hate to tell you, New York people, but it's no different in any other touristic, popular city in the US or Europe. NY is not the only city on earth, thank the gods.
6
Let me know when the article about the bicyclists who ride on the sidewalks is coming.
24
Part of the problem is obvious to those of us who have lived in NYC for decades. With the influx of tourists in the most congested areas, visitors have no idea the simple rule New Yorkers use to attempt to quell the chaos. STAY TO THE RIGHT! Perhaps if signs were posted in the most congested areas, it would help alleviate people from walking four abreast down the center of the sidewalk, congregating in groups on the curbs and other irksome behaviors leading to increased congestion.
25
After two imperious mayors in tandem with their equally imperious traffic commissioners have wrought extensive damage to the streets of our city, we can only mourn and recall a time when our streets and avenues were uncluttered with their handiwork. Michael Bloomberg's mission seemed to be to teach New Yorkers a lesson for successfully resisting his congestion pricing, designed to protect silk-stocking Manhattan from contact with unwashed visitors from the outer boroughs. (I'll be honest. I just don't believe the statistics on improved safety for pedestrians. I want to see the books opened on how that conclusion was arrived at. Streets seem more perilous than ever.) For his part, Mayor De Blasio, alleged friend of the downtrodden, seems determined to prove that, with respect to urban design, he is at least as elitist as his predecessor. The only consolation in all this is that nothing that has been done is irreversible, that a future mayor will restore our streets and avenues to their once uncluttered vistas.
1
New York needs to begin rebuilding and widening these streets to accommodate the teeming masses. As a former New Yorker who visits from California four or five times a year, I am shocked at how often I need to literally walk in the street or bike lanes just in order to navigate my way around Manhattan. The same thing is now happening in downtown Brooklyn.It's truly awesome that New York is more popular than ever, as it should be...but it is the walking that makes New York great...not the cars, not the taxi's, not the trucks. If we have to limit the amount of cars that access Manhattan to increase the size of the sidewalks...than so be it. It has clearly worked elsewhere...it'll work in NY as well.
9
I am a transplanted West Coaster, used to open space and greater courtesy. In NY, when out for a walk with my husband, I have often returned home with 8 bruises. My husband plows ahead in a forceful way, which seems to make people part around him. Doesn't work for me! New Yorkers seem to sense that I will give way on overcrowded sidewalks, so don't slow down to accommodate my presence there or change course in any way. They just bang into me, never apologize and keep on walking at top speed. In the past 9 years, only one pedestrian who hit me apologized. He stopped, said "Oh ma'am - I'm so sorry. I didn't meant to bump into you." I immediately asked him where he was from. "Minnesota, why did you ask?" I told him because no real New Yorker apologizes for that. A NY friend of mine was banged into by a young man who kept walking away in spite of having knocked her to the ground. She is over 60 and the fall onto concrete sidewalk broke both her knees. She couldn't walk for over a year. A West Coast friend was visiting Manhattan for the first time when she accidentally stepped on the heel of a man in front of her on the crowded sidewalk. The fellow spun around, regarded the tourist with deep melancholy. He was an Hasidic Orthodox Jew and said: "2,000 years of suffering; and now this." She loved it! A real "NY moment to share with friends back home!" When I see a pedestrian storming towards me, immersed in texting, I now call out: "Collision!" Always works. They change course.
21
My husband and I enjoy our visits to NYC specifically for the energy of the city's people. The locals have been very friendly and polite, always asking if we need help. We are aware that New Yorkers are on a "mission"; however, I take offense to those quoting that we tourists are toxic. While the locals are your bread and butter, we are the dessert, spending approximately $7,000 on the Ameritania, Book of Mormon, Smith & Wollensky and Bloomingdale's. I cherish our visit to the crown of the Statue of Liberty and finding a relative who went through Ellis Island, our walks in Central Park and getting our Metro Card which allows us to get to Yankee Stadium and CitiField. Our last visit was during a UN General Assembly meeting. I did not hear any New Yorker complain about entire sidewalks and streets blocked due to the President's visit. There are so many great things about this city. May be the citizens need to take ownership and try to find solutions instead of blaming tourists or leaving these problems with their politicians.
18
A lot of strange comments on here. It is important that NYC's sidewalks are busy. Major cities exist for commerce and culture. They need the "beehive activity". Persons who can't get used to it don't belong in any major city. The problem as others have stated is that cars get too much space in NYC. Another problem is the "me" mentality. There are a number of cities with busier sidewalks not named London. The difference is people here tend to be more selfish about their space. Sorry - it is just true. The other issue is tourists. I'm glad for the tourists and the dollars they bring - BUT they don't understand the flow of pedestrian traffic. That said - I know how to avoid it. My schedule allows me to avoid Midtown and Lower Manhattan at peak hours. Aside from that - the busiest pedestrian area I pass is Fordham Rd. in The Bronx. Up there - you only get a few visitors going to Arthur Ave. or Fordham University. So it's not as much of an issue.
8
The death knell of a walking city.......when pedestrians can no longer walk in it. Infrastructure will need to be created so that streets are "double decker", with walking sidewalks on double layers so that such a huge volume of walkers can be accommodated. Too many rats running in the maze.
5
Despite the fact that I received a pretty good education in the Greater NY Metropolitan area, I can't think of any comment more sophisticated than "Boo freakin' Hoo".
5
I've spent many years now walking on NYC sidewalks, but I have to say that it's not just the overcrowding that's gotten worse, but the average New Yorker's level of self-absorption. I've been to cities all over the world, and I've never seen anything quite like it. Sure, the tourists can be annoying, but hey, they don't know any better, they've probably planned their entire year around making this one trip to our great city, and they're also spending money here. So I cut them some slack. But it's the large number of New Yorkers and commuters who either have their heads buried in their phones, or headphones cranked up, or--when it's clear they're going to converge on the same point with another pedestrian--simply take the attitude of "I'm coming through, and I'm in no mood for compromise, so get out of my way!" that is the most disturbing. That said, NYC sidewalks are indeed our freeways. So we need to follow some basic rules: 1) Stay to the right. 2) Don't stop short 3) Don't change lanes without signaling (trust me, somebody is right behind you!), 4) the slow lane is on the far right; and 5) if you want to text, pull over to the side of the road (or use voice command).
37
I don't know of any sidewalks in Manhattan that were made narrower to accommodate traffic. In fact, just the opposite. So, unless they are talking about Uber, that part is just mindless ranting of people who drank the Bloomberg Kool-Aid. Overdevelopment is the real issue here. Bloomberg wanted to re-zone Grand Central to allow the tear down of anything under forty stories to accommodate super hundred story high rises. But I do agree that they should ban the tens of thousands of Uber cars that have invaded. Although DeBlasio did try and failed.
8
"who stands at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and West 36th Street with a sign advertising a local pub."
Well! If that isn't an entire species of human obstacles we don't need blocking our sidewalks, I don't know what is. Are sandwich boards and other forms of street advertising considered protected speech? Maybe it's time to reconsider.
Well! If that isn't an entire species of human obstacles we don't need blocking our sidewalks, I don't know what is. Are sandwich boards and other forms of street advertising considered protected speech? Maybe it's time to reconsider.
18
i've been lucky enough to have a friend that lives in nyc - i visit for about a week at a time once a year. i've been there in every season except winter and have never experienced a problem walking on any street ~ columbus circle area to the village....it's all been more than truly wonder full to walk in such diversity, beauty and energy. paying attention to one's surroundings ~ bike messengers, etc., is all that one needs to do. count your blessings new yorkers ~ if i had the bucks, i'd be there in a second.
12
Less cars. More bike lanes and walking!
10
Bloomberg killed the city with his tourism and development - living there is not the aim - moving around in crowded spaces avoiding too many out of towner, does not make a better city to live in. It used to be habitable - why did he ruin our city?
7
Oh please - most places wish they had the tourism and development. NYC once was going broke... You prefer that scenario???
11
I am in Manhattan all of the time. The biggest problem on the streets seems to be rude people who are walking while texting, large groups of tourists who are with or without guides, lined up at corners and don't move, people who block entrances to shops in large groups and don't realize other people have to walk by, and unfortunately even though I hated Guliani as a mayor, at least he kept the intersections from being blocked. I cannot tell you how many cars stop in the middle of the street even though they cannot possibly get through. Police see this and do nothing. This would help greatly to allow pedestrians to keep moving. Anyone with permits to be tour guides in the city should be required to not have their groups block intersections. Or they lose their license.
12
They need to get rid of all the vendors hanging outside Penn Station trying to sell stuff.
17
And now some BRILLIANT combo of greed and City Hall stupidity allowed for WiFi kiosks along 8th Ave going down from Penn. Big huge honkin things that of COURSE have become the perfect spot for lovely characters to hook up to in the way of everyone. And of COURSE it's more lovely when they knock over one of many plastic "newspaper" dispensers (another blight from a much earlier era) to make a nice little seating area right in the middle of the sidewalk.
7
What I am really annoyed about is that the NYC administration and the NYC police tolerate or even support (by issuing permits) an ever increasing agglomeration of street vendors, food carts, etc. which really should be eliminated in a modern city. Take, for example, the entrance Penn's Station at 34St corner 7th Avenue; where literally thousands of pedestrians accumulate within minutes, and have to navigate a maze of food carts with hot charcoal grills, almond roasters, cheap sunglass, hat and odd books vendors and other useless stuff - it is a security risk; if anything happens, and a slight panic ensues, people will get seriously hurt because of this. There is so much talk about public safety now, but city officials do not think for two minutes ahead here , and instead continue to support or tolerate a medieval business concept.
11
What did city planners, politicians, and developers think was going to happen as they added more and more high-rise apartments and office buildings? Where were all those additional people going to go during rush hours and lunch hour? I walked through Central Park on a recent Sunday, and it was like walking on Fifth Avenue at rush hour -- jostling, no room for anyone. Manhattan, as an island, has a very finite amount of space. Building up instead of out only makes the sidewalk and street congestion worses as more and more people pour out of these huge structures onto already jammed streets. I dread to think what will happen when all those buildings on the West Side, from Battery Park up through the Upper West Side are all full. Where will those people go?
16
For decades NYC zoning allows for taller and taller buildings which of course mean even more people working on a small patch of land. Of course this urban planning, or the lack of it, has made $billions for real estate developers and somewhat increase NYC tax rolls. However, city planners and real estate moguls completely ignore the fact that there is a physical limit to the number of people Manhattan can possibly accommodate - on sidewalks, in subways, buses, cars.
NYC infrastructure is rotting away while the population density is worsening each year. And with the mega projects underway in Penn Yards on the west side, the ever taller and taller skyscrapers throughout midtown, and the relentless development of its waterfront this situation will only get worse.
NYC infrastructure is rotting away while the population density is worsening each year. And with the mega projects underway in Penn Yards on the west side, the ever taller and taller skyscrapers throughout midtown, and the relentless development of its waterfront this situation will only get worse.
9
Don't worry! Most of the wealthy people I barely ever in their apartments! And I don't any of them actually walk on the streets. Worry more about the sun being blocked from Central Park thanks to the last kiss to the wealthy from Bloomberg
3
The streets of NYC aren't just physically crowded. They are psychically crowded, too. Whenever I'm there I notice how noisy it is inside my hide. It's the thoughts of all the other people around me. You have to try very consciously to not let them in. I think it'd be a hard place to have any peace of mind.
6
LOL....one of the many reasons I love living in Colorado. Packed sidewalks be not an issue here.
1
Another thing. Those man-made islands of supposed bucolic bliss, where tourists (and maybe a few New Yorkers) can drink $12 cappuchinos while pretending they're not sitting in the middle of roaring traffic??? --- that needs a SERIOUS re-think...it may work well in Paris or Amsterdam, but not here.
12
So you are saying the streets should be given back to cars??? The only problem with pedestrian plazas is that there are not enough of them.
3
Crowding is a problem, the city operates as a huge tourist attract like Disneyland, and in the midst of that, New Yorkers are just trying to get to work and school. This is not easy with tourists gawking at skyscrapers, walking 3 abreast, walking on the left side of the sidewalk, or otherwise acting like clueless, self-entitled jerks. We have enough of those already, thank you.
The problem is that they also step right out into the middle of traffic, even when the sign says Don't Walk. Taxpayer dollars have to pay the NYPD to stand at intersections near Times Square and prevent tourists from stepping in front of speeding cars, apparently they do not care if they live or die.
As a bicyclist, it is not right for pedestrians to use the street and certainly not the bike lane as an extension of the sidewalk. If you must do so, be aware that at any time, a bicyclist could run you over. I have seen New Yorkers walk in the bike lane but they are very careful to look behind them and step out of the way when they see bicyclists. But most pedestrians don't do that.
If you step out into the bike lane without even bothering to look and get run down by a cyclists, it is no one's fault but your own. No one wants to run over a pedestrian, but there's only so fast a bicycle can stop. Using the bike lane as a place to teach your toddler to walk or stepping right out into it when you do not have the light and haven't even bothered to look - that will get you killed.
The problem is that they also step right out into the middle of traffic, even when the sign says Don't Walk. Taxpayer dollars have to pay the NYPD to stand at intersections near Times Square and prevent tourists from stepping in front of speeding cars, apparently they do not care if they live or die.
As a bicyclist, it is not right for pedestrians to use the street and certainly not the bike lane as an extension of the sidewalk. If you must do so, be aware that at any time, a bicyclist could run you over. I have seen New Yorkers walk in the bike lane but they are very careful to look behind them and step out of the way when they see bicyclists. But most pedestrians don't do that.
If you step out into the bike lane without even bothering to look and get run down by a cyclists, it is no one's fault but your own. No one wants to run over a pedestrian, but there's only so fast a bicycle can stop. Using the bike lane as a place to teach your toddler to walk or stepping right out into it when you do not have the light and haven't even bothered to look - that will get you killed.
4
Speaking as one of the "59.7 million tourists" in this year, NYC has outgrown its ability to manage human transportation, whether by bus, subway, sidewalks, motor vehicles, even bicycles. Albany doesn't care if NYC became gridlocked through visitors & residents & construction projects.
Our reason to be there: Y.A.G.P. finals- were held during the final week of April. It wasn't peak tourist season, but in specific locations, we experienced the seething masses of wall-to-wall humanity.
We managed well by researching & reserving prior to arrival as much as we could. Helped out greatly.
I salute NYC residents. It's a great city. We very much enjoyed our time there. Thanks for putting up with our bumbling & stumbling.
Sympathy goes out to its residents. There's been a lack of budget & upgrades to the subway system + a lack of effective policies to anticipate increasing & overwhelming crowds within an already overworked system. What I learned travelling through subway & sidewalk 'traffic', is that there's a depressing amount of grime the residents experience each day along with crowds. Air pollution on humid/hot days has to be at a level dangerous to everyone's health. Breathing is a laborious task in itself.
It's easy to see how violence emerges during heat waves when most are already stressed to the limit in these crowds. Misery pushes us to the brink of civilization. Not sure if there's any solution either.
Our reason to be there: Y.A.G.P. finals- were held during the final week of April. It wasn't peak tourist season, but in specific locations, we experienced the seething masses of wall-to-wall humanity.
We managed well by researching & reserving prior to arrival as much as we could. Helped out greatly.
I salute NYC residents. It's a great city. We very much enjoyed our time there. Thanks for putting up with our bumbling & stumbling.
Sympathy goes out to its residents. There's been a lack of budget & upgrades to the subway system + a lack of effective policies to anticipate increasing & overwhelming crowds within an already overworked system. What I learned travelling through subway & sidewalk 'traffic', is that there's a depressing amount of grime the residents experience each day along with crowds. Air pollution on humid/hot days has to be at a level dangerous to everyone's health. Breathing is a laborious task in itself.
It's easy to see how violence emerges during heat waves when most are already stressed to the limit in these crowds. Misery pushes us to the brink of civilization. Not sure if there's any solution either.
6
Tons of money pouring into subway. Lowest crime rate of any major city
5
The flow of commuters & cars in Washington Heights at the Port Authority terminal is even worse. Zero Vision when it comes to pedestrian safety and good luck getting any Northern Manhattan elected official to address the safety in the areas where Port Authority runs amuke. You can't get an answer from the Mayors office how they plan on closing additional hospitals (Beth Israel) but you have more foot traffic, more commuters and you will additional residents with more towers being built. Public safety is not being planned or addressed, and current office of city planning and mayors office have been bought out by REBNY.
3
Sociologist William H. Whyte once noted that New Yorkers were the most skilled pedestrians in the word. Yeah, we're great at that, too!
7
Once were. No longer.
Stop looking at your phone, pay attention, and walk to the right. These simple steps would go far to ease tensions.
21
The only real answer to this problem is a reduction of autos in the city, and it would have to be coupled with a big push in the area of public tranportation. If you look at other crowded cities, say Tokyo, you see massive disincentives to driving, and a much better public infrastructure than New York (better subways and trains, better management of sidewalk space, many underground malls that extend far enough to become the primary routes for pedestrian traffic).
As things currently stand, I do about 50% of my walking in the street when I commute from the Port Authority area to my job and anywhere else in midtown. In reply to some of the aggressive responses here from bikers, if you are hurtling through midtown on 8th Avenue during theater time, when there are hundreds of pedestrians on every block and one or two bicycles, and you run into someone at high speed, if you run into someone and try to continue, I can guarantee I will make sure you go nowhere. If you want to move 25 miles an hour on your bicycle, take it to the bike paths on the edge of the island; you don't have that right any more than I have the right to mow down while running 10-15 miles an hour.
As things currently stand, I do about 50% of my walking in the street when I commute from the Port Authority area to my job and anywhere else in midtown. In reply to some of the aggressive responses here from bikers, if you are hurtling through midtown on 8th Avenue during theater time, when there are hundreds of pedestrians on every block and one or two bicycles, and you run into someone at high speed, if you run into someone and try to continue, I can guarantee I will make sure you go nowhere. If you want to move 25 miles an hour on your bicycle, take it to the bike paths on the edge of the island; you don't have that right any more than I have the right to mow down while running 10-15 miles an hour.
