Open Plans

Open Plans

@openplans.org

Transforming the streets of NYC to be truly livable www.openplans.org

4.1K followers 734 following626 posts

Join us TOMORROW at 9 AM!! After the rally, the Council’s Transportation Committee will hear legislation to improve street safety, including Int 1070 to pilot a Low Traffic Neighborhood in communities across at least three boroughs. Testimony toolkit: docs.google.com/document/d/1...

docs.google.com10.27.2026 Intro 1070 (LTN Bill) Testimony ToolkitWHO Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure WHAT Vision Zero Hearing WHEN October 27th, 2026 WHERE Council Chambers - City Hall - City Hall Park, New York, NY 10007 - To enter City Hall, enter ...

Open Plans@openplans.org

Join us and other transportation and safe streets advocates to rally for better streets and a more livable city! After the rally, the Council's Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that will transform NYC, including the creation of our very first LTNs

So much of NYC life happens on our streets. Activating them for our communities is how we create fun, connected, and vibrant neighborhoods. But what makes a great block party? Join our very own @saraklind.bsky.social for an exciting panel on how NYC's best block party comes together!

Open Plans reposted

Join us and other transportation and safe streets advocates to rally for better streets and a more livable city! After the rally, the Council's Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that will transform NYC, including the creation of our very first LTNs

Join us and other transportation and safe streets advocates to rally for better streets and a more livable city! After the rally, the Council's Transportation Committee will hold a hearing on legislation that will transform NYC, including the creation of our very first LTNs

Detroit is turning I-375, a sunken highway that wiped out Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, into a surface boulevard. Cities are finally reckoning with what urban highways took from them. The BQE must be part of that conversation.

“I want there to be zero barriers to entry for a school to participate in this program, we can learn a lot from cities like Seattle, who have a really simple questionnaire.” - Sabina our Community Planner who helps schools with their applications. gothamist.com/news/nyc-loo...

gothamist.comNYC looks to grow involvement in Open Streets as applications open for 2027The Mamdani administration bolstered funding this year and is asking applicants to suggest infrastructure upgrades.

Syracuse is tearing down the I-81 viaduct that split its city for decades and replacing it with a street grid that reconnects the neighborhoods the highway cut apart. If Syracuse can rethink its highways, so can NYC.

Providence moved I-195 off its downtown waterfront and got back roughly 40 acres of land for homes, jobs, and a new park, now linked by a walking bridge across the Providence River. Their downtown was reconnected to the water; Brooklyn neighborhoods deserve the same.

Milwaukee removed the Park East Freeway in the early 2000s and opened up land for new homes, jobs, and a reconnected downtown. Urban highways take up space our neighborhoods need. What could Brooklyn do with it?

After the 1989 earthquake, San Francisco replaced part of its Central Freeway with Octavia Boulevard, with trees, housing, local businesses, and a people-oriented design. Predictions of a traffic nightmare didn’t come true; NYC can learn the same lesson.

Portland tore out Harbor Drive in 1974 and built Tom McCall Waterfront Park in its place. Fifty years later, nobody's asking for the highway back. The BQE doesn't have to be permanent either.

NYC is about to spend billions on outdated, unnecessary car infrastructure. With the right vision, alternatives are possible. Speak up and tell local officials you want them to go back to the drawing board on the BQE at these events hosted by @nyc-dot.bsky.social:

"We need a clear and transparent timeline for swift implementation. Once live, this enforcement will have a major positive impact for cyclist safety; every day without it means another day that cyclists’ safety is at risk."

