There's a movement afoot to restrict 14th Street between Irving Place and Sixth Avenue in both directions to buses, bikes and pedestrians during the upcoming L train service shutdown... and perhaps permanently.
Meanwhile, Transportation Alternatives has launched an initiative called "14th Street Peopleway: A New Way to Get Across Manhattan." There's a launch rally for this tomorrow evening at 6:30 in Union Square South. (Find more details here.)
Here's more from TA:
The upcoming shutdown of the L train will remove a vital link from the city’s transportation network. This will make it much more difficult for people who rely on transit to get across town in Manhattan as well as getting to and from Brooklyn. The hundreds of thousands of people that count on the L train will be forced to find other options.
While the repairs are unavoidable, there is much we can do to minimize the inconvenience for everyone. By dedicating 14th St to public transit, walking, and biking, we can maximize the usefulness of our limited street space and increase safety along this very busy corridor.
Here's a link to a petition to make 14th Street vehicle free.
Thanks to car-free dreamer Chris Castiglione for the info!
Worst idea ever. These blocks will merge with Union SQ and become and even bigger tourists destination making it impossible to get across town.
ReplyDeleteVery excited about this and can't wait to get involved!
ReplyDeleteHow would the stores and restaurants along 14th street get deliveries?
ReplyDeleteI like it!
ReplyDeleteI assume local traffic would have to be allowed.
I'd be happy with dedicated (and enforced)bus lanes and the select ticketing to use all bus doors like 34th St.
ReplyDeleteHow about banning all cars south of 59th street permanently? This is a pedestrian city, if you want to drive, GTFO.
ReplyDelete"How would the stores and restaurants along 14th street get deliveries?"
ReplyDeletethey won't be able to, that's what makes this plan ridiculous.
Funny how people suddenly become car rights activists anytime a pro-Manhattan, pro-pedestrian initiative comes up.
ReplyDeleteA dedicated bus lane is one thing. But where does the traffic go from 14th Street? It goes on the already crowded side streets. This is a stupid, selfish idea that must warm the hearts of every bike-Nazi and delivery boy!
ReplyDeleteA great idea. Although I would recommend streetcars over buses.
ReplyDeleteMay other cities have made similar pedestrian areas, as well as lanes for
Deliveries are of course made, but during restricted hours.
- East Villager
cmarrtyy said...
ReplyDelete"A dedicated bus lane is one thing. But where does the traffic go from 14th Street?"
The hope would be that the result is a reduction in private vehicle traffic and increase in public transit usage. As travelers do their own cost/benefit analysis, more would decide to use public transit than drive if the benefits outweigh the costs.
(Since building more highway lanes actually increases highway usage (and thus only temporarily relieves congestion; traffic just increases to fill up the new lanes and bring congestion right back up), then I a surmising that reducing lanes would have the reverse effect. Would be interested to see some real-world studies on this sort of project).
- East Villager
I am just waiting to see Spiderman and Elmo come south! First TGI Fridays on union and now this!
ReplyDeletewhoo!
1:57
ReplyDeleteWhen the bike lane was added to 2nd Ave traffic congestion increased to the point of nightmarish problems especially on late Friday afternoons, Friday and Saturday night. People don't stop and re-evaluate the cost of driving, they just do what they normally do... drive. Drivers don't give up cars at the first sign of trouble. Why? Easy. They don't want to depend on mass transit. Congestion pricing is the only answer. But the city is too politically weak. So traffic in the city will just get worse.
@10:48am: "This is a pedestrian city, if you want to drive, GTFO."
ReplyDeleteWait until you get older or have an illness/injury/disability that does not allow you to BE a regular pedestrian! You have no idea the delights that await you! (I know: you're SURE you'll never get older, etc.)
You seem not to care about accessibility for the elderly and disabled.
But hey, if any of the above happens to you, I guess YOU'LL be the one who has to GTFO!