8
Motorists act so entitled, like they have a greater right to the real estate because they are behind the wheel of a car. So rude, so angry, so oblivious, that their days are numbered.
2
My son walks with the use of a prosthetic leg, having lost one of his from Cancer. While skilled at walking on/with it, for obvious reasons, he maintains a slightly slower pace than most. Sadly, I've never seen him more stressed & exhausted than after a 2 day trip to Manhattan this past Spring to look at a couple of colleges in the city. Giving it his absolute best to keep up with the flow of foot traffic, he said he still felt, at times, like a human piñata. So much so, we had to duck into stores/cafes on multiple occasions just to give him a break from the "workout" the simpke act of walking down a sidewalk was proving to be.
He absolutely loved the city & schools we looked at. However, he (rightly, IMO) decided that the pace & general lack of common pedestrian courtesy rendered a move up there undesirable & unrealistic based on his condition. I honestly don't know how residents with even minor handicaps like his do it on a daily basis. That said, I salute you & am glad you're able!
He absolutely loved the city & schools we looked at. However, he (rightly, IMO) decided that the pace & general lack of common pedestrian courtesy rendered a move up there undesirable & unrealistic based on his condition. I honestly don't know how residents with even minor handicaps like his do it on a daily basis. That said, I salute you & am glad you're able!
10
You know, people just get used to it, at least sort of, but it can take a toll. One of the things that has struck me most about other places I have visited or lived in was how "easy" they were in the sense of amount of daily hustle and bustle related stress involved compared to New York. Other places may offer less in the museum and cultural events departments, but I have also found that I often found it easier to appreciate what they did offer and to just quietly think. Good luck to your son!
3
More pedestrians and visitors make for a difficult and irritating environment, but also speaks to the improved economy and the steadily declining crime rate in this vast metropolis. Some other US cities are wishing they had a similar problem.
5
There needs to be a separate enclosed walkway for tourists, keeping them funneled from one tourist point to another, keeping them away from the real NYC. Kind of like a Habitrail system - it's googlable. It can be filled with tourists and those Elmo guys.
13
Defensive walking is the new defensive driving for me now at age 83. I have been almost knocked over by inattentive walkers, by kids on scooters, and by cyclists.
13
And you people that live in these areas wonder why there is so much violence and death in your cities? Maybe the big picture eludes you but when a melting pot boils over everyone gets burned.
2
Sounds like you're carrying an awful lot of hostility mr second amend...
5
Native New Yorkers stay to the right when walking and it has always been an unspoken pedestrian rule to keep things moving along. Unfortunately this historic use of transversing public space in an orderly and efficient manner has been upended by clueless tourists, newly arrived immigrants and countless people looking down at their phones. Even the elderly are engaged in our smartphone obsession. While biking on a mixed use path this week I was surprised when I almost smacked into a women in her eighties busy checking her phone while she walked and I repeatedly called out to warn her of my approach. I was born and raised in New York City and it has almost become unpleasant to walk here anymore. The tourists clog the curbs waiting for the light making making it nearly impossible to penetrate the wall they form by not sticking to the right. Perhaps he hotels should give out cards with public space etiquette suggestions.
14
NYC is a crowded city, so of course there will be lots of pedestrians. But I have noticed that the biggest problem is consideration. Inconsiderate walking includes, of course, smartphone usage while trying to walk. But also, the wall of people in a group who block the whole sidewalk; the cyclists who decide to come down a sidewalk where pedestrians are clearly walking; the people who congregate at key spots such as store doorways, subway steps, or crosswalks and impede the flow of foot traffic; and the lack of awareness of when to form walking lanes to keep things going in both directions. Most of these problems happen because the pedestrians in question don't know or don't care that other people are around them, not necessarily simply because a lot of people are around.
8
You mention the crowded streets in SF's Fishermans Wharf and Castro. Alas the crowds at Fishermans Wharf and, to a lesser extent, in the Castro are tourists.
What's wrong with tourists? Unlike NYC, which is probably large enough to absorb tourists and still maintain its appeal to the natives, I have seen prime areas in SF ruined by the tourist trade. I so miss the sophistication that was Union Street and Ghirardelli Square. These spots now sell cheap tourist junk and the great restaurants are gone. I haven't been to these formerly favorite destinations for at least 20 years.
And unlike NYC, which is a walking city, touring SF is less energetic. Already having to contend with ever more congested streets, now we have huge, slowly moving tourist buses to wait behind for the next green light.
So it could be worse, NYC.
What's wrong with tourists? Unlike NYC, which is probably large enough to absorb tourists and still maintain its appeal to the natives, I have seen prime areas in SF ruined by the tourist trade. I so miss the sophistication that was Union Street and Ghirardelli Square. These spots now sell cheap tourist junk and the great restaurants are gone. I haven't been to these formerly favorite destinations for at least 20 years.
And unlike NYC, which is a walking city, touring SF is less energetic. Already having to contend with ever more congested streets, now we have huge, slowly moving tourist buses to wait behind for the next green light.
So it could be worse, NYC.
7
duh, just build double deck sidewalks! in the super congested areas.
1
Gee, I was thinking about a walking holiday in Manhattan, but after reading the comments here, I think I'll pass. As a tourist, I might want to, you know, look at something and risk being yelled at or assaulted by the locals.
You can't stop, let alone smell the roses.
You can't stop, let alone smell the roses.
5
All those vendors locals tourists commuters on 42nd St. between Broadway and 8th are creating a real health hazard. Not enough space, creating spillover that is very dangerous. The city is negligent in this regard, and the vendors have to go.
3
If we walked to our right on the sidewalk, we would all move a little faster. But there is always that salmon trying to swim upstream and slows things down by getting in everyone way.... WALK TO YOUR RIGHT!
7
The USA is not friendly to pedestrians. In some small well visited cities in California sidewalks are non existing. Is New York City turning into Kolkata (India)??
2
Hey pedestrians? If you want to walk in bike lanes, do so at your own risk. I promise you that if we collide while I'm on a Citi Bike, you'll feel it more than I will.
2
And I would appreciate it if the Citi Bikers, including two I encountered on my way home tonight, would stay off the sidewalks.
10
Stop beating up on tourists. They have a right to amble along and window shop. Tourism contributes billions to our economy. Get rid of the food trucks and trashy faux Vuitton bag sellers. Also the woman interviewed whose job appears to be holding up a sign advertising a bar- get rid of walking advertisements.
I am a fourth generation New Yorker who was born here. I can't stand more than three days in the city anymore, and then mostly away from the heavy traffic tourist areas.
I am a fourth generation New Yorker who was born here. I can't stand more than three days in the city anymore, and then mostly away from the heavy traffic tourist areas.
4
"Get rid of the food trucks and trashy faux Vuitton bag sellers. Also the woman interviewed whose job appears to be holding up a sign advertising a bar- get rid of walking advertisements."
And then all those people will make money how exactly...?
And then all those people will make money how exactly...?
3
Gee... just like they do in India. How quaint. You go, De Blasio. Now this is cultural vision on the advance.
1
Case in point: when walking up 6th ave. today at 8:45 to get to work at Rockefeller ctr. I come upon a family of tourists; Mom, Dad and 2 kids walking four abreast.
I love tourists - my first time in the city 44 years ago was as one - but please, have some awareness that this is a city, not a shopping mall, and that people actually live and work here.
I love tourists - my first time in the city 44 years ago was as one - but please, have some awareness that this is a city, not a shopping mall, and that people actually live and work here.
19
NYC has been a cesspool of humanity for a long time.
Who in their right mind would choose to live in that overpriced jungle?
Who in their right mind would choose to live in that overpriced jungle?
1
Time for elevated walkways?
I also wonder how much this crowding is being occasioned by our obesity revolution.
I also wonder how much this crowding is being occasioned by our obesity revolution.
1
i frequently ride my bicycle past port authority, headed up eighth avenue around five o'clock. of course, the bike lane is jammed with insane glassy eyed commuters determined to get their bus home, meanwhile the sidewalk is totally empty. you know, someday i may just veer over and drive home on the sidewalk. it seems only fair.
2
more illegal immigrants will solve this problem also.
6
The article's sub-topic of pedestrian/vehicle intolerance reminds me of Ratso Rizzo's ranting "I'm walkin' here! I'm walkin' here!" while slamming his hand on the hood of the cab that had braked to avoid hitting him.
Off-topic: Speaking of "Midnight Cowboy" did you catch Mickey's (Jon Voight) casino bartender attire in this week's episode of "Ray Donovan?"
Off-topic: Speaking of "Midnight Cowboy" did you catch Mickey's (Jon Voight) casino bartender attire in this week's episode of "Ray Donovan?"
1
I lived in New York and I come back at least twice a year so I have a snapshot view of change. This past week I was there and the congestion has notably increased, even accounting for the clueless three-abreast sisters from Altoona visiting in high tourist season. I'm used to people jostling but twice bike riders whizzed past so close that they were a danger. This is new. Next trip I will be on guard and will be ready to proactively push them away. We don't tolerate that sort of aggressive behavior from cars. Bikes really need to learn that pedestrians have the right of way.
14
I KNOW it's problem and I've known it since I was 12 and saw the
movie of the musical BELLS ARE RINGING: There was Dean Martin
singing "I Met A Girl" while wading through a sea of sidewalk
commuters. It's probably more FUN when you're in a musical!
movie of the musical BELLS ARE RINGING: There was Dean Martin
singing "I Met A Girl" while wading through a sea of sidewalk
commuters. It's probably more FUN when you're in a musical!
2
And yet, the City is willing to allow more businesses to take away parts of the sidewalk for cafes and vendors. Sidewalk space should be taken back for pedestrians.
6
Well, it's one way to live.
Red O. Greene, Albuquerque, NM, USA
Red O. Greene, Albuquerque, NM, USA
2
Thank God this isn't the case in Rome- or - no one would arrive at their destination with their wallets!
3
What happened to the advances in allowing people with disabilities to enjoy as much of life as people without disabilities? People in wheelchairs - with walkers - blind - or otherwise impaired - what about them? Crushed under foot, no doubt !
5
Huh? They have not been "disallowed", there are still out there, curb cuts are the norm, 23rd street has added audio street crossing features given there is a housing complex catering to the needs of the visually impaired in the vicinity.
Yeah, it is bad out there, but it's entirely ridiculous to suggest that anyone is being "crushed under foot". You're scaring the the out of town commenters here, who already think we're raging lunatics.
Yeah, it is bad out there, but it's entirely ridiculous to suggest that anyone is being "crushed under foot". You're scaring the the out of town commenters here, who already think we're raging lunatics.
2
Paris has wonderfully wide sidewalks. New York should follow suit.
4
Start making certain streets walking promenades - no cars at all.
7
It’s been pretty well established that traffic congestion tends to increase as more arteries are built or widened. Why would it be any different with pedestrians?
1
High time NYC to start banning auto and such other traffic from such streets, where pedestrian traffic is heavy. The other crucial aspect is that most people who live and work in Midtown Manhattan etc. do not own cars. The right thing to do is only allow automobile and other traffic when there is not over burdening pedestrian traffic. The other large Cities the world around have managed to close off all traffic to many such areas for better living and shopping for such city dwellers.
6
Teeny-tiny stable 3 wheeled covered mopeds--instead of elephantine SUV's. with one person inside. And there is no reason why they can't be electric and quiet. It would cut down street congestion by half. They are big in Europe--why not here?
10
Everyone gets out of their cars, or dismounts from their bikes and uses the sidewalk. Yet, the City has clearly failed to focus on the needs of the vast majority — pedestrians. A disproportionate amount of public space is allocated to cars and, although alternative transportation in the form of bicycles is vital, a disproportionate effort is being made to allocate public space to bicyclists. The truth of the matter is that bike lanes have been placed in areas where sidewalks should have been expanded at the same time, hence the creation of unnecessary conflict with desperate people walking where bicyclists have been told they can ride unimpeded. The City should move more quickly to limit the number of cars (in Manhattan, particularly), to expand sidewalks either permanently where needed or temporarily during periods of high pedestrian usage and to continue to create bike lanes.
5
I have not read an article recently that better captured the current zeitgeist in Manhattan or spoke of the daily travails I endure and see. Yes, I'm one of those "Street Walkers" because I find the sidewalks too dangerous. The transportation policies of the Bloomberg and De Blasio administrations have been completely tilted against motor vehicles and pedestrians and towards bicycles only, as buses and subways obtain no relief or improvements. These pedestrian plazas that City Hall crows about are for standing and relaxing at a crossroads, not for moving people along the everyday streets to get to their destinations. How about widening the non-plaza "everyday" sidewalks?
What are the biggest impediments causing sidewalk gridlock? 1) People looking at their phones while not looking where they're going. 2) New/taller building construction with no thought as to where to put the people when they exit the building. 3) Street vendors. 4) Tourists who do not know that it is a "sidewalk", not a "sidestand".
Eventually, the lack of ability for people and goods to get from point A to point B in Manhattan will cause a localized economic downturn and island recession. We must take back our sidewalks!
What are the biggest impediments causing sidewalk gridlock? 1) People looking at their phones while not looking where they're going. 2) New/taller building construction with no thought as to where to put the people when they exit the building. 3) Street vendors. 4) Tourists who do not know that it is a "sidewalk", not a "sidestand".
Eventually, the lack of ability for people and goods to get from point A to point B in Manhattan will cause a localized economic downturn and island recession. We must take back our sidewalks!
10
Crowding on the sidewalks would be alleviated if people would stop texting or checking their phones while walking. Most of all, tourists need to stop walking 4 or 5 abreast, refrain from stopping dead in the middle of the sidewalk to pull out oversize maps while turning in clueless circles, and avoid walking at a snail's pace in the middle of the block (stay near the buildings!), or standing around looking up and marveling at all the tall buildings. Yes, I know tourism is important to the city's economy, but when I visit another city I try not to inconvenience the people who live there. Why shouldn't we be able to expect the same consideration from those who visit NYC?
17
I walk in the street.
As often as possible.
I give bikes leeway, and watch out for taxi's and trucks...
And...?
As often as possible.
I give bikes leeway, and watch out for taxi's and trucks...
And...?
3
As others have mentioned, it's a matter of priorities.
Do we want on-street parking along curbs, or wider sidewalks and no curbside parking?
Should vehicular traffic be banned all together during rush hours in the most congested pedestrian corridors?
Some other localities have "round robin" during pedestrian-congested times. Traffic lights remain red in all directions for vehicles for an extended period, while the "walk" signs stay on allowing all-way and diagonal street crossing.
And then there are those irksome things that vary from person to person and place to place- the oblivious walking texters, the arm waving cell phoners, the multiple canine dog walkers etc.
Do we want on-street parking along curbs, or wider sidewalks and no curbside parking?
Should vehicular traffic be banned all together during rush hours in the most congested pedestrian corridors?
Some other localities have "round robin" during pedestrian-congested times. Traffic lights remain red in all directions for vehicles for an extended period, while the "walk" signs stay on allowing all-way and diagonal street crossing.
And then there are those irksome things that vary from person to person and place to place- the oblivious walking texters, the arm waving cell phoners, the multiple canine dog walkers etc.
10
On my last visit to NY I was just coming out of my Hotel in Midtown when I was hit in the face by a large camera held by a women journalist taking a scanning shot of some celebrity on a very crowded street.. She knocked my glasses off,cracked them and I guess my face looked threatening as she took off running into the street shouting nasty comments at me. Luckily I can't run anymore as i was pretty angry.
I go to NY frequently for fun and culture yet every year its worse, the bikes,the fools on their phones,trying to walk down a the street. I am not surprised at the crime/agression in NY streets as research into crowding has been proven to increase aggression in people and animals.
I hate to give up on NY but if i take cabs I just sit in traffic and now the sidewalks are nasty and crossing streets well you know whats that is like.
I go to NY for the excitement but its not much fun anymore.
I go to NY frequently for fun and culture yet every year its worse, the bikes,the fools on their phones,trying to walk down a the street. I am not surprised at the crime/agression in NY streets as research into crowding has been proven to increase aggression in people and animals.
I hate to give up on NY but if i take cabs I just sit in traffic and now the sidewalks are nasty and crossing streets well you know whats that is like.
I go to NY for the excitement but its not much fun anymore.
2
I was walking along THird Av. in east midtown a year or two ago holding a Starbucks. A woman who was evidently in a rush to get somewhere or not paying attention came too close and knocked the Starbucks out of my hand onto the ground, spilling the contents. I just stood there, and before I could say anything she shouted, as she continued on her way "That was NOT my fault!"
I am a sometimes commuter into / out of Penn Station, and have sometimes found myself in scenes like those pictured. It may be time for a no-car zone around this part of the city, or, perhaps "City of London" -style license plate readers and tolling programs to properly price automobile and commercial access (yes, this includes Uber and Black cars) into a scarce resource. Should the pedestrians win? In my opinion, yes. The technology exists- The political will- not so much.
13
I make the trip from Penn Station to my office near Columbus Circle 5 days a week and as other commenters have noted, I think a major portion of the blame for the crowded sidewalks has to be attributed to the excess of motor vehicles in Manhattan. Too many single occupant cars clogging the streets, taking up space that could be better used to expand sidewalks, bike lanes and dedicated lanes for buses. Trucks should be banned from 7AM to 7PM - make you deliveries early or late but not during the rush periods.
My walk to work should be a straight shot right up 8th Avenue. At 7AM, you can do the entire walk without having to walk in the street, even though it's fairly congested from 34th St. up to 43rd-44th St's. In the evening, from 5PM until after 7, it's impossible to make the trip back down to Penn without walking in the street, sometimes for the majority of the trip!