Streetsblog NYC@nyc.streetsblog.org

Drivers blocking bus lanes and bike lanes... beware! buff.ly/zFLfJfm

buff.lyFinally: City, MTA to Test-Run Bus-Mounted Cameras On Bike Lane Blockers - Streetsblog New York CityThe city and state are gearing up to use the MTA's existing bus-mounted cameras to ticket drivers who park in bike lanes, more than three years after state legislators gave the Department of…

Open Plans reposted

Streetsblog NYC

@nyc.streetsblog.org

Drivers blocking bus lanes and bike lanes... beware! buff.ly/zFLfJfm

buff.lyFinally: City, MTA to Test-Run Bus-Mounted Cameras On Bike Lane Blockers - Streetsblog New York CityThe city and state are gearing up to use the MTA's existing bus-mounted cameras to ticket drivers who park in bike lanes, more than three years after state legislators gave the Department of…

Open Plans reposted

Clarence Eckerson Jr./Streetfilms

@streetfilms.bsky.social

Yesterday we may have seen the beginning of something we've needed for a long time: Paris-style school streets gates to halt traffic outside schools. WATCH the entire short film at this Youtube link: youtu.be/ofjvhtq-4ek?...

"Modeled after infrastructure used near schools in Paris, the gate is designed to create a safer street environment during outdoor school programming." patch.com/new-york/wes...

patch.com1st Permanent School Street Gate Installed In Hudson SquareThe gate is designed to create a safer street environment during outdoor school programming.

Happy first day of swing! The new school street gate for City-As school is officially installed on Clarkson St. Modeled after similar designs in Paris, this new infrastructure creates safe, open spaces for students. Let's bring these to schools across NY!

The West Side Highway. The Embarcadero Freeway. The Rochester Loop. New York and other cities have removed urban highways and transformed car-dominated spaces into thriving parks, waterfronts, and neighborhoods. There’s no reason the BQE can’t be the same.

Boo! 👻 It’s October, which means it’s time for Trick or Streets!! We’re so grateful for the chance to have helped so many partners host these incredible, family-friendly events. 🧡 Be sure to get out there for candy, costumes and car-free fun! All events: www.nyc.gov/html/dot/htm...

This is amazing news! Every day, New Yorkers count on the city's buses to get around. Faster service means more opportunity, more access and a better quality of life for all.

Streetsblog NYC@nyc.streetsblog.org

Citywide bus speeds hit 8.5 miles per hour in August, which is the quickest buses have moved through the city in four years, amid Mayor Mamdani and the MTA’s sweeping campaign to improve bus service. buff.ly/VmzNGYr

buff.lyWheels Up: City Bus Speeds Hit Four-Year High Under Mayor Mamdani - Streetsblog New York CityCitywide bus speeds hit 8.5 mph in August, which is the quickest buses have moved through the city in four years

The DOT is presenting us with a false choice on the BQE. If repairs to this roadway are so critical, we should be able to close ramps and redirect traffic to do them, rather than overcommitting to temporary car infrastructure. We have better alternatives at our disposal.

Streetsblog NYC@nyc.streetsblog.org

Mayor Mamdani plans to build an interstate highway bypass on top of part of the Brooklyn Bridge, according to new renderings of the temporary roadway slated for the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway repairs. buff.ly/jDZul3G

buff.ly'Truck Flyover': Mamdani's BQE Bypass Will Pass Over Brooklyn Bridge - Streetsblog New York CityMayor Mamdani plans to run a temporary highway over the approach to the Brooklyn Bridge for at least a decade as the city rebuilds the BQE.

Open Plans reposted

Yes - we need more city council members to explicitly say: reduce the number of cars in our neighborhood. Next: reduce the number parked in neighborhoods, not just the ones that drive through (which has also reduces the number that drive through)

gothamist.comNYC lawmakers want 'low-traffic neighborhoods' with more speed humps, street changesThe bill mandates a select number of "traffic-calming devices" in five different neighborhoods.

Council Members @shaunabreu.bsky.social, @powers4queens.bsky.social, and @shahanafrombk.bsky.social's new bill to pilot Low Traffic Neighborhoods has the potential to transform our streets to the benefit of all New Yorkers.

