Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Parking

Video: Another Way The Snow Reveals Our Misallocation of Public Space

New Yorkers barely use their cars and, instead, use them to seize public space.

Here’s a New Yorker justifying his ownership of a car he admits he does not need.

|Photos: Henry Beebe-Center

Hopefully by now, you’re familiar with sneckdowns, but misuse of public space isn't the only thing that snow reveals about our city. In the aftermath of the Jan. 25 storm, it’s become evident that many New Yorkers barely use the cars they own and, instead, use their private vehicles to seize public space.

It's especially appalling in New York City, where nothing, except for nearly three million parking spaces, is free.

And that's a huge mistake. According to a 2024 Hunter College study, if drivers were charged market rate for parking, the city would bring in an additional $12.3 billion annually (roughly nine times the Department of Transportation budget).

Check out our latest video:

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Queens Pol Trolls Her Own Constituents From Her Ticket-Covered Lincoln As They March For Car-Free Parks

Queens Council Member Joann Ariola mocked her own constituents in an "adolescent" and "antagonistic" move just because some people want a car-free park.

February 9, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Bureaucratic Morass Edition

Restaurants hoping to set up in the city's open streets hit a bureaucratic snag — but DOT said a solution is coming. Plus more news.

February 9, 2026

Andy Byford’s ‘Trump Card’ On Penn Station Keeps Wrecking New York’s Infrastructure Projects

What will become of the Amtrak executive's plans for Penn Station under President Trump?

February 6, 2026

FLASHBACK: What Happened To Car-Free ‘Snow Routes’ — And Could They Have Helped City Clear the Streets?

Remember those bright red signs that banned parking from snow emergency routes? Here is the curious story of how New York City abandoned a key component of its snow removal system.

February 6, 2026

Council Transportation Chair Vows To Take On Drivers: ‘I Don’t Want To Just Futz Around the Edges’

Streetsblog grilled new chairman Shaun Abreu, who says he wants to bring more life and fewer cars to the street.

February 6, 2026

Friday’s Headlines: New York’s Strongest Edition

It's still snow problem around town. Plus other news.

February 6, 2026
See all posts