My walk to work should be a straight shot right up 8th Avenue. At 7AM, you can do the entire walk without having to walk in the street, even though it's fairly congested from 34th St. up to 43rd-44th St's. In the evening, from 5PM until after 7, it's impossible to make the trip back down to Penn without walking in the street, sometimes for the majority of the trip!
8
"as more people than ever live and work in the city"
This article is obviously more about Manhattan than New York City as a whole, and the statement above is way off base. The population of Manhattan was much higher 100 years ago. A little knowledge of the city, or at least fact-checking, is the least you can do.
This article is obviously more about Manhattan than New York City as a whole, and the statement above is way off base. The population of Manhattan was much higher 100 years ago. A little knowledge of the city, or at least fact-checking, is the least you can do.
12
Well you are both right. The 5 boroughs pf NYC has never had more people... Manhattan yes has less people though than 100 years ago - but it does have more jobs than it did then. Plus there are WAY more tourists now that the city is so much safer. So even though the article is more about Manhattan - the graphics show that in The Bronx - Brooklyn - Queens - pedestrian traffic is up by a lot too.
1
What about restaurants with "outdoor seating" that takes up half the sidewalk? . . . or bodegas that display flowers or groceries in plastic enclosed store extensions also taking up half the sidewalk. . . . and vendor carts? Are these takeovers of public sidewalks authorized? Do they pay extra fees or taxes? I've seen entire blocks with severely restricted sidewalk space due to this.
16
Let's not forget the Razors, skateboards, electric bikes and bikes on the sidewalks.
6
Shrink the roads. Make wider sidewalks.
6
There's a world of experience from (vehicular) traffic engineering that could come into play: overpasses, express lanes, congestion pricing, toll roads. Slap an E-Z Pass on your backpacks, folks, and pay for a decent commute like the rest of us! ;-)
1
I visited NYC this year for the first time in at least ten years and I noticed not so much MORE foot traffic but slower foot traffic. I did my time near Penn Station and it was like walking through glue! One thing I noticed, though, was how a single person ambling while talking on a cell phone (and there is always that person) seemed to really clog up the space around them. This article is fascinating to me because I was blaming it all on the cell phones (which were a little less ubiquitous last time I was there in the early 2000s). So, sorry for those mean thoughts, cell phone amblers! I guess you are not the main problem.
8
If pedestrian malls were given back to the pedestrian public, maybe that would ease the crush. I remember fondly dancing my way through crowded Times Square streets on my walking commute from lower to upper Manhattan in the 70s, 80s and 90s. The number of people hasn't changed, I'd wager. The number of plazas and construction sites has.
5
I don't think it's so much the crowds that make walking on city streets frustrating at times as it is more those who are a bit oblivious to moving along. They are constantly checking their cellphones, for example, stopping at intersections to do so, and otherwise part of a bottleneck caused by the equivalent of Sunday drivers.
But while walking can be somewhat taxing, the subway system has also become overloaded. The 6 train on weekends is significantly worse than rush hour. The L train platform can be 6 deep. So much new construction is only going to add to the problem, and it's become one huge real estate free for all with little to no concern for NYC residents.
But while walking can be somewhat taxing, the subway system has also become overloaded. The 6 train on weekends is significantly worse than rush hour. The L train platform can be 6 deep. So much new construction is only going to add to the problem, and it's become one huge real estate free for all with little to no concern for NYC residents.
17
I lived in Manhattan for years till I couldn't stand the chaos anymore. How about giving companies incentives to expand to other boroughs as well? It is physically impossible to have nearly all corporate white collar workers crammed in downtown and midtown Manhattan. I personally have made it a point to work for companies not based in Manhattan.
Also subway expansion is a necessity. The vast majority of commuters come through Penn Station and Grand Central. Subways should be able to move people who live in Westchester, Long Island and north Jersey. As the city expands so should the public transit systems.
Also subway expansion is a necessity. The vast majority of commuters come through Penn Station and Grand Central. Subways should be able to move people who live in Westchester, Long Island and north Jersey. As the city expands so should the public transit systems.
4
Neglected to mention two other actions spawning sidewalk rage. Tourists meandering 4 abreast dragging wheely suitcases and New Yorkers chatting in the middle of the sidewalk.
8
Yes, and some of the suitcases are really enormous, creating an equal, if not worse, problem on the subways. Personally, I think they should be required to pay two fares.
4
This is what happens when city panning is turned over to the real estate industry .
6
For gold?
1
Parking is the problem. We could double sidewalk width quickly and easily if we got rid of it. The city doesn't pay for you to store your clothes or your old bowling trophy, why does it pay for you to store your car?
9
The problem is not parking, it's the free parking for everyone. New York City needs to institute resident-only parking like Philadelphia, Boston, Berkeley, Atlanta, Chicago, etc.
4
Pedestrian plazas are great as long as they are kept free of vendor stalls. Greeley Square is a nightmare all day due to food stalls that block both pedestrian flow and the flowers that once were lovely. Broadway pedestrian plazas up to 40th have little markets and wooden platforms, making them impassable. Get rid of this added commerce so we can have room to move!
5
The reason is simple: DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT DEVELOPMENT.
Hey, there's a square inch of space over there: better DEVELOP it!
Hey, there's a development already there: let's DEVELOP it even more!
It gets to a point where one has to question: where does all this growth lead? Is growth endless and infinite? I doubt it, since nothing else that we know of in existence is endless and infinite, so one has to imagine that sooner or later all this growth and development will lead only to issues that ultimately collapse under their own weight.
But whatever, no time to listen, there's DEVELOPMENT to be done!
Hey, there's a square inch of space over there: better DEVELOP it!
Hey, there's a development already there: let's DEVELOP it even more!
It gets to a point where one has to question: where does all this growth lead? Is growth endless and infinite? I doubt it, since nothing else that we know of in existence is endless and infinite, so one has to imagine that sooner or later all this growth and development will lead only to issues that ultimately collapse under their own weight.
But whatever, no time to listen, there's DEVELOPMENT to be done!
3
Hey pedestrians? If you want to walk in the bike lane, do so at your own risk. I guarantee if we collide while I'm on a Citi Bike, you'll regret it more than I will.
2
@ Cg Makes you feel powerful, injuring someone? Putting them in a hospital? No moral, legal or financial cost to you? Just the pleasure of harming someone because they could go by your idiotic rules. Some day you might meet a truck driver with his oen standards. Who'll have more regret then? Good luck.
6
Not enough money in the world could make me want to go to NYC, much less, live there.
3
Another jealous out-of-towner. Notice how they all read the NEW YORK Times, though? And clearly not just for the national and international news.
9
Good. One less person to clog the sidewalks!
8
You don't make enough money to live in NY. What a loss to the city that Dayna from Arlington abstains.
1
Our sidewalks used to be about twice their present width, as one can see from old photographs. Rewiden the pavements, limit vehicular traffic to thoroughfares that can support them, and the problem is solved.
9
People keep saying things like build double deck sidewalks. There are also the anti-bike dead-enders, saying that we really need to get rid of the bike lanes because they take up SO much space.
But to me it's obvious. Bury the cars. I don't mean build a tunnel. I mean bury them.
Every time a car ventures over the 59th street bridge or through the Battery tunnel, hordes of space deprived pedestrians should leap on it, slash the tires, and, using small GWOT surplus entrenchment tools, bury it on the spot.
More space for people, less fumes, and fun for all concerned.
But to me it's obvious. Bury the cars. I don't mean build a tunnel. I mean bury them.
Every time a car ventures over the 59th street bridge or through the Battery tunnel, hordes of space deprived pedestrians should leap on it, slash the tires, and, using small GWOT surplus entrenchment tools, bury it on the spot.
More space for people, less fumes, and fun for all concerned.
7
We must begin considering how each and every bit of space within the collective public realm is utilized. Manhattan's evolution in transportation (and one that the outer boroughs and other cities will follow) lies in a designation that is not as innovative as it is antiquated: the reclaiming of street corridors for pedestrians. Prior to the mass ownership of private vehicles, pedestrians and streetcars both shared the city's network of streets and roads at full capacity.
Already, elected officials are advocating for the closure of 14th Street to privately operated vehicles, and its wholly accommodation of pedestrians and public vehicular operation. This idea is one that should be extended wherever feasible throughout Manhattan's streets. The corridors with the highest foot-traffic or those with the least vehicular traffic should be reactivated appropriately to enable the greatest movement of people as possible.
Already, elected officials are advocating for the closure of 14th Street to privately operated vehicles, and its wholly accommodation of pedestrians and public vehicular operation. This idea is one that should be extended wherever feasible throughout Manhattan's streets. The corridors with the highest foot-traffic or those with the least vehicular traffic should be reactivated appropriately to enable the greatest movement of people as possible.
11
Worsening the situation are the thousands of people not walking briskly but ambling along texting. My last visit I could not break through a large group of texters who occupied the way in front of me. You will see some of them in the photos in the article, texting and not even looking either way while crossing the street. This is a disease.
16
I agree that thumb-dragging is a disorder as I am often incredulous at the sidewalk texters' travels through pedestrian life oblivious to its inherent joys and, in this case, dangers: jay-walking while texting; walking an entire block without once glancing up from the screen; etc.
Tempt Fate, Sidewalk Text--the ultimate video game.
Tempt Fate, Sidewalk Text--the ultimate video game.
2
In Murray Hill and Kips Bay, we have to contend with the AIRbnb families slowly dragging their suitcases everywhere, not to mention the pushcart vendors and fruit sellers who position themselves in the tightest places possible. We have a City Council that feels it's job is to spend money, they never make laws that are useful or needed anymore.
11
The City Council spends its time renaming municipal buildings, bridges, and tunnels after Democrats.
To top off the absurd waste of time and money: The Hugh Carey Tunnel. Really?
To top off the absurd waste of time and money: The Hugh Carey Tunnel. Really?
6
I lived in New York for years, I return for visits. I wonder if the city could survive without tourists. Quit bashing them.
8
Are these pictures meant to show crowded sidewalks? Get some perspective. This is the least crowded I've ever seen a major thoroughfare here in Seoul.
3
My reaction too, although not in comparison to Seoul.
I remember trying to walk in Rome (on certain streets, at certain times - not everywhere at all times) when it was so crowded that one was simply pushed along (and I mean physically pushed, as in being in physical contact with the people around you) by the crowds. The pictures show nothing like that.
I remember trying to walk in Rome (on certain streets, at certain times - not everywhere at all times) when it was so crowded that one was simply pushed along (and I mean physically pushed, as in being in physical contact with the people around you) by the crowds. The pictures show nothing like that.
Give pedestrians primacy. Quit bowing down to cars. Problem solved.
11
I've worked in the city for many years and one of my client's was once located in the building across the street from the Empire State. I often had to psych up mentally to walk on 34th street because managing the crush of pedestrians was a psychic challenge of feeling like I was moving in lockstep with people walking in my direction and the pedestrians advancing and needing room to move out of their path as we crossed. I get the push of subway steps, platforms and cars during peak times of day but the city does feel more congested than ever in certain neighborhoods and vehicles (except strollers) while contributing to noise and pollution are not the problem.
http://curbappealinsleepyhollow.blogspot.com/
http://curbappealinsleepyhollow.blogspot.com/
At the end of the day, the sidewalks are too small. A reallocation of public space from streets/parking to sidewalks is needed.
10
Mr. Bloomberg wanted to get cars out of Manhattan. Congestion pricing and tolls would not have been a bad thing.
3
Absolutely. We could repurpose many areas to create much more space for pedestrians and bicyclists. You don't need parking on every street, nor do you need such an excess of automotive moving lanes.
We could even start by pedestrianizing Broadway between Union Sq and Columbus Circle.
We could even start by pedestrianizing Broadway between Union Sq and Columbus Circle.
1
The statement by Mr. Jenkins is a great description of the situation.
Too much space is dedicated to the minority of people who drive cars around Manhattan. We need to widen sidewalks and Prioritize bikes and buses in the reat of the street.
Many avenues have 4 or 5 lanes--too many. And often when I cross 5th or 6th (for example), even during rush hour, there are entire blocks with only a couple cars visible in either direction. Limiting most vehicles to two lanes would, I think, actually improve traffic flow by simplifying the street and reducing bottleneck effects.
So we need better street design with more space for pedestrians, bicyclists, and buses. Implementing the MoveNY Plan would also help a lot.
Many avenues have 4 or 5 lanes--too many. And often when I cross 5th or 6th (for example), even during rush hour, there are entire blocks with only a couple cars visible in either direction. Limiting most vehicles to two lanes would, I think, actually improve traffic flow by simplifying the street and reducing bottleneck effects.
So we need better street design with more space for pedestrians, bicyclists, and buses. Implementing the MoveNY Plan would also help a lot.
20
Absolutely. We need to reallocate space from automobiles to pedestrians. There should be a lot wider sidewalks in many areas and many more pedestrian only streets.
4
I am a Fitbit wearing pedestrian. I walk everywhere often days clocking 8 miles. I love walking, it's an easy exercise to fit into my day. But the traffic is overwhelming, I take my life into my hands at every cross section. Drivers do not respect pedestrians, in fact they have little patience for people on foot. The sound of impatient horn beeping during rush hour is ridiculous. It's all ridiculous. Mayor Bloomberg had the right idea of bar traffic from the most congested areas of from 14th street to 59th street from 1st avenue - 10th avenue. NYC certainly has enough public transportation, including ferries. There is no reason for single occupants to drive their polluting private living rooms around the city while venting their anger on pedestrians.
The problem like always is the Upstate government located in Albany. We need an open public discussion on the problem of traffic congestion, its impact on the city infrastructure, air quality, our lungs and our safety. I am certain the private parking garages have a large lobby to understandably protect their businesses. But there must be someone, some group with imagination and intelligence to find a solution to make this city more humane and habitable.
The problem like always is the Upstate government located in Albany. We need an open public discussion on the problem of traffic congestion, its impact on the city infrastructure, air quality, our lungs and our safety. I am certain the private parking garages have a large lobby to understandably protect their businesses. But there must be someone, some group with imagination and intelligence to find a solution to make this city more humane and habitable.
21
The downside of being in the theater district is the obstacle course to any theater or restaurant in the area. Tourists have no idea that they create a people jam and take their time strolling or on the other end simply elbow people to get through. When I'm in that area I also prefer to walk in the street. Bike lanes are a burden on everyone - yes, really. Bikes play chicken with bus drivers. They never pay attention to any rules just gliding on by when the light says stop. And it's not just bikers! As for solutions, I live in what Manhattanites call an "outer borough". And in a few years I will likely leave NY altogether. I have lived here most of my life and I cannot abide it anymore. Done.
6
Two things have to go to free up sidewalk space for pedestrians: Sidewalk dining and side-by-side baby strollers.
Sidewalk dining takes up at least half the space on sidewalks and creates bottlenecks. Yes, it's nice and real feature of the City. But limit it to lightly-used side streets.
Side-by-side baby strollers are obnoxious. Mommy pushes ahead expecting the sea of pedestrians to part before her. Sorry, my dear, use a front-and-back stroller. Your tykes will have to deal with it.
Sidewalk dining takes up at least half the space on sidewalks and creates bottlenecks. Yes, it's nice and real feature of the City. But limit it to lightly-used side streets.
Side-by-side baby strollers are obnoxious. Mommy pushes ahead expecting the sea of pedestrians to part before her. Sorry, my dear, use a front-and-back stroller. Your tykes will have to deal with it.
22
Sidewalk dining most definitely does not take up half the space on sidewalks simply because most restaurants don't offer sidewalk dining. Additionally, restaurants with sidewalk dining pay enormous fees relative to the space used. For a 250 SF sidewalk cafe, the various fees total around $15-20k per year. I'd wager those hefty fees are why most restaurants don't have sidewalk dining. Not to mention sidewalk cafes are a nice luxury loved by lots of people.
From economic and magnitude perspectives, the key driver behind the issue is the amount of public space dedicated to extraordinarily cheap parking. The vast majority of parking spaces are free and metered spaces charge very little (with respect to the true value of the land) only during certain times. This amounts to an enormous subsidy for cars by taxpayers/pedestrians. (On top of that, you can factor in other costly negative externalities such as air pollution, noise pollution, accidents, etc., but I won't go into that.)
That's where you start if you want to address sidewalk congestion.
From economic and magnitude perspectives, the key driver behind the issue is the amount of public space dedicated to extraordinarily cheap parking. The vast majority of parking spaces are free and metered spaces charge very little (with respect to the true value of the land) only during certain times. This amounts to an enormous subsidy for cars by taxpayers/pedestrians. (On top of that, you can factor in other costly negative externalities such as air pollution, noise pollution, accidents, etc., but I won't go into that.)
That's where you start if you want to address sidewalk congestion.
4
Agree. SIdewalks are fairly wide on the avenues in my Turtle Bay neighborhood, yet heaven help you if you get stuck in the vicinity of a mommy with one of those double strollers, or worse, in the vicinity of two mommies or two nannies slowly pushing those things down the street as they enjoy a nice chat.
1
Yes, let's build more giant residential towers and more hotels. Builders pay off city officials for permits and variances, put 'em up and leave. The Upper West Side, Hudson Yards, downtown Manhattan, and now Long Island City are all being transformed by huge towers. And forget downtown Brooklyn. Visiting BAM recently I hardly recognized the area. It all adds to more and more pedestrians (and hope our infrastructure, sewage treatment, water, can handle the volume). Where will it all end? Some say, if you don't like it, leave. But when you make your living here and happen to like the city, it's very disheartening. Next topic: cell phone users who wander around the sidewalks oblivious to those around them and those who stop on crowded subway steps to check their phones.
71
Give the sidewalks back to the pedestrians and not the food vendors. Exiting the subway at Columbus Circle is a good example of the the City's insensitivity to the walking public.
