New York City will close 40 miles of streets to cars, mostly near parks, to expand the amount of space that pedestrians have to keep social distance, Mayor Bill de Blasio said in April. The ultimate goal will be to have 100 miles of “open streets” during the coronavirus outbreak, de Blasio added.
The mayor has been pressed by the City Council and bike advocates to open more streets to pedestrians and cyclists, and to give more recreation possibilities to New Yorkers. De Blasio had resisted the proposals, saying they would create challenges for law enforcement. The mayor also said he was concerned drivers might not obey the street closings, endangering pedestrians and cyclists.
Source: Crain’s New York Business