This summer, major thoroughfares in all five boroughs of NYC will once again become havens for pedestrians and cyclists, who will not have to contend with automobiles.
The city Department of Transportation (DOT) announced Friday that it is bringing back its Summer Streets program, which involves the city closing off significant portions of key arterials to vehicle traffic for several hours across five summer Saturdays.
The annual program, launched in 2008 and expanded to all five boroughs in 2023, is a “celebration” of the city’s public space — giving pedestrians and cyclists free rein over parts of the streetscape normally dominated by motor vehicles during designated times.
“Summer Streets gives back our largest public space, our streets, so that all New Yorkers can walk, run, bike, play, dance, or simply connect with their neighbors,” DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said in a statement.
Under the program, New Yorkers will get access to over 20 miles of roadway this summer, according to DOT. The initiative has become quite popular, with over 500,000 people participating in it last year.
It will begin on Saturday, July 25, with Queens’ Vernon Boulevard between 30th and 44th Drives; and Staten Island’s Broadway, from Richmond Terrace to Harvest Avenue. The former traces the Long Island City and Astoria waterfront, while the latter goes through the Rock’s West Brighton area.
The changes will be in effect between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m in both boroughs on that day.
State Sen. Kristen Gonzalez (D-Queens/Brooklyn/Manhattan), whose district covers the LIC/Astoria Summer Street, said that as a native New Yorker, “Summer Streets is one of my favorite seasonal traditions.”
“These Saturdays are amazing opportunities to embrace our neighborhoods, connect with small businesses, organizations, and other community members, and celebrate public open spaces,” she added.
Flynn said DOT adjusted Summer Streets hours in the outer boroughs this year. Adrian Cacho, a senior organizer with the public realm advocacy group Open Plans, said DOT made the alteration in response to community feedback.
“These later hours are a meaningful step toward expanding the program and making it more accessible for everyone,” Cacho said in a statement.
A city Department of Transportation map of this year’s Summer Streets and a list of the dates on which they will be taking place.Image Courtesy of DOT
The three Saturdays following July 25 — Aug. 1, 8, and 15 — the Manhattan Summer Street will be in effect between 7 a.m. and 3 p.m. The iconic route, more than 12 miles long, will begin at the foot of the Brooklyn Bridge, run up Park Avenue, cross the island at 110th Street, and then up Broadway until it terminates at Dyckman Street in Inwood.
By barring vehicle traffic along the stretch, cyclists will have the opportunity to ride through Park Avenue and on the Park Avenue Viaduct — the latter of which is an elevated roadway encircling Grand Central Station. Neither part of the street is normally used by pedestrians or cyclists, as it is dangerous to traverse them when vehicular traffic is present.
Finally, Brooklyn and Bronx residents will get their Summer Streets on Saturday, Aug. 22, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.
In Brooklyn, pedestrians and cyclists can take Eastern Parkway from Grand Army Plaza to Buffalo Avenue, which connects the borough’s Prospect Heights and Brownsville sections. The same route as the West Indian Day Parade held annually on Labor Day Weekend.
Bronxites will get to take over the Grand Concourse, from East Tremont Avenue to Mosholu Parkway, connecting the western and northern sections of the borough.
DOT has also partnered with Lyft, the parent company of Citi Bike, to offer discounted regular and e-bike rides to Queens and Staten Island Summer Streets participants on July 25. Riders using the promo code “SUMMER2WHEEL” in either the Citi Bike or Lyft apps will get to save up to $10 on two rides, according to DOT.
While a limited number of promo codes will be available on that date, Lyft will announce additional codes for future dates on its social media accounts.
“We’re bringing back free rides for riders across all five Summer Streets weekends this year, because we want as many people as possible to discover a new neighborhood, a new route, or a new reason to love riding,” Citi Bike General Manager Patrick Knoth said in a statement.
The Transportation Department is also joining forces again with the New York Road Runners — the organization that runs the New York City Marathon — to expand its Start Line Series, which brings free running and walking events aimed at beginners to Summer Streets. The group will hold events in Queens on July 25, in Manhattan on Aug. 1, and in the Bronx on Aug. 22.