5
I've walked and jaywalked here all of my life,and negotiating the sidewalks has become a test of my patience. People, in general, seem to be totally unaware of others around them,mostly because they are hypmotized by their mobile devices : blithely sauntering across busy intersections ,coming to a dead halt on crowded subway steps, standing in groups gawking at their phones on crowded corners. Can you all just pull over to the side for a few blessed seconds ? This, in combination with the total sell out to real estate encouraged to build bigger,higher demands a new way of planning for pedestrian traffic . Stop thinking about malls for tourists,and consider the needs of residents and workers for a change...
8
Most of these comments are missing the point. It isn't just crowding. People are now WALKING IN THE STREET just to get from here to there. Plus, bicycles zoom past. I've lost track of the number of times I have been body-slammed, hit hard by passing arms, shoulders, briefcases, purses, backpacks. It's a mess. And if you need to get to an appointment, it is very difficult to get there on time by sticking to the sidewalk. The vacationers who posted don't see a problem. Try staying here a year, and rush back and forth to Penn Station twice a day during rush hour. Then get back to us.
6
Give the tourists the I love NY manual which teaches them the right and only way to walk-brisk, to the right, if you want to look up, go to the side, no selfies mid stride and smile, just because we are still trying to shake the rude rumors.
5
Whining New Yorkers ??I don't believe it. As Yogi once said.. "Nobody goes there because it's too crowded".
1
Maybe if people stopped gazing into their smart phones while they walk around, that would help things move and be more orderly. They don't look where they are going and walk around like zombies.
10
I was in NY last December for a holiday dinner. Navigating the crowds was impossible. Perhaps if there hadn't been so many tourists it would have been ok but it was complete chaos. I'd never seen NY (more like Manhattan) streets so bad.
I will skip the dinner this year.
I will skip the dinner this year.
2
Too many people in too small an area. With taller and bigger buildings this was bound to happen. A ratio of building occupants to sidewalk space could be estimated and sidewalks, parking spaces, and public transportation designed based on those numbers. It's called city planning.
"Freedom" to have unchecked growth has allowed this and overcrowding in public transportation to happen.
"Freedom" to have unchecked growth has allowed this and overcrowding in public transportation to happen.
8
First of all, I'm getting sick and tired of the car culture being blamed for the crowding sidewalks for NYC. It's so easy to scapegoat us motorists even if there is no evidence just promote things such as road pricing and pedestrianized streets, which do nothing more than add to the problem rather than help it. In reality, closing off streets to vehicular traffic just creates more traffic on the surrounding streets, but the anti-car fanatics will never admit to that. Even the MTA found that closing off Broadway on both Times and Heralds Squares was bad for their buses. Removing parking spaces from streets will cause motorists to circle others looking for spaces as well, but those who don't drive will always claim that it's never an issue. Some have to understand that when you live in a very dense city such as NYC, you can expect something such a crowded sidewalk. If you don't like this, then leave for somewhere else. I feel the real problem is over development in which developers are building so much with little to no regards to the existing infrastructure. I say that this should be fixed first before allowing such a building boom. However, the problem is that much of NYC has such little space for anything and that's what leads to it being so supersaturated. Keep in mind that Mike Bloomberg was a big friend to so many developers and pretty much never met one that he said he didn't like.
6
Put your cell phones in your pocket and Walk.
16
Ban private cars!
7
I was in NYC recently in April. The traffic congestion was astounding and hopeless. To get anywhere reasonably quickly I had to walk, except for the crosstown bus on 79th. No wonder you guys walk everywhere. Didn't allowing Uber just worsen things?
7
We're working on it. The city is slowly but surely pedestrianizing areas and giving priority to transit.
Problem is, too little too late.
Problem is, too little too late.
One thing that would help everyone is the understanding that any bit of inconvenience imposed on you by others during your walk will result in a less than 2 second change in your time of arrival at your destination. And often those 2 seconds are erased when you reach a corner and have to wait for a walk signal that you would have had to wait for anyway - but you would have reached that corner 2 seconds earlier.
1
Not true, 2 second delays on top of 2 second delays result in missed trains, resulting in 10 minute delays and the domino effect begins. Your 2 seconds becomes my 20 minutes. You have no idea the connections that people need to make and the delays caused by missing them. It's basic fluid dynamics. Keep whatever meandering pace you like, but do it out of my way. If you want to delay yourself fine, but don't delay others thinking it's inconsequential. You're not entitled to decide what's right for others, you clearly have no idea. Even if I just want to keep moving for the sake of keeping moving it's not your right to decide that I can't do that Granny. Get out of the way! And if you text and fiddle with your phone and think you can walk down the street at the same time the common courtesy I show everyone automatically is not coming your way.
2
Not only is what Npeterucci writes correct, but I believe the MTA itself has pointed out, vis a vis people who stand in subway doors to hold the train for a friend and other naughty behavior, the domino effect all the way through the subway system when this happens.
2
The easiest thing is to be pushy and aggressive. A "real" New Yorker maintains a respect for and graciousness towards others while in the thick of the jungle.
4
Stay to the right. Pretty simple. Most people blame tourists. But it's native NYers that walk right down the middle like they own it.
3
Yes! I'm daily frustrated by people who don't seem to have ever heard the saying, "Bear to the right." It's not so mysterious; just walk as you drive.
1
Patrick O Brian, speaking of London in the early 19th century, complained about "the bumpkins, gazing about them like oxen". Sounds like Times Square.
3
Stencils and paint are cheap. The city could stencil directional arrows and "KEEP TO THE RIGHT" signs in congested areas. Many cities have stenciled "DISMOUNT YOUR BIKE" and "NO SKATEBOARDS" on their sidewalks. Others use an outline of a bicycle with a line through it.
When confronted with an oblivious, texting walker, some pedestrians call out "Heads Up" rather than moving out of the way ... in other words, making the "texter" responsible for his/her behavior.
When confronted with an oblivious, texting walker, some pedestrians call out "Heads Up" rather than moving out of the way ... in other words, making the "texter" responsible for his/her behavior.
4
Another reason why New Yorkers have a poor quality of life.
1
>>>>>
“Humans on the Earth behave in some ways like a pathogenic micro-organism, or like the cells of a tumor or neoplasm. We have grown in numbers and disturbance to Gaia, to the point where our presence is perceptively disturbing…the human species is now so numerous as to constitute a serious planetary malady. Gaia is suffering from Disseminated Primatemaia, a plague of people.” As E.O. Wilson points out, “Darwins dice have rolled badly for Earth.”
James Lovelock
“Humans on the Earth behave in some ways like a pathogenic micro-organism, or like the cells of a tumor or neoplasm. We have grown in numbers and disturbance to Gaia, to the point where our presence is perceptively disturbing…the human species is now so numerous as to constitute a serious planetary malady. Gaia is suffering from Disseminated Primatemaia, a plague of people.” As E.O. Wilson points out, “Darwins dice have rolled badly for Earth.”
James Lovelock
3
One way to deal with this would be to get the carts and vendors off the sidewalks. They are ridiculous and obnoxious
5
“Sometimes, they’re rude. They’re on top of you, no personal space. They’re smoking. It’s tough.”
Well they are typical liberal easterners. Hasn't changed in years
Born and raised in Queens, the motto back then was "After me you came first"! Smartened up when I joined the Navy, saw how the rest of the world enjoyed life and never came back
Well they are typical liberal easterners. Hasn't changed in years
Born and raised in Queens, the motto back then was "After me you came first"! Smartened up when I joined the Navy, saw how the rest of the world enjoyed life and never came back
NYC a 'walking' city? Baloney! I have been all over the world and NYC has too much concrete, too few parks. Goodness, it is so mismanaged that a vehicle driver can still drive south and right into Manhattan without even paying any toll at all. And now you wonder why the sidewalks are crowded? Go to Paris or Buenos Aires to know what walker-centric city planning looks like.
6
NYC has an enormous amount of parks. Midtown doesn't represent the city.
Though I agree that we need congestion pricing/MoveNY yesterday.
Though I agree that we need congestion pricing/MoveNY yesterday.
2
In Midtown, when waiting to cross with fellow pedestrians, it is sometimes four rows deep behind me. The opposite curb has equal numbers yearning for your side. At the white flash of the walk signal, it becomes a battle scene from Braveheart. One day I am just going to yell "charge!"
4
At least ban the smoking.
2
Navigating any sidewalk or crossing the street has become a test of wills. Attempting to drive is another complete test of your skill and patience. Bicycles have added to the cacacophony with a lack of standards and observance of any laws. Walker's beware! Drivers have your insurance ready! On your mark, get set, GO!
1
When I visited Vienna, I noticed that there were arrows painted on walkways ...it would help a lot if pedestrians always walked to the right, much like the lane arrangements in our roads...stay to the right,..no more than two people abreast and walk at a relatively brisk pace...
4
Perhaps New York is no longer a world class city. New York seems to have more in common spatially and in terms of infrastructure with Jakarta, Lagos or Sao Paolo than with London, Paris, or Tokyo.
5
I adore NYC. The crazy sidewalks with people rushing, pushing, jostling to me is the sign of a vibrant city going places. In the midst of all this chaos, as a young solo tourist, I found wonderful New Yorkers who took a moment to guide me and stop me from getting lost in the urban jungle. I would live here in a heartbeat and relish the chaos!
7
Most people in America don't know how to walk in a crowd. This includes many in New York who were raised in the suburbs. Americans are typically asleep while they walk, looking around, turning and talking to their friend, not anticipating what's ahead.
But sidewalks need to be wider and more streets need to eliminate car parking. Public transit could be improved to put people closer to their destination as well.
But sidewalks need to be wider and more streets need to eliminate car parking. Public transit could be improved to put people closer to their destination as well.
8
New York is turning into Hong Kong
2
Who needs sidewalks at
4:30 AM
Sunday Morning
While walking up the middle of 5th Ave
Not a soul or a cab in sight
Just the long string of Traffic Lights going from Red to Green and back again.
4:30 AM
Sunday Morning
While walking up the middle of 5th Ave
Not a soul or a cab in sight
Just the long string of Traffic Lights going from Red to Green and back again.
1
Worked many years in mid-town, the only way I got back to NYC is kicking and screaming,
1
NY, NY the town so nice there's no room for anyone nice.... Crowded sidewalks? Talk about first world problems. Deal with it or move.
"Then let them die ... And decrease the Surplus Population."
Forgive me my Snark-Iness, but I had to work that word, "Surplus" into the Indictment. NYC has a surplus of too many conflicting things. David, of Manhattan, says it, but gets lost in his verbosity.
Manhattan has to find a way to move peoples efficiently, regardless of their choice in how they want to get where they're going. That means you Above-Ground Street-Racers will have to Give-Way, but NYC has to make your alternatives more attractive.
Public Transportation needs beefing up, if you want to reduce Auto-Crowding.
Now, who is this Upstart from Greer (pronounced "Grrrrr"), SC?
Born N.Y. Hospital, 15 August 1947, 04:00.
Until April 1978, Lived NYC-Metro-Area (Murray Hill, and what you Upwardly-Mobile now call "Clinton" - Yuck!)
Forgive me my Snark-Iness, but I had to work that word, "Surplus" into the Indictment. NYC has a surplus of too many conflicting things. David, of Manhattan, says it, but gets lost in his verbosity.
Manhattan has to find a way to move peoples efficiently, regardless of their choice in how they want to get where they're going. That means you Above-Ground Street-Racers will have to Give-Way, but NYC has to make your alternatives more attractive.
Public Transportation needs beefing up, if you want to reduce Auto-Crowding.
Now, who is this Upstart from Greer (pronounced "Grrrrr"), SC?
Born N.Y. Hospital, 15 August 1947, 04:00.
Until April 1978, Lived NYC-Metro-Area (Murray Hill, and what you Upwardly-Mobile now call "Clinton" - Yuck!)
That quote refers to anyone on a smart phone yapping or texting on the street or the sidewalk. Dickens was very prescient!
Mostly this is Manhattan -- how dense can Manhattan get?
A lot of areas in the Bronx are pretty damn dense.
Manhattan was accusing actually more dense in the past too.
Manhattan was accusing actually more dense in the past too.
1
Bike lanes are for bikes. Please don't walk in the bike lanes, unless you want me to yell "Bike Laaaaane" at you as I ride past on my Citibike. It's for your own good.
5
I won't walk in your bike lane if you stop at pedestrian crosswalks. Traffic laws apply to bikes, too, you know.
11
And may I add, Possum, stop *at* pedestrian crosswalks, not *in* them and blocking our passage.
1
I yield to all who have right of way. If no one is in the crosswalk, and no cars are coming, I'm through that red light. It's New York. I gotta go.
2
When I was a young man in 1966, I ventured to visit New York City and never went back. I grew up in a Wyoming town of 2,500 population so NYC was a scary experience. Even then the walkers were abrasive, rude and pushy. I guess things have gotten worse if it's possible. I consider a stroll somewhere in the middle of Nevada where you might meet someone who wants to talk with you for an hour or so refreshing. You really have to love New York to be a New Yorker.
3
Trying to pass people walking three abreast on the sidewalk, weaving my way around tourists stopping for selfies, bumping into an engrossed texter Tuesday night, a word occurred to me: "ped-spread".
People! Respect NYC's sidewalks and its rules!
People! Respect NYC's sidewalks and its rules!
9
Ped-spread! perfect.
1
Sidewalk vendors and food carts should be in parking spaces in the street and pay for the privilege. Free newspaper boxes have to go.
5
Ban the Cyclists - I work in lower Manhattan and I am afraid to WALK on the Sidewalk as I am unsure which side a Cyclist will swipe me and keep on biking.
I mostly use the long passageways in the Lower manhattan area to go from 2 points - yes at some point I will need to surface - but I try and minimize that.
To those who are law abiding / Civic minded Cyclists - you do not even make up 1% of the bicycle ridership of NYC.
I mostly use the long passageways in the Lower manhattan area to go from 2 points - yes at some point I will need to surface - but I try and minimize that.
To those who are law abiding / Civic minded Cyclists - you do not even make up 1% of the bicycle ridership of NYC.
2
You have all these people commenting about how they do not like how it is so crowded. Since nothing has been solved yet, then why not just leave the city if it annoys them so much. If you live there then accept the standards, you are not going to be able to solve it yourself, it will take time. Consider having policeman or police guards patrolling the sidewalks. If it gets to crowded as people walk, stop them and tell them to hold on as they let other people get ahead far enough to where these people will have space and more comfort to walk.
1
Yes! I love the comments! What they said: Massive private car reduction now (special needs transport, PUBLIC busses/transport remain), dedicated (above/below ground) walkways, widened sidewalks, reality check on pedestrian road rage/intolerance (get a clue, we're in this together genius), expanded maintained subways, real New Yorkers embracing their edge and checking tourists transplants and other clueless sidewalk/subway molasses!
Why, dear god, why, do we keep trudging along this way?
Why, dear god, why, do we keep trudging along this way?
2
Perhaps the City should put together a pamphlet and launch an advert campaign on sidewalk etiquette. Simple common sense stuff, for example, if in a group you do not walk 3, 4 or 5 abreast on a crowded sidewalk and in the rain use the minmal size umbrella, not the golf umbrella big enough to shelter a foursome. And pay the attention where you walk, look where you are going rather than becoming immersed in what is on the screen of your smart phone. As I said simple common sense stuff, no?
3
I don't know, maybe we can build 400 fewer glass towers a month. If Michael Bloomberg hadn't rezoned so many vast swaths of the city without a single thought paid to capacity, we might not have added as many new people to the toxic stew of inattentive walkers, food carts, sidewalk sheds, and immobile vendors.
5
The solution is to get up early and beat pedestrian traffic!
This article and all the comments are exactly why you could not pay me to live in NYC.
1
When streets and avenues are crowded, can't we walk single-file, right side as taught years ago, in city schools?
The worst are tourists and clueless meanderers, who walk two or more abreast, gawking/talking/emailing! Sheesh!
The worst are tourists and clueless meanderers, who walk two or more abreast, gawking/talking/emailing! Sheesh!
3
The most over-rated city in America.
1
Funny...my husband was recently in Manhattan on business, and commented that it was so nice to be out and about on a warm evening, with load of other people enjoying the crowded sidewalks. Where we live we don't even have sidewalks!
4
I lived in Manhattan for 20 years. But I got out. New York isn't "exciting", it's too many rats in the box.
2
Fund the city coffers by ticketing people who walk and text at the same time.
6
Pedestrians should not cross streets at all , but use underground tunnels , with these tunnels in place pedestrian traffic keeps moving and that prevents the bottlenecks , also since pedestrians will not cross streets , then guard rails between streets and the sidewalk become entirely practical eliminating the problem of pedestrians in the streets - I ve seen this concept in use in Kiev and Moscow and other former Soviet cities who had massive side walk crowds but no congestion because no one ever had to stop to cross
9
Jamming people into tunnels doesn't sound like a good idea.
2
That actually has a negative effect on walkability and is expensive. Better to make more streets ped only and expand sidewalks elsewhere.
Most often, pedestrians who have the choice to cross via tunnel - which may have burned out lights and smell of urine - or cross on the street itself will choose the street, which is more convenient, sunnier, and safer. Put another way, would you choose to go up and down the equivalent of subway stairs if you did not have to? Part of the answer, instead, is to make the pedestrian experience smoother - by fining, for example, "distracted walkers" messaging on their phones, especially in congested areas. Signs could be put up warning that a pedestrian is in such a zone. Also, have a campaign to keep pedestrians on the right (vs. left) side of the sidewalk while going uptown or downtown. This would remove pedestrian bottlenecks.
2
As someone who walks a frenzied 15 minutes from Penn Station to Madison Square Park every day, I can tell you from experience that the biggest problem is the same on the highways: distracted walkers texting, talking, tapping, swiping and meandering when everyone else is on a transportation mission. These miscreants can be identified braying like lunatics to no one in particular, ear buds in, stopping in mid street or sidewalk to punctuate a point. There ought to be a law, or at least a pardonable capital offense. Shut up and walk you dolts. What you have to say is not that important. To anyone.