More info on LTNs and what they'd mean for your community: www.openplans.org/low-traffic-...

openplans.orgLow Traffic Neighborhoods — Open PlansDrivers cut-through our residential streets looking for a faster route, but the result is gridlock, noise, pollution, and danger. Low Traffic Neighborhoods reclaim local streets for local use. By rede...

Cars emit 3.5x more than freight, 13.5x more than buses, despite moving fewer people. Policymakers focused on climate can’t ignore their impact. 🌎 Join our Climate Week panel TOMORROW to see what's worked to cut driving and clean up our air. RSVP: https://luma.com/parking-70cz

🚗 Private cars are NYC's 3rd-largest source of emissions, right behind homes and businesses. Join our Climate Week panel "Reducing Driving as Climate Action" to explore what's worked to cut driving and clean up our air. 🗓️ 9/24 | 📍 Brooklyn Borough Hall RSVP: https://luma.com/parking-70cz

Happy Climate Week! Join us on Thursday at Brooklyn Borough Hall where we’ll be tackling the climate elephant in the room; driving. RSVP here: https://luma.com/parking-70cz

Most New Yorkers don't drive, and City of Yes recognized that eliminating parking minimums discourages unnecessary car infrastructure and reduces costs for everyone. It's time to expand the policy citywide and eliminate parking mandates for good.

Chris Goldammer@floorarearatio.bsky.social

Proposed parking for new housing in NYC Before and after City of Yes, split by transit zone. * Caveats below

When Seoul removed its Cheonggyecheon elevated highway, the city got reconnected communities, better air, a thriving public space and less traffic congestion. If New York rethinks the future of the BQE, we can notch a similar win-win-win-win for our city.

“It’s been so wonderful having the community enjoy a new public space together, and it was amazing how popular it was, especially for families. It’s shown how big of an appetite there is for these types of space-reclaiming activations...” qns.com/2026/09/aust...

qns.comAustin Street to host final open street event of 2026 this Sunday – QNSForest Hills' Austin Street will transform into an open street for the last time in 2026 this Sunday, providing crafts, games and community activities along

This is an incredible reimagining of the roadway as public space, showing how much opportunity there is in repurposing NYC's excess car infrastructure. More greenery + safer mobility for peds and cyclists + better street design = a huge win for NYers and our quality of life

Gothamist@gothamist.com

Park Avenue redesign moves ahead, city plans leafy walkway and 2-way bike lane gothamist.com/news/park-av...

gothamist.comPark Avenue redesign moves ahead, city plans leafy walkway and 2-way bike laneCity transportation officials said they decided to separate cyclists from pedestrians after receiving feedback from local community members.

A community-centered street is coming soon…thank you to our partners at Hudson Square BID for giving us a sneak peak of how beautiful it will be!! 🌻🌹🌷

Drop by the NYC PIT Pop-Up during Climate Week 2026 on Sept 24 at the Oculus, where we’ll be sharing our new Neighborhood Needs Assessment Dashboard! Learn more: https://nycpitpopup.org/event/climate-week-macaulay-honors-fall-datathon-showcase-day-one/

@mayor.nyc.gov ’s new plan to make NYC streets safer is a huge step in the right direction, and we’re proud to see that several Open Plans campaigns made the list! Here’s a look at a few key components of the new Vision Zero plan that we’ve been working on 1/ www.nyc.gov/assets/visio...

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Improving our streets also lets us rethink how we use the space. Our curbs and roadways can be used for pedestrians, micromobility, buses, more public space like parklets and plazas, and so much more. Vision Zero will help us use our limited public space more efficiently.

As advocates for a livable city, with safe streets, expanded public space, and a better quality of life for everyone, we’re very excited by the opportunity to transform our public realm, starting at the street level. Now it’s time to get it done!

@mayor.nyc.gov ’s new plan to make NYC streets safer is a huge step in the right direction, and we’re proud to see that several Open Plans campaigns made the list! Here’s a look at a few key components of the new Vision Zero plan that we’ve been working on 1/ www.nyc.gov/assets/visio...

