KarunaNews Story

The COVID-19 pandemic changed how people used public space in New York City, with streets shutting down to cars and opening up for neighbors to walk, bike and play. Now, the New York City Department of Transportation is launching the Office of Livable Streets to create streets that connect and build community rather than as places to drive or park a car. The office is redesigning streets to meet the needs of the people using it, with different interventions ranging from low-touch (creating an open street using temporary barricades and signage) to high-touch (creating a pedestrian plaza that’s permanently closed to cars or adding a bike lane and safety improvements for pedestrians). The office is working to accommodate the cycling boom — both the increase in people choosing to bike commute, but also the increase in e-bikes and e-cargo bikes used for delivery.