22
My favorite is the full blown screaming and crying fit, in public, full volume on the phone. Not a shred of shame! Hello Millenials!
1
Too many people. Here there, everywhere. Come to Denver. It's getting overwhelmed. A sign of things to come.
This has become a real problem for bike riders. Pedestrians clog the bike lanes, which are nearly as crowded these days.
7
Looking at the accompanying photo, one must say that the fatter Americans become the more room they take up on sidewalks. Maybe the issue is girth and not numbrs.
5
There's one guy in the middle that seems to be overweight, the rest are normal weight.
2
Walking the streets of Soho is like standing in line. Please get rid of the trinket sellers. I'm all for people making a buck, but sidewalk congestion infuriates everyone.
5
And, they call this Civilization and Progress.
I'll take small town living over this chaos any day.
I'll take small town living over this chaos any day.
What does Seattle have to do with NYC? (can we learn to stick to topic). Crowding in one problem but filth -- and stench are others. Around Port Authority there seem to be layers of grease on the sidewalks-- plus the panhandlers do not help.. (move them along please.) Has soap been invented yet? PA and this applies to subways as well (maintenance anyone) . Side walk and crossings conditions can also be shocking and PS can we get rid of all granite sidewalks which are extremely slippery during cold during icy or wet weather.. (34th St. TA par; also 96th St. to say nothing of public cost.) And get rid of barriers-- 50th ST-- Radio City Music Hall. fifth Avenue can be strustrating at X-mas time. Well, in 35 years with 2 billion more people on the planet.. Did I say anything about population control...and sending immigrants to the less populated areas of the country. (Not sure how much free choice you get when you are living off the public dole. )
2
Back when I was active on the streets of Tokyo, rushing from gig to gig, I carried a tin click-toy that I'd click in the left ear of the sidewalk-hogger blocking my path. As the SH wheeled left in alarm, I'd cut in on the right side and repeat till I reached my destination.
1
Crowds are annoying, but not nearly as annoying as people hocking loogies right next to you. Or clueless tourists leaning on the subway pole. Or stupid commuters leaving their bags right next to them instead of putting it on your lap/stowing it beneath your seat, or having your legs crossed so that it blocks the aisle. I'm sorry there has to be some sort of population or quality control. Some Singapore style law enforcement is needed if we're to sustain the current rate of growth.
6
Caning!
I only get to visit (thank god for the acela!) but I am never happier than when I am walking the sidewalks of New York City! They energize and calm me at the same time. Excuse me while I kiss the sky.
5
The name says it all: "Side"walk. We need walkways with a Sidestreet. Reverse the priority fro car to foot traffic.
5
I marvel at the throngs every day on eighth ave between 40th and 35th. spilling onto the street rushing from somewhere to somewhere else.
Lets not forget that everyone is fatter than they used to be. That takes up more room too.
12
50 years ago, as a young teenager, I had a reoccurring dream: I could jump 10 or so feet in the air and do the breaststroke above pedestrians' heads. Never did I imagine the sidewalks would become impossibly crowded and that the Chagall-like fantasy would become a 21-century necessity!
3
The crowds were a major reason I left New York after living there for 14 years. I couldn't take the lack of personal space anymore. I lived in Washington Heights for 6 yrs where the sidewalks are wider with less foot traffic, but my work commute to the EV and UES left me exhausted with very crowded sidewalks, packed subways, and jammed buses. It wasn't until I left the city that I realized how poor my quality of life really was. When I got home from work, I stayed inside my apartment because I couldn't take walking outside with the screaming children and oblivious adults. Over time, I became an animal in a crowded urban zoo; bitter and irritable from the lack of space.
IMO, a minority within the crowds makes life unpleasant for the rest. The person who blows smoke in your face so you can't get a breath of fresh air, the cell phone texter oblivious to those around her, the person who pushes past you to get on the subway first...
When I moved to Sacramento, I had to retrain myself that it was ok to go outside. Even 9 months later, I am still in the habit of sitting quietly in my garage apt after work just enjoying the silence. Last night, I went for a short walk and didn't come across one other person on the sidewalk. To me, space is a gift. Some look down their noses at places like Sac but IMO, the people are polite and the quality of life is much higher. I no longer have a NY, NY address but I'm not packed in like a rat anymore competing for space on the sidewalk.
IMO, a minority within the crowds makes life unpleasant for the rest. The person who blows smoke in your face so you can't get a breath of fresh air, the cell phone texter oblivious to those around her, the person who pushes past you to get on the subway first...
When I moved to Sacramento, I had to retrain myself that it was ok to go outside. Even 9 months later, I am still in the habit of sitting quietly in my garage apt after work just enjoying the silence. Last night, I went for a short walk and didn't come across one other person on the sidewalk. To me, space is a gift. Some look down their noses at places like Sac but IMO, the people are polite and the quality of life is much higher. I no longer have a NY, NY address but I'm not packed in like a rat anymore competing for space on the sidewalk.
48
Kudos to you for, instead of complaining, taking steps to mitigate your discomfort.
2
Why is there not more outrage at the food cart vendors who specifically block the streets and emit smoky charcoal fumes from their open air grilles?
10
charcoal?!
They also set up over subway grates and fill the subways with smoke.
2
because people need cheap eats. that's why people line up 20 deep at vendor carts.
For years after moving out of the city where I was born and raised, I commuted in and out of Port Authority. Whether walking down 43rd Street (less people but where only the truest of city kids would walk back then) or 42nd (feeling stronger) or at times 40th, there were ALWAYS throngs of people negotiating too little space. Getting from 43rd and 8th to 42nd necessitated walking in the street and dodging cars if I were to catch my bus, and this was in the 80's. It's high time private cars were banned from Manhattan. Deliveries should be managed early and late in the day outside of commuting time, and upper west-siders should realize they don't live in New Jersey. In the for what its worth, when I was first a city mom, I only used my car on weekends to take my kids to their grandmother's in New Jersey. Otherwise I used public transportation or taxis. As it should be.
3
One word: Vendors. Why does the City allow precious sidewalk space to be clogged by vendors where there is already inadequate room to walk and wait for buses? Now there is even a chain of vendors snaking along the massively crowded Brooklyn Bridge walkway from the Manhattan end, making an already hazardous mix of walkers and bikers even more toxic. How about some enforcement, and new laws if needed. There should be no unlimited right to set up shop on public walks.
10
Vendors should be set up in parking spots.
Better yet, widen the sidewalks too
Better yet, widen the sidewalks too
3
Stop building. Tourist quotas. Fines for slow moving families and people who walk on the left side of the sidewalk. Prison for dog walkers who span the width of the sidewalk with their leash. And if we can fit this into the argument, capital punishment for people who text at a standstill on the subway stairs.
3
A couple of years ago I was trying to walk between 46th Street and 6th Avenue and 46th Street and 8th Avenue in time to get to the theater on a Saturday night. I was caught in massive gridlock of bodies going in every direction and I was totally trapped for one whole light change. Getting through the crowd was painful, as you might imagine, but the worst of it was I was knocked into an old man using a walker traveling in the opposite direction by someone else. Thank goodness the old man wasn't knocked off his feet But the crowd is a dangerous place for the hale and healthy, but the disabled are going to be harmed, if they haven't been already.
3
"To help accommodate foot traffic, they are adding more pedestrian plazas around the city..."
That's like saying 'to help accommodate more (car) traffic at rush hours we're going to add drive-in movie theaters to the intersections.'
That's like saying 'to help accommodate more (car) traffic at rush hours we're going to add drive-in movie theaters to the intersections.'
7
I work on Wall St. (not the financial industry), and the number of tourists is incredible, both on the sidewalks and in vehicles. Those double-decker loop buses with all the gawking rubes on top are a blight. These people should go back where they came from. We're trying to work. It's bad enough.
4
New York is always boasting of how great a city it is, full of wealth, power, and glory. You can't be surprised tourists want to come in droves.
If you want to get rid of them perhaps we need to do more to invest in other cities across the US. There are tons of beautiful but struggling places that could absorb some tourists if some of that cash left Wall Street (and the caymans)
If you want to get rid of them perhaps we need to do more to invest in other cities across the US. There are tons of beautiful but struggling places that could absorb some tourists if some of that cash left Wall Street (and the caymans)
1
Tow and impound - don't just ticket - vendor trucks that squat at congested corners impeding both cars and pedestrians. For them a ticket is considered rent and just part of the cost of doing business.
5
I had to laugh at Mr. Jenkin's likening of New Yorkers and out-of-towners to ammonia and Clorox. A couple of days ago, I walked along Central Park West from 81st street to 72nd Street for an appointment. It was a beautiful day and I thought I'd take in a little sun and fresh air rather than just exiting the train directly at 72nd Street. It wasn't that the sidewalk was so crowded. The problem, from my point of view, was that the tourists weren't following the "rules." They meandered, they stood in groups blocking the way, they ate ice-cream in the middle of the sidewalk, they spread out so no one could pass, they looked dazed, and one had the sense their feet hurt. Their steps were not lively and they didn't stride like they owned the world. They were a little sad.
For about half of what should have been a 10-minute walk, I was mightily irritated. Then I took a breath, slowed down, realized I wouldn't be late, and consented to a much slower and more interrupted walk than I had planned on. It was Ok. But I still miss the days when there were wide-open vistas in New York - hot summer days when the place felt empty and cold winter sidewalks where you could hear the snow crunch. Prosperity is great - but!
For about half of what should have been a 10-minute walk, I was mightily irritated. Then I took a breath, slowed down, realized I wouldn't be late, and consented to a much slower and more interrupted walk than I had planned on. It was Ok. But I still miss the days when there were wide-open vistas in New York - hot summer days when the place felt empty and cold winter sidewalks where you could hear the snow crunch. Prosperity is great - but!
7
Why can't we have public space where we all--tourists and New Yorkers alike--can sit, gather, or meander without having to rush all the time? You know--enjoy the city? Enjoy our streets?
Wider sidewalks and more high-quality pedestrian plaza space would sure help. Less space for cars and parking, more space for people.
Wider sidewalks and more high-quality pedestrian plaza space would sure help. Less space for cars and parking, more space for people.
Much like with subway congestion, what might help ease this problem is if employers didn't insist nearly everyone work a traditional 9-5. If you had a larger portion of the population work from 11-7, 12-8 etc., it would help "spread them out", so to speak.
4
A couple of easy steps -- I focus on Penn Station because that is the area I am familiar with. During rush hours, food vendors should be moved off the sidewalk to nearby pedestrian plazas, and no garbage bags allowed on 7th and 8th aves. The city should establish off-sidewalk repositories for garbage bags. Make the businesses take an extra 15 minutes to take the garbage to the repositories. (In general, the piles of garbage bags on the sidewalks are disgusting -- even in areas that aren't congested.)
3
We just moved out of the city after 40 years. We still come back on a semi-weekly basis staying at various hotels throughout the city. This week we were at the Wyndham near Penn Station. I couldn't believe it! As a veteran of the upper west side I had no idea how congested that area of mid-town was. Crazy. It took me a half-hour to get from 34th and 8th to 6th. Has it always been like that?
The last line was the kicker: Today, “people want to be in New York,” he said. “A crowded sidewalk is a sign of vitality.” Seriously? Reading this made my skin crawl and I live in a city where the human population is growing every year. Overpopulation is causing problems all over this planet, from wars over water to climate change, to pollution. This article reminded me of that university study with rats, where the overcrowding caused those poor animals to go crazy.
4
I don't know about Manhattan but what drives me crazy on the sidewalks here are the clueless sidewalk hogs who stroll three or more persons wide in the opposite direction of where I'm headed. It's just as bad at the supermarket, especially Whole Foods, Safeway even, where there is plenty of rude, distracted walkers blocking the aisles, standing around like they're in a meeting or something, seemingly totally oblivious to the fact that there are other people trying to navigate the same aisles. Talk about passive aggressive behavior, oy vey!
2
I have had lived in the South, the North, and the Midwest before moving to NYC; and now live two blocks away from my Midtown office. When an opportunity came, I decided to move to NYC. But I did have cold feet the last week before moving, and the first 5 days were not so great. I grew up in a very small town back in India (population below 10,000), and so I thought the city might overwhelm me.
Past the first 5 days, its cakewalk now, and I would never choose to live anywhere else (I live in Midtown). The folks of this City have been amazing and I have made great friends. I know my bars; where I can walk in and the folks know what I drink. And I have learnt to navigate across crowded sidewalks.
I remember, one day, the first week, I may have been walking on the wrong side, when I almost tripped myself off while overtaking an older couple. I normally walk at a brisk pace. "Oh, are you okay ? I hope you didn't hurt yourself " - said the old lady, with such kindness in her eyes. The gentleman pointed very politely that I was on the wrong side and laughed. They were so very nice and kind to me.
Even though the sidewalks are crowded, the inhabitants of the city are the nicest. I walk at a brisk pace even now and occassionally dash (a childhood habit). I may have sometime tried to avoid the Sidewalks; but I won't mind rubbing shoulders with the welcoming folks of NYC.
Past the first 5 days, its cakewalk now, and I would never choose to live anywhere else (I live in Midtown). The folks of this City have been amazing and I have made great friends. I know my bars; where I can walk in and the folks know what I drink. And I have learnt to navigate across crowded sidewalks.
I remember, one day, the first week, I may have been walking on the wrong side, when I almost tripped myself off while overtaking an older couple. I normally walk at a brisk pace. "Oh, are you okay ? I hope you didn't hurt yourself " - said the old lady, with such kindness in her eyes. The gentleman pointed very politely that I was on the wrong side and laughed. They were so very nice and kind to me.
Even though the sidewalks are crowded, the inhabitants of the city are the nicest. I walk at a brisk pace even now and occassionally dash (a childhood habit). I may have sometime tried to avoid the Sidewalks; but I won't mind rubbing shoulders with the welcoming folks of NYC.
2
In the past few weeks we've seen NYTimes articles reporting:
too many people for the subway system to handle
too many people for the affordable housing market to handle
and now
too many people for our sidewalks to handle.
Perhaps we need to recognize that perhaps NYC is suffering from too many people.
The city's infrastructure is not as elastic as the population.
Quality of life is doomed to deteriorate.
It already has.
I don't know what the solution is. But it's time we at least recognize the root cause of an increasing number of ills.
too many people for the subway system to handle
too many people for the affordable housing market to handle
and now
too many people for our sidewalks to handle.
Perhaps we need to recognize that perhaps NYC is suffering from too many people.
The city's infrastructure is not as elastic as the population.
Quality of life is doomed to deteriorate.
It already has.
I don't know what the solution is. But it's time we at least recognize the root cause of an increasing number of ills.
4
As an out-of-towner I have recently visited Manhattan multiple times. The pedestrian / vehicle conflict is obvious, especially at intersections. Pair that with food carts taking up space and it is pretty obvious that it all doesn't fit. You can't have it all. Travelling by car at crunch time is not impossible, just impractical, at least if you have any time limits. Why not get rid of the car traffic to allow foot traffic in busy places, and use some of the space to build garages at the edge of those areas to park the cars.
1
C'mon, NYC planners and developers - let's not kill NYC as Yogi Berra noted, "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."
I'm a native New Yorker (tho' in California for quite a while), and I still love being in NY, whether for business or visiting family.
I love NY's street life, and learned over many years how to navigate - and avoid - crowded blocks, how to walk around the crowds charging towards me as I cross streets. Please don't try to handle crowded streets in ways that eliminate window shopping, food carts, meeting friends, stopping for a nosh at a sidewalk cafe, rubbernecking.
Jane Jacobs and others importantly pointed out the importance of street life. I am concerned about the 'carrying capacity' of our sidewalks for pedestrians, and worry that some smart theoretician will try to eliminate the enjoyment and hassles of walking in NYC. I am also concerned that the proliferation of high-rise offices and residential towers is creating walking (and car) loads greater than their capacity.
These new buildings, if reasonably maintained, have a lifespan of 200-300 years. We are building our city with really no cognizance and understanding of the burdens being place on our infrastructure - including sidewalks - for decades and centuries to come. There are limits!
I'm a native New Yorker (tho' in California for quite a while), and I still love being in NY, whether for business or visiting family.
I love NY's street life, and learned over many years how to navigate - and avoid - crowded blocks, how to walk around the crowds charging towards me as I cross streets. Please don't try to handle crowded streets in ways that eliminate window shopping, food carts, meeting friends, stopping for a nosh at a sidewalk cafe, rubbernecking.
Jane Jacobs and others importantly pointed out the importance of street life. I am concerned about the 'carrying capacity' of our sidewalks for pedestrians, and worry that some smart theoretician will try to eliminate the enjoyment and hassles of walking in NYC. I am also concerned that the proliferation of high-rise offices and residential towers is creating walking (and car) loads greater than their capacity.
These new buildings, if reasonably maintained, have a lifespan of 200-300 years. We are building our city with really no cognizance and understanding of the burdens being place on our infrastructure - including sidewalks - for decades and centuries to come. There are limits!
2
I concur. The amount of super dense buildings is problematic, especially combined with the dearth of good quality pedestrian space. And tenant turnover in huge buildings also requires frequent construction, occupying more street space for their construction vehicles to park. (And then the construction workers sit on the sidewalks, blocking them even more. Why don't we give them a real place to sit?)
How are we supposed to enjoy a city when we're forced to walk through it on crowded sidewalks like cattle to the slaughter? Remove some of the inefficiently used space dedicated to the small minority of people who use cars to get around.
How are we supposed to enjoy a city when we're forced to walk through it on crowded sidewalks like cattle to the slaughter? Remove some of the inefficiently used space dedicated to the small minority of people who use cars to get around.