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Keeping the streets around our schools safe is a no-brainer for our kids. They deserve spaces to hang out, exercise, and play, along with safer pick-up and drop-off. We need School Streets to improve our children’s quality of life, and we’re thrilled to help make it happen citywide.

Curb management prevents illegal parking and will help us get a grasp on our chaotic curbs. With deliveries, taxis, double parking, conflicts with pedestrians, bikes, and more, a dedicated team is critical to creating better streets with enhanced safety and mobility.

@mayor.nyc.gov ’s new plan to make NYC streets safer is a huge step in the right direction, and we’re proud to see that several Open Plans campaigns made the list! Here’s a look at a few key components of the new Vision Zero plan that we’ve been working on 1/ www.nyc.gov/assets/visio...

Automated enforcement is an efficient and effective tool for keeping our streets safe. Expanding automated enforcement on all streets to include illegal parking like occupying a bike lane or loading zone is key to a safer New York.

Daylighting is a common-sense way to make crossing the street, which we all do countless times a day, safer. Keeping intersections visible makes pedestrians and drivers safer. Paired with better signals and hardened crossings, this is a big win for all New Yorkers.

Cars emit 3.5x more than freight & 13.5x more than buses, despite moving fewer people. They make up 64% of NYC's transportation emissions. Join our Climate Week panel, Reducing Driving as Climate Action, on policies that cut driving & emissions. 🌎 RSVP: https://luma.com/parking-70cz

Safer streets are key to improving New Yorkers' quality of life. We're grateful for the Mayor's focus on this issue and look forward to working together on solutions like low-traffic neighborhoods, school streets, curb management, and more. A better, safer city is possible!

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani@mayor.nyc.gov

No New Yorker should lose their life just trying to get around our city. We refuse to accept preventable tragedy as an inevitable part of living in New York. That's why we’ve announced more than 100 policies to make our streets safer over the next 10 years.

“It’s a vision for a people-oriented city. That doesn’t mean no driving, but that does mean that the design of our streets and public spaces is commensurate with the people who use it, the majority of whom don’t drive around the city on a regular basis.” www.thecityreporter.nyc/2026/09/15/s...

thecityreporter.nycMamdani, Here’s How to Do Better on Street Safety, Advocates PleadAfter failure by the Adams administration to meet bus and bike targets, safety activists want a lot more accountability from the current mayor.

Open Plans reposted

Clarence Eckerson Jr./Streetfilms

@streetfilms.bsky.social

Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs) are the newest transportation want in NYC communities & we're ready to go! Only ONE organization in the world @openplans.org @nyc.streetsblog.org has the film resources to see how that works! Watch them at the link below. www.streetfilms.org/featured/low...

streetfilms.orgLondon’s Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTN’s) Ultimate Resource Page — StreetfilmsIf you need some enlightenment about Low Traffic Neighborhoods…well you came to the right place! Films! Maps! Photos! Presentations! It’s one-stop LTN shopping!

Our new tool is out and ready to be used! This dashboard lets you analyze which communities need an LTN the most by using data like percentage of car-free households, commuting method, air pollution levels, recent crashes, & much more! Access it: neighborhoods.openplans.org

Want to turn your neighborhood into an LTN? Email organizing@openplans.org and let's work together to reclaim your streets from cut-through traffic, for you and your neighbors. 🧡 A special thanks to technologist & livable city advocate David Scatterday for helping build this!

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Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani

Rain or shine, sun or snow, you can now break bread outdoors year-round. Thanks to @cmrestler.bsky.social’s work, our favorite restaurants will no longer have to tear down and rebuild their setups each year. It’s official: Outdoor dining is here to stay.

📷 It’s official: Mayor Mamdani has signed Int. 655, making outdoor dining year-round in NYC! Thank you @mayor.nyc.gov, @cmrestler.bsky.social & @speakermenin.bsky.social; outdoor dining means more places to eat, gather, and enjoy our neighborhoods. This is a big win for people-centered streets. 📷📷