Walk, bike or sit in Times Square, Herald Square. You won’t get run over!

Published on May 25th, 2009

Posted by Eideard in Ecology, Politics, economy

Effective today, the iconic thoroughfare is officially closed to motor vehicles in two key sections of midtown – Herald Square and Times Square. Broadway is now a pedestrian mall from 47th to 42nd Sts. and from 35th to 33rd Sts.

Mayor Bloomberg said he believes the street shutdown will make New York more livable by reducing pollution, cutting down on pedestrian accidents and helping traffic flow more smoothly…

While pedestrians were able to experience it first, the real test of success will come tomorrow when the city reopens for business after the holiday weekend…

Shopkeepers aren’t yet sure what to expect.

Officials will decide by the end of the year whether to make the changes permanent. Other experts insist the new walking space can only have a positive impact on Broadway’s stores.

RTFA, There’s whining – in advance – from the folks you’d expect. Those who think their individual liberty wholly depends on having rubber tires and an engine to provide mobility.

Joy from the rest of the human beings in NYC.

19 users responded in " Walk, bike or sit in Times Square, Herald Square. You won’t get run over! "

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# 1 Named said, on May 25th, 2009 at 6:07 am

Fantastic idea.

Nothing better in a city than a major place for people watching.

# 2 rosebush said, on May 25th, 2009 at 6:55 am

Hey, I walk though that shit hole every business day. I believe what Bloomshit should do is reduce the number of Taxis that are in the city.
That would reduce congestion & traffic 100x.

I’m glad they’re closing the streets, this way those funky tourists aren’t walking slowly in front of me, hogging up the entire sidewalk at 8am in the morning, while I’m trying to get to work.

Eventually they’re going to impose a credit check instead of a toll, in order for you to enter the city.

Peace

# 3 chris said, on May 25th, 2009 at 6:59 am

Many European cities have areas like this. It doesn’t ruin the city. They will need to allow trucks in to restock stores during the off hours, but there’s no reason this can’t be a good thing.

# 4 Dallas said, on May 25th, 2009 at 7:07 am

Very cool. I hope it becomes a trend in all major cities.

# 5 Mark Derail said, on May 25th, 2009 at 7:12 am

Montreal needs to do this in the Old Port.

Just leave a circumference around the no-car core for cars, to drive in circles looking for parking.

NY should set up some tents in the middle, for itinerant merchants rented on a daily basis in the summer / high tourism season.

Get your cheap jewelry, tattoo & caricature.

# 6 Named said, on May 25th, 2009 at 7:15 am

Don’t be shy… tell us what you REALLY think…

# 7 anonymous said, on May 25th, 2009 at 7:34 am

I’m a little peeved by all the articles declaring “Cars banned from Times Square”. They’re not banned! Seventh avenue is still open!

# 8 Pete said, on May 25th, 2009 at 7:44 am

#5 Montreakl will have a 2 week trial period, where St-Paul will be closed to traffic (sometime in july)

# 9 Nimby said, on May 25th, 2009 at 9:42 am

I did my residency training in Manhattan and there are very few places you can’t get to quickly and easily on the subway. The slowest part of any trip was the eventual walk. Sidewalks are often just as congested as the street! I’ve been to several cities in Europe and Asia that do this and it invariably perks up the economy while it makes the area more fun to visit. Now, maybe the whole area below Tribeca?

# 10 JimR said, on May 25th, 2009 at 9:45 am

Toronto is heading in that direction. An entire lane of a major downtown road is being converted to bicycle traffic, while parking is being removed from another in favour of bicycle lanes. Who want’s to park anyway… at $5-$9/hr! Dundas Square has (Toronto’s equivalent to Times Square) has a 4- way stop where pedestrians cross in any direction. Traffic is so bad in downtown Toronto, that I always park 20 minutes away from the core area and walk to my destination… when I absolutely have to go there, that is.

# 11 Named said, on May 25th, 2009 at 10:21 am

10,

The downtown toronto core has atrocious traffic. Oddly, we have great downtown service on public traffic. In fact, I can’t imagine walking more than five minutes in any direction without hitting a streetcar or subway stop. And, since T.O. is a particularly safe, if not bland, city, walking is good too.

# 12 JimR said, on May 25th, 2009 at 11:17 am

Re: #11, Bland? I guess it all from prospective. I used to live there and didn’t notice the anxious pace of life while immersed in it. Now that I live over an hour away and watch the corn growing out my back window…

I enjoy my visits though… the AGO, the ROM, Chinatown, people, stores, people, skyscrapers, people… and, um, people.

# 13 Ralph, the Bus Driver said, on May 25th, 2009 at 11:31 am

Several years ago Toronto closed Younge Street for several blocks. Several smaller cities also tried this.

The merchants didn’t like it as although it brought in a lot of initial traffic, most of the street ended up being taken over by loiterers. In the evening youth gangs took over and increased police protection became necessary.

# 14 Daniel said, on May 25th, 2009 at 4:28 pm

Given the huge amount of people who are in Times Square all hours of the day and night this makes a lot of sense. I can’t see how closing the traffic would impact shopkeepers. NYC is such a pedestrian city already, its not like you need car traffic to get customers in to Times Square. Most of the cars are passing through, and most of those are taxis. Why ANYBODY would demand their right to drive through that area is beyond me… I’m just as much of a gun toting libertarian as the next guy but I could never stand driving in Manhattan.

# 15 Named said, on May 25th, 2009 at 8:29 pm

12,

T.O. sometimes has that “me too” quality which drives me nuts. Though, living in downtown T.O. for the past 15 years, I’ve notices huge changes. There are some parts of the city (e.g. Jarvis / Richmond) that 15 years ago were just abandoned warehouses and sweet f all are now surprisingly dense and updated with lots of condos. But, I’ll say that the food in T.O., if you know where to visit, is the most varied and exciting. I dare say that New York is probably the only place with more variety per square metre…

How do you like the new ROM? I’m not sure I’m huge on it, though I will grant it is striking on first seeing the exterior.

# 16 Glenn E. said, on May 26th, 2009 at 1:27 am

Perhaps they could do this one week out of every month, while the weather is nice. July thru August might be a bit too hot, to sit or walk over the street asphalt. And obviously most of winter is out. I’m sure certain optimum periods of auto traffic suspension could be worked out. But will this last beyond the current NYC administration, is the question? New reigns always seem to be in a hurry to toss out the new ideas the last ones had. Probably because their moneyed “backers” want them to.

# 17 Glenn E. said, on May 26th, 2009 at 1:34 am

The billboard advertisers must hate the idea, because only a stagnant crowd gets to see their signage. Rather than the usual flow of thousand of vehicles a day. But then maybe the advertisers could adjust for the crowd’s needs. So rather than adverts for cars and Viagra. Have adverts for sun blocker and footwear.

# 18 JimR said, on May 26th, 2009 at 12:44 pm

Named, I lived there for 17 years, 16 years ago. Went to The Ontario College of Art & Design, long before it grew a giant pencil (and before design could be done on computers). I haven’t seen the new ROM yet, but the new AGO looks like it just arrived from Alpha Centauri. Interesting.

# 19 Elcoj said, on June 20th, 2009 at 5:22 am

I have already seen it somethere…

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