3
Sometimes the best response is to do nothing.
Leave it to the crowd to adapt. And adapt they will.
Or, keep on accommodating more and more people, changing the city irreversibly, and (in my opinion) for the worse.
Leave it to the crowd to adapt. And adapt they will.
Or, keep on accommodating more and more people, changing the city irreversibly, and (in my opinion) for the worse.
1
To the editor:
New York City closed Broadway in Times Square to open pedestrian plazas creating a veritable front porch for NY. It was beautiful with wide open vista stretching blocks. Then they filled it with shipping containers converted to overpriced food shacks, tables and chairs, stealing business from all of the stores in the area. It is now more congested, the views are obstructed by the shacks and Times Square looks more and more like it did in the 1970's. Except now it smells worse. I have worked in the theater district for over 40 years and the last two have been no improvement. Dump the shacks and give us open plazas for public, not commercial use.
New York City closed Broadway in Times Square to open pedestrian plazas creating a veritable front porch for NY. It was beautiful with wide open vista stretching blocks. Then they filled it with shipping containers converted to overpriced food shacks, tables and chairs, stealing business from all of the stores in the area. It is now more congested, the views are obstructed by the shacks and Times Square looks more and more like it did in the 1970's. Except now it smells worse. I have worked in the theater district for over 40 years and the last two have been no improvement. Dump the shacks and give us open plazas for public, not commercial use.
5
I think that, pedestrians must fly, that s tha best solution to resolve the problem.
1
Eventually most of Manhattan should be closed to vehicle traffic and turned into massive walkways and bike lanes. That would be ideal.
10
Will probably be the only way to deal with the density.
People hypnotized by their mobile devices is a major new feature of pedestrian traffic.
Walking stupidly is a huge obstacle that needs to be thoroughly studied.
One oblivious moving object in an otherwise intelligent herd breaks the whole pattern.
Walking stupidly is a huge obstacle that needs to be thoroughly studied.
One oblivious moving object in an otherwise intelligent herd breaks the whole pattern.
3
Those bicyclists heading in the wrong direction are the worst problem for anyone in the street, whether walking there or just crossing. It's always tempting to knock one of them on his butt.
3
What we need to do is widen the sidewalks and put barriers up to keep the bike lanes clear. The streets should have one lane for buses and another for taxis; other types of commercial traffic should be restricted to off-hours. Let deliveries take place at night; that's when shelves are being re-stocked anyway. Pedestrians and bike riders outnumber motor vehicles and deserve more space.
4
Why are most of the times picks about banning cars? Bike and bus lanes have already taken 35% of vehicle space away and more where pedestrian plazas eliminated cars altogether. Car congestion doesn't come from selfish people pulling a car out to drive 3 blocks, as one idiot comment stated. It comes because Manhattan is an island and every access to bridges and tunnels spills onto streets.
35%?? Really? Even where there are bus lanes, other drivers park and drive in them anyway.
We need much better bus lanes and bus stops. Buses can move way more people in far less space than Cars. Ditto with bike lanes.
There's also a bottleneck effect because of the tunnels as you mentioned. That's another reason to remove vehicle lanes--no sense having 4–6 lane avenues that feed into 2–3 lane bridges and tunnels
We need much better bus lanes and bus stops. Buses can move way more people in far less space than Cars. Ditto with bike lanes.
There's also a bottleneck effect because of the tunnels as you mentioned. That's another reason to remove vehicle lanes--no sense having 4–6 lane avenues that feed into 2–3 lane bridges and tunnels
2
35% Hilarious. Don't know what city you live in.
There does need to be a reduction in automotive traffic. We need more sidewalk expansions, pedestrianized streets and protected bus and bike lanes.
There does need to be a reduction in automotive traffic. We need more sidewalk expansions, pedestrianized streets and protected bus and bike lanes.
1
Probably because it's plainly obvious that private cars need to be removed from Midtown. There's not enough room.
2
I resided in Manhattan in the late fifties and sixties and part of the charm of the city was the "people watching" as I walked down Fifth Avenue (the prettiest girls in the world). And, at the crosswalks, before the lights changed, it was challenging, but lighten up it's NYC, folks.
1
Included in my daily routine was the walk to & from the PA Bus Terminal to my office over on Park Ave. In midtown. Had I walked solely on the sidewalks (as opposed to the streets) that walk would have taken considerably longer. So my walk was mainly on the streets. And oh yes, I've been retired for 5 years; I can only imagine the rush hour sidewalk crowds now.
9
Street walking. I've been doing it for years. Tourists and others not so hurried can keep the sidewalks... I'm done.
The last time I remember a walkable city during the week was in the 1950s and 60s. Things began to get crazy in the 70s and has only gotten worse. Do not expect anything to change.
9
The photographer seems want a photograph almost entirely of white males, with heavyset one leading the way.. I have no doubt that multiple photos were taken, and that a nice multiracial one, with a few hipsters dotting the intersection, would have been possible. This looks like fat shaming.
1
Wider sidewalks,protected bike lanes, thinner Avenues. Anti-Congestions tariffs as in London. Commercial, livery and Emergency vehicles should be the primary vehicles on the streets. Most of this began to be addressed in northern Europe 30 years ago: the models already exist. NYC planners need to get on a plane and see first hand how modern cities live and breath.
1
The failure is in the city for allowing every landmark and building to be turned into a high rise housing costing high dollars for elite 1%ers. Now the services are taxed and there are just too many residents in Manhattan- an island of transients from every state and country. Now they are coming to Brooklyn in droves. There is no other place in the world for them - all are unsafe so they come here and crowd us. And the city, especially with this mayor, have done nothing to increase services - they are without administration talent. And we pay the price.
1
The city government itself has put in unwanted newsstands and allowed outdoor cafe seating which limits the sidewalk that we used to have. And there is so much that the city wants to do to destroy anyone's ability to get around this town.
The administrations insistence on putting in bike lanes for example. This is not appropriate for the center of a major metro area and serves only the elite already living in the center. And it takes lanes away from regular traffic which makes it move less quickly and makes people mix in with the street which makes it more dangerous.
NYC has to decide what to do with limited space - sidewalks and roads. And if free movement and commerce are the goal then stop waging war on it by making roads give in to bike lanes, and sidewalks give into street cafes and newsstands.
It requires common sense. Which our politicians don't have at the moment.
The administrations insistence on putting in bike lanes for example. This is not appropriate for the center of a major metro area and serves only the elite already living in the center. And it takes lanes away from regular traffic which makes it move less quickly and makes people mix in with the street which makes it more dangerous.
NYC has to decide what to do with limited space - sidewalks and roads. And if free movement and commerce are the goal then stop waging war on it by making roads give in to bike lanes, and sidewalks give into street cafes and newsstands.
It requires common sense. Which our politicians don't have at the moment.
3
Look at the priorities. Your country's first priority is wars. Tons and tons of money is wasted right from Vietnam days. Second priority is political funding that too election funding and at what cost.
When it comes to people, a population of over 300 million have that many cars simply because people love cars. Further practically there's no public transport in America barring a few cities.
Now where is the money for revamping infrastructure or for any innovation in providing facilities to the people at large considering population growth and tourist outflow.
Even with the existing resources, certain things such as segregated school, college and office timings, shifting of offices etc to less populated areas, segregating weekly offs, Sky walks, curtailing or shifting some shops on sidewalks, making obligatory for office goers and students to travel only in buses, share taxis and or local trains etc will go a long way in easing not only traffic congestion but also helps in reducing the greenhouse gases emission to some extent.
When it comes to people, a population of over 300 million have that many cars simply because people love cars. Further practically there's no public transport in America barring a few cities.
Now where is the money for revamping infrastructure or for any innovation in providing facilities to the people at large considering population growth and tourist outflow.
Even with the existing resources, certain things such as segregated school, college and office timings, shifting of offices etc to less populated areas, segregating weekly offs, Sky walks, curtailing or shifting some shops on sidewalks, making obligatory for office goers and students to travel only in buses, share taxis and or local trains etc will go a long way in easing not only traffic congestion but also helps in reducing the greenhouse gases emission to some extent.
1
A terrific article, but very little attention paid to how the City has given up public sidewalks to non-paying private businesses that operate on them. News boxes, vendors of "expressive matter," fake "disabled veteran" food vendors, all do business on public sidewalks without paying a nickle to the city. The solution is simple. Ban ALL vendors from the most crowded sidewalks. Put legal food carts in the streets instead of parked cars. but make them pay market rate for prime corners. Expand sidewalks and reduce street space for cars.
4
Every NYC mayor in recent memory has said, "the city has to grow to survive". That is simply wrong - excessive growth is harmful.
How many of these "streetwalkers" are struck by cars every year? And what effect do they have of vehicular traffic, which causes how much extra pollution?
Remember, there is no such thing as "City Planning" in NYC; the entire NYC bureaucracy exists only to please Real Estate Developers and Sports Stadium Owners - who are, as it turns out, the exact same people!
The wonderful thing about the Trump candidacy, is that it lets everyone see what the denizens of the Real Estate Industry are really like. It's time to start saying NO! to these people.
How many of these "streetwalkers" are struck by cars every year? And what effect do they have of vehicular traffic, which causes how much extra pollution?
Remember, there is no such thing as "City Planning" in NYC; the entire NYC bureaucracy exists only to please Real Estate Developers and Sports Stadium Owners - who are, as it turns out, the exact same people!
The wonderful thing about the Trump candidacy, is that it lets everyone see what the denizens of the Real Estate Industry are really like. It's time to start saying NO! to these people.
3
Many sidewalks in Manhattan are obstructed by vendors, street performers, panhandlers, food carts, newspaper/magazine distribution boxes, and, worst of all, scaffolding. Surely, these things can be regulated better than they are. Existing rules should be enforced and new rules need to be created to reduce obstructions and then rigorously enforced. No one is "entitled" to block a sidewalk.
3
In the sea of pedestrian traffic, car traffic and bicycle traffic, while I am all for bicycles...I have seen too many delivery guys on bicycles breaking the law and going in the opposite direction in bicycle lanes on 8th ave between 49th and 50th street. In the morning rush of taking my daughter to school, I see that happening all too often. We need greater enforcement by the police on this stretch and more fines to those who travel in bicycle lanes in the opposite direction of traffic flow. I am always terrified when crossing this particular stretch with my daughter on her way to school. I had seen some reduction for a few months but there had been an uptick once again on this stretch in the past two months.
Why is population explosion not the top issue every day? The world population is consuming 1.5 years of resources each year. That is unsustainable. Human population is the core of all political and environmental concerns.
3
I know that many New Yorkers believe that the city caters to vehicles, but most of the city's crosswalks are accidents waiting to happen between pedestrians and cars. Drivers trying to take turns into crosswalks are forced to edge their way between pedestrians (see 79th and 5th Ave., just past the Metropolitan Museum of Art, at 5pm) in order to make the turn. At the height of rush hour, one, maybe two, cars gets through, creating even more traffic backed up along main thoroughfares. These situations are dangerous and need to be addressed with better traffic-light systems, similar to those along Columbus Ave. Cars and people should not be competing for the same space at the same time.
2
Or just get rid of the cars altogether? It's a walking city, those too lazy to walk are welcome to leave.
1
As a walker I probably need 10-15 square feet around me. I live with less, but that 15 square feet sounds comfortable. As a driver or parker I and my car need about 120 square feet. Which sounds more efficient?
1
It is time for the "officials" (Dimocrats) to charge walkers by the number of steps , as is being proposed by some kooks wanting to charge drivers by the mile. Guess they need another law, or two. Alternative: move all politics away from the center of NYC - that would cut the population in half. Case in point: Washington DC and surrounding areas, spread out by twice the size in 15 years.
The hustle and bustle that plagues our sidewalks is the result of the fashion industry's attempt to bring actual 19th century bustles back into fashion. These sidewalk hogging devices, originally designed to prevent fabric sagging and dress shape fatigue seem to have become an out-of-control personal style accessory. Men , as well as women, are donning them in ever greater numbers and as a result there is less and less room for those who do not wear them to navigate the sidewalks. Celebrity bustle advocates have made it cool to wear these archaic protuberances. And summertime makes things worse because many of the bustle people are carrying parasols, too.
2
Ban cars, reduce car lanes. Sacrifice trees and those huge plant boxes that occupy half the sidewalk, relocate kiosks, carts and poles. A clean sidewalk is faster. And best of all, stimulate the settlement of offices in other places! Why everybody wants to be in the same place? Internet gives a good opportunity for avoiding the need to be in the center of downtown. At some point in the future the place will overcrowd badly and it will be very dangerous in the case of evacuating because of an emergency.
2
Sacrificing trees is a really, really bad idea.
As a native Brooklynite who remembers when our old trees began to die and when community organizers raised money to plant new ones, I can tell you that our streetscapes -- and air quality -- are much better when there are lots of trees.
Trees seem, too, to have a calming effect on some bad street behavior.
Thank goodness for Bloomberg's "million-tree" initiative.
Better trees fastened to their spots than humans with cell phones and selfie sticks stuck in place. They're the real cause of pedestrian gridlock.
As a native Brooklynite who remembers when our old trees began to die and when community organizers raised money to plant new ones, I can tell you that our streetscapes -- and air quality -- are much better when there are lots of trees.
Trees seem, too, to have a calming effect on some bad street behavior.
Thank goodness for Bloomberg's "million-tree" initiative.
Better trees fastened to their spots than humans with cell phones and selfie sticks stuck in place. They're the real cause of pedestrian gridlock.
2
Would like to see the NY Times do follow-up analysis and reporting on the following:
There is an increase in commuting because the costs of housing is so high. Regular people are forced to move further out, with increased commutes. (In the meantime, more huge luxury buildings are going up in Manhattan for absentee billionaires to hide their cash)
Increased development results in increased vehicle traffic (service, repair, construction etc)
Explosion in truck (small and large) traffic everywhere due to explosion in e-commerce and instant gratification delivery.
Pedicabs (which emerged in NYC during the Bloomberg administration) which block buses and traffic generally, not to mention park illegally without any repercussions.
Pedestrian plazas which seem to encourage tourists to hang out and leave garbage - plazas do not seem to help ease crowding
There is an increase in commuting because the costs of housing is so high. Regular people are forced to move further out, with increased commutes. (In the meantime, more huge luxury buildings are going up in Manhattan for absentee billionaires to hide their cash)
Increased development results in increased vehicle traffic (service, repair, construction etc)
Explosion in truck (small and large) traffic everywhere due to explosion in e-commerce and instant gratification delivery.
Pedicabs (which emerged in NYC during the Bloomberg administration) which block buses and traffic generally, not to mention park illegally without any repercussions.
Pedestrian plazas which seem to encourage tourists to hang out and leave garbage - plazas do not seem to help ease crowding
1
Perhaps it's time for the inevitable: elevated sidewalks! People walking "express" could go up one level and power walk to their destination. The local walkers stay on the ground level. This would be helpful at those intersections where cars can't make turns due to pedestrian-clogged crosswalks plus, it has the added benefit of creating a second tier of possible "street level" real estate. Ka-ching! Although the upper tiers of shops would have to have strict "express" restrictions.
It's enraging to walk in Midtown, Soho is second runner up. The city can't help handing out vendor licenses. It seems anyone can get one, smoky burning salt, tourists, guys performing for tour busses, homeless people, all of it, really infuriating. The city does nothing. I said it a decade ago, tourism is ruining the life quality of people who live in the city. I was condemned by many who say tourism helps us. Who may I ask? The museums are now malls for tourists, the beautiful High Line is so packed with gawkers who walk a snail's pace 4 deep, tour busses fill the already dense city with pollution and they block the view of the city lined along entire blocks. There's no space, yet more more more is the city's tourism plan. Pedicabs ride in the bike lane. Uber drivers are from outer areas of the city and nearly run people over in haste to pick up a fare, making rights on red, barreling through cross walks when pedestrians have the right of way. I was hit last night. The driver, from NJ, texting while driving. I won't even get into our awful Mayor, homeless men everywhere. begging. It's worse than the 1980's. The city does nothing. Manhattan has become a lawless mess. The city that can't say no.
4
If people walked to the right, as they are supposed to, there would be little problem. Instead they are all over the sidewalk, sometimes four or five abreast. And not only the tourists.
I think most people are unaware that they are to keep to the right, and the City makes no effort to post informative signs.
I think most people are unaware that they are to keep to the right, and the City makes no effort to post informative signs.
3
1. narrow the streets, widen sidewalks
2. strictly enforce driving rules. That means drivers understand they will get a huge fine and get their license taken for a long time if they hit a pedestrian, even outside a crosswalk.
3. congestion price coming in/out of Manhattan. Half the people that drive into the city don't need to, it's just "easier." Time to start paying for that convenience. Paying a lot.
The streets are for people, cars should be allowed to use them as space permits, but should be strictly regulated and made to understand that their convenience comes second to pedestrian convenience. If you are too lazy to walk in NYC, find another city to live in or PAY ME, because you driving while I walk makes my life worse in objective and measurable ways.
2. strictly enforce driving rules. That means drivers understand they will get a huge fine and get their license taken for a long time if they hit a pedestrian, even outside a crosswalk.
3. congestion price coming in/out of Manhattan. Half the people that drive into the city don't need to, it's just "easier." Time to start paying for that convenience. Paying a lot.
The streets are for people, cars should be allowed to use them as space permits, but should be strictly regulated and made to understand that their convenience comes second to pedestrian convenience. If you are too lazy to walk in NYC, find another city to live in or PAY ME, because you driving while I walk makes my life worse in objective and measurable ways.
4
Where to start? Specific location - Bustling Midtown West - alongside Billionaires Row - 6th Ave. - from West 57th St.- & 2 blocks No. to Central Pk. So.
