NEW YORK CITY — The city’s Department of Transportation annual Car-Free Earth Day returns this month with dozens of streets citywide will turn into public pedestrians plazas.
The annual event, to be held on April 25, promotes activism and education surrounding climate change, environmentalism, and sustainable modes of transportation.
“Car-Free Earth Day is a reminder that we only have one planet—and that our streets play a critical role in our fight against climate change,” NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said. “Transportation is the second-biggest source of carbon emissions in New York City, and finding ways to make clean transportation options quicker, easier, and more affordable is key.
“We encourage all New Yorkers to come out to enjoy temporary public art, programming, music, and other activities at dozens of car-free streets around New York City.”
Through the support of Lyft, on Car-Free Earth Day, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours.
First launched in 2016, Car-Free Earth Day originally converted select Manhattan streets into public plazas and car-free streets for pedestrians, cyclists, and local businesses. Since then, it has expanded to locations throughout the five boroughs – connecting Open Streets, plazas, and accessing over 1,000 miles of NYC’s Bike Network.
Signature event locations include:
Manhattan:
· Broadway: 17th Street to 46th Street
· St. Nicholas Avenue: 181st Street to 185th Street
· Dyckman Street: Broadway to La Marina/Inwood Hill Park
Queens:
· Woodside Avenue: 75th Street to 78th Street
Brooklyn:
· Fifth Avenue: 41st Street to 45th Street
The Bronx:
· East 188th Street: Grand Concourse to Valentine Avenue
Staten Island:
· Port Richmond Avenue: Castleton Avenue to Bennett Street
In addition, the popular NYC Art Stop Letters will come to Car-Free Earth Day with an original design by NYC-based illustrator Molly Magnell, showcasing springtime in a car-free urban utopia.
NYC DOT Art will also present two sculptural installations at Car-Free Earth Day. New York-based interdisciplinary artist Duy Hoàng will present An Indicating Cycle, a sculptural book highlighting different indicator species that reflect current environmental conditions due to their sensitivity to climate change.
A large scale-installation by New York-based artist Frahydel Falczuk, titled The Plastic Sea, will evoke the sensation of being submerged in a “sea of plastic,” as a commentary on waste and consumption.