the local Assembly Member's op-ed in support.

He read the Council candidate's op-ed in support.

He read the current Council Member's op-ed in support.

He read a random neighborhood resident's op-ed in support.

He listened as Jackson Heights and Corona residents showed their support.

He watched the movie of people loving the open street.

He read our article about how crashes have been reduced by 80 percent when the open street is off limits to thru-traffic.

He also read our article reminding people that in a world where car drivers have access to every single inch of public roadway all the time, making just one open street into a car-free oasis is the compromise that we're willing to make to drivers. He read our follow-up story about how opponents of open streets verbally abused two DOT officials for an hour ... standing in the open street they so despise.

So, of course, our national treasure cartoonist found the exact way to frame this story: If Mayor de Blasio and the Department of Transportation botch the redesign of the 34th Avenue open street in the name of the fake compromise that's being put forward by car owners, we'll end up with a roadway filled with cars (and how is that a compromise, given that that's what we have everywhere right now?).

It's another instant classic.

All of Bill Roundy's cartoons are archived here.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Monday’s Headlines: ‘We Speak English in America’ Edition

Read that talk bubble. That's really what the cop said to a man under arrest. Plus other news from a busy weekend.

May 12, 2025

Cyclist Launches Class Action Suit For Bogus NYPD Red Light Tickets

The NYPD keeps ignoring a law that allows cyclists to pass through a red light on the "Walk" sign. Now, someone is making a federal case about it.

May 12, 2025

Decision 2025: Mayoral Hopefuls Discuss the Death of Outdoor Dining

We asked, will you commit to expanding both Open Streets and outdoor dining in the roadway. And here's what they said...

Car Harms Monday: ‘Car Brain’ is the Demon Spawn of Car Dependency

Our policies, our budgets and our cultural narratives assume everyone can and does drive. That's car brain.

May 12, 2025

Zohran Mamdani Wants to Take a Free Bus … Straight to Gracie Mansion

So let's talk about the candidate's fare-free bus policy.

May 12, 2025
See all posts