Four hotels on W.58th Street do not have loading docks but loading zones - (the curb). Pedicabs use all available commercial spaces as their "private/public" garage. The trucks double-park - (are ticketed) - &/or spill back onto 6th Ave. Sidewalks become an extension of the "loading zones".
A bike co. has opened up off 6th Ave. to compete w/Citibike & these same sidewalks have now become bike lanes to/from Central Pk. Sixth Ave. has no bus lane on those streets let alone space for a bike lane. Bicyclists do not make room for pedestrians; rather, it's the other way round. Pedestrians often walk in the street into oncoming traffic.
A restaurant - Jams - has opened up on 6th as part of a new hotel & now has 4 tables & chairs on the 6th Ave. sidewalk. A vendor faces those tables lvg. a narrow space as tourists stop at the vendor. Next to the vendor is a bus stop - not only local buses but also tour buses, a rest area for SI drivers ending their run - & an entrance to the F train. Next to Jams is Quality Italian with a bar open to the street & in front of the F train.
We then have sign hawkers for the bike co. & the pedicabs, the latter are dangerous, lawless - (riding on the sidewalks & against traffic on the side streets, making U-turns across double -yellow lines).
Where is the planning & quality of life?
Four hotels on W.58th Street do not have loading docks but loading zones - (the curb). Pedicabs use all available commercial spaces as their "private/public" garage. The trucks double-park - (are ticketed) - &/or spill back onto 6th Ave. Sidewalks become an extension of the "loading zones".
A bike co. has opened up off 6th Ave. to compete w/Citibike & these same sidewalks have now become bike lanes to/from Central Pk. Sixth Ave. has no bus lane on those streets let alone space for a bike lane. Bicyclists do not make room for pedestrians; rather, it's the other way round. Pedestrians often walk in the street into oncoming traffic.
A restaurant - Jams - has opened up on 6th as part of a new hotel & now has 4 tables & chairs on the 6th Ave. sidewalk. A vendor faces those tables lvg. a narrow space as tourists stop at the vendor. Next to the vendor is a bus stop - not only local buses but also tour buses, a rest area for SI drivers ending their run - & an entrance to the F train. Next to Jams is Quality Italian with a bar open to the street & in front of the F train.
We then have sign hawkers for the bike co. & the pedicabs, the latter are dangerous, lawless - (riding on the sidewalks & against traffic on the side streets, making U-turns across double -yellow lines).
Where is the planning & quality of life?
1
If people weren't so rude, the congestion would be easier to take! We are losing our sense of the other, whether we be New Yorkers of Manhattan, commuters, or tourists! One of the many reasons I live and work in southern Brooklyn. How sweet it is!!!
How about some elevated walkways, especially in a place like Times Square where there isn't enough room on the sidewalks to accommodate all the pedestrians. Also would make crossing the street much safer.
Ban bicycles on the sidewalk. Ban bicycling in the wrong direction. It's dangerous to the pedestrians.
1
Yo. It's already illegal. But bikes are definitely not the problem here: As I said above, what's the point in having cars in these streets if they can't even move. Cars are the ones that need to leave this area. Except service cars.
1
No discussion of the plague of NYPD permitted vehicles parking on sidewalks.
No discussion of the intentional narrowing of many sidewalks in the mid–1900s to create more traffic lanes for our precious cars.
No discussion of the sidewalk sheds restricting pedestrian flow or just all out closure of sidewalks to defer to developers and traffic over the needs of pedestrians.
West 20th between Seventh and Eighth is a fantastic microcosm of the assault on pedestrian safety by placarded vehicles and construction sheds.
No discussion of the intentional narrowing of many sidewalks in the mid–1900s to create more traffic lanes for our precious cars.
No discussion of the sidewalk sheds restricting pedestrian flow or just all out closure of sidewalks to defer to developers and traffic over the needs of pedestrians.
West 20th between Seventh and Eighth is a fantastic microcosm of the assault on pedestrian safety by placarded vehicles and construction sheds.
2
I love to hear pedestrians lament over cars. "There are to many cars" , but you are the first to request an Uber, Lyft, etc. I'm a lifetime New Yorker and yes I appreciate our public transportation and Citibike. These options are not always feasible for New Yorkers with young children and a family though. Trust me I pay my fair share in taxes and tolls to own and operate a vehicle in NYC, and guess what that all goes to improving pedestrian life. Stop bashing vehicles and their owners. There are a lot of New Yorkers who need their cars , and getting rid of them or limiting access is definitely not the answer.
And to add to the woes, there are things like the closed of public walk-thru in the 1585 Broadway building that now serves as a private parking space for the 1-percenters at Morgan Stanley, a major tenant. It was closed after 9/11 like others, but was never reopened while all the other walk-thrus have long since reopened. Morgan Stanley should be ashamed of itself for allowing such privileged behavior. The walk-thru was supposed to lessen Broadway sidewalk traffic in the Times Square area, but only provides parking for a few rich tenants. Next, there are the countless signboards that illegally stand out side the shops in Hells Kitchen and Times Square. They block large sidewalk areas forcing people to squeeze around them at rush hour, lunchtime and matinee days. They are illegal yet no one does anything about them. Also, restaurants throughout the area put out canvas paneled metal barriers with their names on them. They serve only to block the sidewalks. There are so many examples, it's not possible to name them, but one need only walk along 49th Street between Broadway and 8th Avenue to see a big offender that blocks off half the sidewalk all day. It's astounding that the police, or the community boards don't do a thing about andy of these things that so often forces people to walk in the streets. And, the sidewalk cafes, which I love, with barricades that block sidewalk traffic...! It goes on, yet no one does anything about it, and so into the street we go to walk.
1
OK, I'm just an occasional tourist, and I've been in a "people jam" on Broadway a couple of times, and a couple of times on the crush in the subway, but you're much better off with that than the problem we have here much of the time: nobody at all on the sidewalks, which means no one shopping, little interaction with other people, lack of excitement. People crowds are definitely more fun than no people!
So, maybe you could consider a little sidewalk widening, or maybe even plan for a few elevated walkways in some places. Better to have little problems like that than to have no problems at all!
So, maybe you could consider a little sidewalk widening, or maybe even plan for a few elevated walkways in some places. Better to have little problems like that than to have no problems at all!
2
People, this article is fundamentally about sidewalks, not streets. OK, so there's a lot of car traffic--a real, but different, problem from sidewalk crowding.
Busy sidewalks could be made more manageable by people just paying some more attention to one another. Why is the simplest solution sometimes the hardest to see? Because it involves each of us doing something and not fantasizing about magic regulations and bans?
Busy sidewalks could be made more manageable by people just paying some more attention to one another. Why is the simplest solution sometimes the hardest to see? Because it involves each of us doing something and not fantasizing about magic regulations and bans?
1
If people got their phone out of their face, it would help a lot. Exiting a subway car or at the top of the subway stairs is particularly annoying.
2
No doubt, there are more people.
There are also more and more obstacles that narrow the pedestrian space: dozens of delivery bikes chained to posts. bigger bus kiosks. physically bigger parking meter machines. new bus pay machines. all the new extension doorways for restaurants and stores (those plastic/awning things that stick out 5 feet and were never there before. more and more outdoor seating for restaurants but no longer behind barriers, now open tables just stuck all over the sidewalk. bigger tree flower beds with better fencing. very large fruit vendor stands and clumps of people buying discounted day old fruit without any concern for how they are blocking the walk space. more and more double strollers (in vitro generations?). more kids on mini-scooters. more dogs on long leashes. more dog owners letting their dogs stop to poop in the middle of the sidewalk instead of near the curb. more food carts with long lines of customers. more tables with fake phone cases and cheap belts. not last but not least more and more mountains of garbage than ever before.
There are also more and more obstacles that narrow the pedestrian space: dozens of delivery bikes chained to posts. bigger bus kiosks. physically bigger parking meter machines. new bus pay machines. all the new extension doorways for restaurants and stores (those plastic/awning things that stick out 5 feet and were never there before. more and more outdoor seating for restaurants but no longer behind barriers, now open tables just stuck all over the sidewalk. bigger tree flower beds with better fencing. very large fruit vendor stands and clumps of people buying discounted day old fruit without any concern for how they are blocking the walk space. more and more double strollers (in vitro generations?). more kids on mini-scooters. more dogs on long leashes. more dog owners letting their dogs stop to poop in the middle of the sidewalk instead of near the curb. more food carts with long lines of customers. more tables with fake phone cases and cheap belts. not last but not least more and more mountains of garbage than ever before.
2
Transportation Alternatives which bills itself as pro pedestrian and bicycle has spent years promoting largely useless bike lanes which are never anything close to crowded. Now comes this story which is not news to anyone who lives here that it's really pedestrians (the vast majority of us) that need more space.
Maybe turning bike lanes to sidewalks is a better "alternative" for most of us.
Maybe turning bike lanes to sidewalks is a better "alternative" for most of us.
Make 34th a pedestrian mall with a bus-only route or streetcar. Close Midtown to cars, except cabs and delivery trucks. No point in keeping Midtown open for cars when cars can't move and people can't walk.
2
I'd take an alternate route. I walk a lot in Chicago, walk fast, and usually navigate the curb edge outside the large planters on Michigan Ave. Our sidewalks downtown are nowhere near as bad a NYC, but we have our share of tourists (keep coming folks, love you, love your dollars) and slow movers. When things get too zooy, I move to different arteries or routes which may be a bit longer, but are less congested. As a city resident I can always find an out-of-the-way path where tourists are less likely to tread. I'm betting that even in NYC some of those side streets are less crowded, though they may not be the most direct route from point A to point B.
3
In midtown you would loose the bet.
2
Bring back the EL. Add more High Lines. Or perhaps, take the Trump solution and ban everyone from coming into the city!
4
What's the upper limit of population of NYC? Maybe 18,000,000?
You ain't seen nothin' yet. Revisit this in 5 years. How many people- tourists, residents, legal and undocumented are there? And will there be in 2021?
You ain't seen nothin' yet. Revisit this in 5 years. How many people- tourists, residents, legal and undocumented are there? And will there be in 2021?
13
Time to go to Queens where unfortunately nothing much is happening.
8
I'd love to see you try to navigate the sidewalks in Flushing at rush hour...
I used take a bus to Main Street, Flushing in the morning and get off the subway at Main Street and then take a bus to my home in the late afternoon on weekdays. That was then!
This situation may seem new to new people but it is really old to old people...
29
New York? Nobody goes there anymore--it's too crowded.
26
Did you actually read the article and the information on the growing number of visitors and tourists?
Bruce, it was a joke.
1
Walk on the right. Walk on the right. Walk on the right.
58
And notice how many slow walkers are looking at their cellphones so you have to go into the street if you want to walk in the right. ; )
2
I just returned from a lovely trip to NYC where I took my 14 y.o. granddaughter. Yes, the sidewalks were crowded. My parents taught me to walk on the right side, and to stand on the right side while waiting to get on an elevator. Does anyone do this anymore? Would help.
2
Do not block the intersection. Do not block the intersection. Do not block the intersection.
Why do these things even need to be said?
How about:
Other people exist. Other people exist. Other people exist.
Why do these things even need to be said?
How about:
Other people exist. Other people exist. Other people exist.
Ban cars from half the streets, and allow pedestrians, bikers and Segways only.
13
And how do you expect commerce and travel for people that have problems walking or need assistance to get around? Those with families, old people, etc.
A nice idea but completely impractical.
A nice idea but completely impractical.
1
Only if bikers and Segways have to obey traffic rules.
Don't these people already need assistance? Cars and buses don't deliver them directly to the doorstep -- don't they need help negotiating sidewalks today?
If not, then, as suggested elsewhere here, make some streets one-lane, one-way, and devote the other lane to a bigger sidewalk and better bike lanes. (And yes, bikers must obey traffic rules.) Plant some trees in that space. Put in some park benches and a few fountains. Such places will be quieter, cooler, cleaner and more pleasant.
Boulder, CO shut down a street and put in a pedestrian mall. People *flock* to it, including, AFAIK, the disabled.
I think it's crazy to let car ruin our cities like they do.
If not, then, as suggested elsewhere here, make some streets one-lane, one-way, and devote the other lane to a bigger sidewalk and better bike lanes. (And yes, bikers must obey traffic rules.) Plant some trees in that space. Put in some park benches and a few fountains. Such places will be quieter, cooler, cleaner and more pleasant.
Boulder, CO shut down a street and put in a pedestrian mall. People *flock* to it, including, AFAIK, the disabled.
I think it's crazy to let car ruin our cities like they do.
during my first visit to Tokyo in 2001, I was in the shibuya area. I was told that 2,500,000 people walked thru the intersection--there were cross walks going in several directions--each DAY.....the big apple isn't necessarily the biggest apple. there are many bigger and busier cities on the face of the earth.
11
There are simply too many of you. And I thought so when I worked in Manhattan 20 years ago.
Now look.
Please, move to Charlotte. Raleigh. Durham. Register and vote out these malevolent Republicans who are killing North Carolina.
Here, the sidewalks aren't nearly so crowded and people smile, nod, wave. You can exhale. No PABT.
Imagine that.
Thank you.
Now look.
Please, move to Charlotte. Raleigh. Durham. Register and vote out these malevolent Republicans who are killing North Carolina.
Here, the sidewalks aren't nearly so crowded and people smile, nod, wave. You can exhale. No PABT.
Imagine that.
Thank you.
28
Maybe some of the North Carolinians could move here and vote out these liberal progressive Democrats. I would not want to subject some of the New Yorkers to the lovely state of North Carolina.
Wow, lots of whining going on here. You folks in NYC need to realize you can't have it all ways. Do you want the tourists with all their money and spending, or do you wish to keep the city for yourselves? Judging from the prices of real estate in your neighborhood, you seem to prefer the 1%. The ultra rich, or a diverse cross-section of humanity, it's your choice. Just please stop whining!
10
Thank you for this article... I remember back around 1987, one could walk on Broadway between Houston and Canal, and hardly bump into more than 10 or 12 people sharing the sidewalk, and that includes the tourists... Chelsea was a no mans land, especially after 8 pm. And forget about Williamsburg... When I moved there in 1989, my friends laughed at me, saying, why would I want to move to Williamsburg, Virginia (Brooklyn was a dirty word back then)... Ahh the good old days....
18
Yeah, the good ole days. NY in the 80's. Loved it.
Excuse me, but I would think for most of us who grew up, south of Prospect Park, back in the day, in communities like Bensonhurst, Flatbush, Midwood, Bay Ridge, Sheepshead Bay, Brighton, Gravesend, and Yes, Old BoroughPark, Brooklyn was NEVER a dirty word, but the proving ground for many of the most decent and elevated Americans who have walked America's streets, even those in Manhattan!
1
No, sorry, I didn't mean that I thought brooklyn was a "dirty word", It's just many Manhattanites thought it was such... I've loved the borough since I set foot in it...
This IS the UN's Agenda 21. Everybody lives within walking distance of their place of employment.
6
Continue the trend of removing some traffic lanes and widening sidewalks. I realize many car-owners are fixated on having their little cars, but it never hurts to wean them sooner rather than later as, at a certain point in old age, your driving a car can be a danger to your passengers, to other drivers and to pedestrians and cyclists.
In a city such as NYC, and with the public transportation and taxis and Zipcars, etc., why so many continue to INSIST on owning a car is beyond me. In most instances it's pure laziness (some will drive three blocks to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds rather than walk!), selfishness ('global warming?..that's a fallacy!....and why should I be forced to use public transportation) or snobbery ('I don't want to have to take the train with all kinds of 'disgusting' people!")
As we all know, not only are the '4 of them all across the sidewalk' tourists problematic, but the rampant texting zombies are also a problem. I refuse to yield to any text zombies. Talk about self-centered arses!
In a city such as NYC, and with the public transportation and taxis and Zipcars, etc., why so many continue to INSIST on owning a car is beyond me. In most instances it's pure laziness (some will drive three blocks to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds rather than walk!), selfishness ('global warming?..that's a fallacy!....and why should I be forced to use public transportation) or snobbery ('I don't want to have to take the train with all kinds of 'disgusting' people!")
As we all know, not only are the '4 of them all across the sidewalk' tourists problematic, but the rampant texting zombies are also a problem. I refuse to yield to any text zombies. Talk about self-centered arses!
12
There is not a New Yorker alive who would give up a parking spot (or order their car from the garage and wait an hour) in order to drive three blocks to get fast food! Please.
We use our car for two things: trips outside of the city (we have elderly relatives in neighboring states) and a weekly run to a larger grocery store (the lovely spot a block away is quite pricey).
We use our car for two things: trips outside of the city (we have elderly relatives in neighboring states) and a weekly run to a larger grocery store (the lovely spot a block away is quite pricey).
2
" at a certain point in old age, your driving a car can be a danger to your passengers, to other drivers and to pedestrians and cyclists."
Pretty soon there will be self driving cars and anyone will be able to have one.
Pretty soon there will be self driving cars and anyone will be able to have one.
1
..."why so many continue to INSIST on owning a car is beyond me. In most instances it's pure laziness (some will drive three blocks to Dunkin Donuts or McDonalds rather than walk!), selfishness ('global warming?..that's a fallacy!....and why should I be forced to use public transportation) or snobbery ('I don't want to have to take the train with all kinds of 'disgusting' people!")"
What a whiny, entitled attitude. Most people have cars so that they can get somewhere faster than public transportation allows or they need it as they are older, not able to easily take public transport or walk, and or have families, etc. No one really drives 3 blocks to Dunkin Donuts.
You're offensive with these statements but what do you care? You live in the center and others be damned, no matter what their need is.
What a whiny, entitled attitude. Most people have cars so that they can get somewhere faster than public transportation allows or they need it as they are older, not able to easily take public transport or walk, and or have families, etc. No one really drives 3 blocks to Dunkin Donuts.
You're offensive with these statements but what do you care? You live in the center and others be damned, no matter what their need is.
