New York City’s first-ever Car-Free Day, which coincided with the international Earth Day celebration, brought about a handful of street closures and even more images of city leaders using transit and riding bicycles.
Supporting #CarFreeNYC and taking the @NYCTBus. We can all do our part to make our planet greener. #EarthDay pic.twitter.com/VAO6stTep7
— NYC Public Advocate (@NYCPAJames) April 22, 2016
Most New York City households are already car free, so for the majority of New Yorkers commuting without a car is “just a fact of New York City life,” and designating a car-free day “is kind of like having a day that celebrates breathing.” But for many New York policymakers — or indeed politicians most anywhere — using transit or riding a bike is reserved for special occasions.
I'm taking the @eastriverferry today for #EarthDay @CarFreeNYC @ydanis pic.twitter.com/8KPatQrbQQ
— Costa Constantinides (@Costa4NY) April 22, 2016
That’s not good. How can decision-makers identify with their transit-riding constituents if they’ve never struggled to board a jam-packed train after waiting 20 minutes in a sweltering subway station? How can we expect our leaders to make informed decisions on bills related to bicycle safety if they don’t bike? If you’ve ever wondered if maybe there’s a connection between the region’s underfunded transit networks and the fact that most elected leaders don’t actually use transit, well, you’re not alone.
Celebrating #EarthDay and @CarFreeNYC by riding my bike to the office! pic.twitter.com/JT7NRymxGS
— I. Daneek Miller (@IDaneekMiller) April 22, 2016
Our hats go off to City Council Transportation Committee Chair Ydanis Rodriguez and his team for their efforts toward what we hope will be just the first of many more Car-Free Days to come. Car-Free NYC no doubt generated awareness about the negative impact of the automobile on New York City; hopefully the next Car-Free Day will do even more to reduce driving in the five boroughs.
Happy #EarthDay everyone! Join DDC Commissioner Peña-Mora in taking mass transit to celebrate #CarFreeNYC. pic.twitter.com/DsVaCm3rUo
— NYC DDC (@NYCDDC) April 22, 2016
To the elected and appointed figures in New York City and beyond: we hope you’ll join us on the subway, on the bus, or on a bike more regularly — and certainly before the next Car-Free Day.
Fotogs lie in wait for @BilldeBlasio, photograph him exiting Union Square subway on — wait for it — Earth Day. pic.twitter.com/vG99DxtroG
— Matthew Chayes (@chayesmatthew) April 22, 2014