1
WOW!
Look at all the faces, I mean really look at the faces.
Why are these people living there? Is this what "making it" is about?
Yes, I am a life-long country bumpkin that has never visited the Big Apple and after studying those faces I will not venture there.
NYT please tell me: is any one in New York City actually happy? I ask this honestly and with no disrespect to anyone, especially those in the pictures.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
Look at all the faces, I mean really look at the faces.
Why are these people living there? Is this what "making it" is about?
Yes, I am a life-long country bumpkin that has never visited the Big Apple and after studying those faces I will not venture there.
NYT please tell me: is any one in New York City actually happy? I ask this honestly and with no disrespect to anyone, especially those in the pictures.
Michael Bain
Glorieta, New Mexico
15
Those pictures are taken during rush hour in the most crowded and least residential spots in the city. I bet if you took pictures of people on a congested highway at the wheel of their car at the end of a long day there in New Mexico you would get some similar unhappy expressions. Go to a sidewalk cafe, a stretch of Central Park north of the tourist congestion, or little street in the West Village on a quiet weekday morning and you can see plenty of happy people in New York. But there is no doubt that increased population plus hugely increased tourism is causing stress. There are areas of the city so filled with tourists it is more like Disneyland than a real city.
3
Hi Michael, I live in Manhattan and love it, and yes, I am happy- although I do not walk through the streets with a big smile pasted on my face. I would say the same for many of my friends and neighbors here. That's why we're willing to pay such exorbitant prices to live here, when we could get a large house, yard, and swimming pool for the same amount elsewhere. As the song says, "I want to be a part of it, NY, NY." No offense, but no one has written those lyrics about New Mexico.
3
Hi Rachel:
No offense taken. New Mexico has huge problems of its own, for sure.
My problem is I think of Santa Fe as a large city, and Albuquerque as mega-metropolis!
MB
No offense taken. New Mexico has huge problems of its own, for sure.
My problem is I think of Santa Fe as a large city, and Albuquerque as mega-metropolis!
MB
1
“When you get out-of-towners and New Yorkers, it’s like mixing Clorox with ammonia, it doesn’t work — there’s a chemical reaction,”
You should celebrate and find value in the diversity the out-of-towners!
You should celebrate and find value in the diversity the out-of-towners!
1
The young couples holding hands and mooning over one another slow things up. You go to the park for your courtship.
10
Looks a bit like those scenes from World War Z, just without the high walls.
3
#1 - people in autos need to understand the unconscious sense of entitlement that they exhibit, some idea of 'freedom' leftover from the past few decades - You are NOT entitled to carry around 20 or 30 square feet of personal space while polluting the air that ALL of us breathe --- smaller streets, wider sidewalks ...
#2 - special lanes for people on cellphones -
#2 - special lanes for people on cellphones -
10
I cycled uptown this morning to 48th between 9th and 10th using 8th Ave and crossing over to 10th at 45th because even numbered streets head west to east, and odds east to west so I chose a path that wasn't breaking the law ( I'm no saint. I will go against traffic if 1/2 block saves me 2 blocks. Time is money ). Biking north on 8th once you hit 34th is a pedestrian nightmare. 6th starts at 23rd!They are 2 of the worst cyclists paths on Manhattan.
You feature 7th Ave, but to be honest, because there are no bike lanes on 7th Ave, pedestrians don't consider them as an extension of the sidewalk and don't step out into the street ( I can deal with autos ). Additionally there are very few bike lanes south of canal street, and, being the oldest part of Manhattan, the streets can get narrow, but, as a cyclist I feel safer because people innately don't blindly step into a lane a car travels.
On the plus side, bike lanes have increased peoples awareness of cyclists, but when they knowingly choose the bike lane a pedestrian alternative, they don't realize I can travel 25 mph and neither of us are going to be happy when we collide.
You feature 7th Ave, but to be honest, because there are no bike lanes on 7th Ave, pedestrians don't consider them as an extension of the sidewalk and don't step out into the street ( I can deal with autos ). Additionally there are very few bike lanes south of canal street, and, being the oldest part of Manhattan, the streets can get narrow, but, as a cyclist I feel safer because people innately don't blindly step into a lane a car travels.
On the plus side, bike lanes have increased peoples awareness of cyclists, but when they knowingly choose the bike lane a pedestrian alternative, they don't realize I can travel 25 mph and neither of us are going to be happy when we collide.
9
How about bike riders following the law? They bike everywhere - on streets and on SIDEWALKS and bike the wrong way down one way streets and avenues, in and out of bike lanes.
No more bike lanes until they are licensed, insured and registered and there is consequences for bad or illegal behavior.
Stop considering bikes as a transportation alternative for most people. They are only good for trips of at most 3-5 miles and are not a good use of the roadways. They constrict the rest of the traffic and don't deliver any goods or services (except food), and are seasonally used, and not year round transport. They aren't good for this city.
No more bike lanes until they are licensed, insured and registered and there is consequences for bad or illegal behavior.
Stop considering bikes as a transportation alternative for most people. They are only good for trips of at most 3-5 miles and are not a good use of the roadways. They constrict the rest of the traffic and don't deliver any goods or services (except food), and are seasonally used, and not year round transport. They aren't good for this city.
1
Hear, hear. Go visit Amsterdam for a prime example of bike primacy. There, if you wander into a bike path/lane, too bad for you. The difference? It's instilled in the culture; never saw so many bikes in my life.
1
No more car lanes until there are consequences for bad or illegal behavior. Actually considering the amount of illegal and bad behavior from cars let's just get rid of all car lanes in Midtown.
Problem solved.
Problem solved.
Ha, peons. I, along with my other one-percenters just fire up the chopper to go from the home to the office to the gala. I haven't stepped foot on the filthy street in years.
13
I just spent a week visiting NYC in which I grew up, went to high school and college. Midtown was impossible.
I found that things were easier and more enjoyable by going east, walking on Madison, Park, Lexington. Not empty, but I did not feel that I was being trampled as I did in Midtown.
My wife, who also grew up in NYC disagrees and said that she enjoyed every second of close-packed Midtown.
I found that things were easier and more enjoyable by going east, walking on Madison, Park, Lexington. Not empty, but I did not feel that I was being trampled as I did in Midtown.
My wife, who also grew up in NYC disagrees and said that she enjoyed every second of close-packed Midtown.
6
This past September, I left NYC after almost a decade, and moved to a small Midwestern city. NYC was lots of fun, but this crowd photo reminds me of one thing I definitely do not miss. So does the idea of a commute to Pennsylvania; my commute's now 12 minutes. I'm at a stage in my life where that appeals.
14
I remember in the 1950s people frequently stacked up three and four deep at each cross street on 5th Av. waiting for the light to change.
7
Really? This is what you do every day? I live in one of those lesser towns that New Yorkers denigrate. Our streets may have cobblestones, our sideways may be brick, we may not be (with all due respect to Alexander Hamilton), "The Greatest City in the World." However, on any given workday, we walk through parks that Olmsted designed, and our sidewalks have owners whose pets we know. We have homeless people whose names we know (and we're working really hard to get them into permanent housing). We have people who still say "excuse me" when we jostle a bit. When walking to work in New York seems to be a Third World experience, think of Boston. Just don't move here.
9
Yeah, but your motorists are the worst.
2
And don't move to Colorado either! LOL LOL LOL LOL
Yes, we are. (Not me, of course). When the NYT does an article about driving in cities that were envisioned in 1600/1700s, I will freely admit that Boston is wretched for driving. But we are still a splendid walking city. Just don't move here. And if you do, be polite..
Perfectly illustrates how mindful human being are, not so much. Whether walking the sidewalk or working in city planning, property development, or banking, all most people care about is themselves.
1
Hundreds of thousands of people come to US cities each year, yet we never expand the infrastructure. The heat, the lack of space, the breakdowns, and the awful smells on public transportation are horrendous. Our cities are basically becoming like Asian metropolises where people are pushed or packed in like cattle.
8
Our city has always been, and will always be overcrowded. I'm more worried about the zombies with headphones plugged in and staring directly into the sun (smart phone) while weaving in and out of traffic. What happened to common sense?
6
Sidewalk cafes present many of the obstacles. While I've never been inclined to be nearer to smog and sirens and skateboards while slurping soba, I get the appeal of parking next to pooch on the porch. It's the walking that suffers. And for that I say regulate - at least under scaffolding.
7
Even as a young person, I found myself at the end of a day in Manhattan to be enervated.
Jostling for position on Manhattan sidewalks has never been easy, but I am astonished that the article says that in one year (from 2014 to 2015) there was a 30% increase in foot traffic on Fifth Avenue between 54th and 55th. Is there some explanation for that? Is that city block an exceptional deviation, or is that increase in foot traffic fairly widespread?
Jostling for position on Manhattan sidewalks has never been easy, but I am astonished that the article says that in one year (from 2014 to 2015) there was a 30% increase in foot traffic on Fifth Avenue between 54th and 55th. Is there some explanation for that? Is that city block an exceptional deviation, or is that increase in foot traffic fairly widespread?
2
In that particular area I suspect the reason might be tourists. Locals who can avoid it generally don't walk in areas like that because they are so clogged with tourists. I no longer shop at Saks (at least not in person) in part because the sidewalk situation around there is so unpleasant.
What? No mention of the 55 million tourists that enter the city every year? Or the construction that narrows sidewalks?
The city made a choice between the quality of life of its residents and certain economic interests. This is the result.
The city made a choice between the quality of life of its residents and certain economic interests. This is the result.
10
Maybe NYC can remove all of the cement flower pots, bike stands, unused bus stops, tourists with rolling luggage, ankle high fences surrounding dying grass patches, mail boxes, street signs, trash cans, scaffolding, sandwich boards, street vendors, cafe tables and chairs, garbage pile ups, delivery boxes, sleeping vagrants, dog walkers with 10' leashes, double wide strollers, street pee'ers, awning poles, office smokers, construction barriers, food carts, topless women, angry elmos and all of the other objects that malign the crumbling cement sidewalks of Manhattan. Oh- and maybe fix the subways to actually be reliable and timely while adding lines instead of removing trains. Lastly- all building entrances should be barred from swinging out to the sidewalk- oh how I hate almost being hit by a door swinging open on my walk to work
NYC has lost its civility. The more they treat us like animals, the more we become.
NYC has lost its civility. The more they treat us like animals, the more we become.
17
Ah, the texting dead. They really do seem like zombies, eyes glued to their smartphones as they s-l-o-w-l-y walk, oblivious to everything and everyone around them, not to mention good manners, common sense, and safety. This includes their own safety, since they cross streets still reading their smartphones, or texting a reply.
21
I'm guessing it's an infrastructural and cultural problem more than anything else. The famous "scramble" in Shibuya, Tokyo sees well over 2 million people per day, and over 2,500 people every time the light changes during rush hour. It's way more crowded here than it is in NYC, but people here are more orderly and foot traffic moves more smoothly, even with the tourists and people on cell phones. A lot of this stems from the collectivist mentality that Americans tend to lack (putting the group before the individual). Narrow sidewalks and poor infrastructure don't help at all, of course.
3
There really are too many people everywhere. Still people give birth to two and three people, travel like mad, consume like mad. There is no sense of limits, yet our world is finite.
No talk of the carrying capacity of a given city. Seattle, with an ecosystem depending on snow melt, is facing a loss of snow, hence drinking water, a poisoned Sound, but still the people come. The cars on the road are clearly way too many for the roads. Would anyone ever suggest that people stop moving to New York, Seattle, San Francisco? No. Because we must have "growth."
It's a shame we don't talk to our scientists.
No talk of the carrying capacity of a given city. Seattle, with an ecosystem depending on snow melt, is facing a loss of snow, hence drinking water, a poisoned Sound, but still the people come. The cars on the road are clearly way too many for the roads. Would anyone ever suggest that people stop moving to New York, Seattle, San Francisco? No. Because we must have "growth."
It's a shame we don't talk to our scientists.
13
Hydraulics, people. Hydraulics. Think of people as drops of water, the skyscrapers as water towers and the streets as pipes that take them from one place to another. New York has spent a century on increasing the city's storage capacity but utterly neglected to increase the flow capacity to accommodate it. No wonder the pipes are starting to burst.
5
And what goes unmentioned here is how the dysfunctionality of our city streets has grown even worse for most vehicular traffic. The same clogged mania is now a daily part of the pedestrian experience as well. The bike lanes, bus lanes and ever more pedestrian plazas will only allow it to grow worse.
5
So don't drive here! You won't be missed.
This is easily solved: New Yorkers on one side of the street and tourists on the other. Each group could cross the street only to get to a specific address. Or, if that's too extreme, create side by side pedestrian lanes, with a New Yorkers-only lane and another for out-of-towners. Or hand out instructional sheets to tourists at airports and bus and train stations, informing them that they have to walk briskly, no more than two abreast, and must never ever stop to have group summits in the middle of the sidewalk or at a corner.
3
Or simply illegalize tourism. Tourists are here to have fun, take a vacation, and gawk at Times Square. New Yorkers, on the other hand, have important things to do, and tourists are frequently in the way. Say no to tourism!
Remember when Mayor Ed Koch suggested all cars entering the city should pay $50 for the privilege of driving in (and potentially within the confines of the city)? The city council struck that down as too much of a hindrance and also anti-tourist and the like, but what do we think of that idea today? That is $50 each time, however and maybe about 20 years ago that was considered too steep but what about a fee on top of whatever tolls there are for the right to drive in and use your own car in the city?
3
The Times has totally missed the point. The intolerable congestion on our sidewalks results from the total misallocation of public space between pedestrians and motorists. Even in the pedestrian paradise of Manhattan, the lion's share of our streets is given over to cars, even though the vast majority of trips are made on foot. Incremental change--the odd sidewalk bulb or pedestrian plaza--is not enough. The city has to start reclaiming whole traffic lanes from automobiles to restore pedestrians to their rightful primacy. Motorists who have a problem with that can move to Houston or New Jersey or some other place where the car is king.
114
Congratulations, Will! You just won the internet! Best comment ever. Better allocation of public space. YES. YES. YES.
Much could be solved if people behaved like cars and stayed to the right. What happened to this rule? Currently we have a free-for-all where people walk wherever on the sidewalk they think is most convenient. Erratic pedestrian behavior mirrors our government's failure to get public buy-in on policies that benefit the many provided the many comply.
We need a "Stay Right" campaign just like the "Prevent Gridlock" campaign from the 1980s--and of course creative enforcement. Maybe a variation on the Tokyo subway packers, where sidewalk agents with long sticks and feather dusters at the end tickle people back into place.
We need a "Stay Right" campaign just like the "Prevent Gridlock" campaign from the 1980s--and of course creative enforcement. Maybe a variation on the Tokyo subway packers, where sidewalk agents with long sticks and feather dusters at the end tickle people back into place.
14
It's become impossible to walk or drive in the city. It's as if no one is in charge. The public and private sectors are not communicating on construction and repairs. It seems the only people able to get around are the illegal gangs of MAD MAX motorcycle stunt drivers. Cars double and triple park on 42nd street. Empty taxies block traffic as they snake in double parked lines at Grand Central. The FDR drive is turning into a parking lot. Sidewalks are blocked with vendors. Empty stores are blighting the city. What is going on now is horrific for business. Working Times Square is a nightmare. The sidewalks are filthy. Walk between Park & Madison on 41st street and the stench of human excrement, dirty sidewalks, broken pavement and graffiti are sickening. In the highest taxed city in the U.S. we are living in deplorable conditions. New York City is turning into a DUMP
23
The older commercial districts typically have narrower sidewalks and teem with people walking and talking, eating, looking upwards if a tourist and lost finding an address. New minimum building requirements should include wider sidewalks and mandatory atrium public spaces to offset the number of people a newly built building may have.
1
Interesting that nowhere in the article and only one comment mentions the unwritten rule of walking on the right-a practice that has been ignored for decade or more. I doubt if anyone under the age of 50 even knows about it!
It’s been a pet peeve for years, as I’ve been hit, shoved and generally banged about by people going in the opposite direction with no understanding of the time honored pedestrian traffic rule. And heaven help the elderly and the injured! No one is spared, as thoughtless people mindlessly press on to their all important next destination.
Does anyone remember public service announcements like, “Cross at the green, not in between?” A campaign of subway and street signs reminding folks to
stay to the right would help. It won’t change bad behavior, but at least it would create a more orderly flow of foot traffic.
It’s been a pet peeve for years, as I’ve been hit, shoved and generally banged about by people going in the opposite direction with no understanding of the time honored pedestrian traffic rule. And heaven help the elderly and the injured! No one is spared, as thoughtless people mindlessly press on to their all important next destination.
Does anyone remember public service announcements like, “Cross at the green, not in between?” A campaign of subway and street signs reminding folks to
stay to the right would help. It won’t change bad behavior, but at least it would create a more orderly flow of foot traffic.
20
Yes I remember the public service announcement "Cross at the green;;;" and can even sing a little of the jingle that accompanied it.
I think it would be a very good idea to try to educate people to walk on the right and probably not too expensive an undertaking, especially considering the possible benefits.
I think it would be a very good idea to try to educate people to walk on the right and probably not too expensive an undertaking, especially considering the possible benefits.
The number of people using the 3/4 of the right of way dedicated to cars is much lower than the number of people using the 1/4 of the right of way dedicated to pedestrians.
Completely disproportional.
I won't even start about the space given over to free parking! It's simply illogical.
Completely disproportional.
I won't even start about the space given over to free parking! It's simply illogical.
3
The sidewalks are busting at the seams, spilling into the Avenue bike lanes --- which many pedestrians see as (relatively) safer than walking in the Avenues. And yet, most of the street space is still allocated to cars. No surprise peds are getting hit by bikes. Manhattan needs to get serious about widening sidewalks and providing quality bike lanes, even if that comes at the expense of parking and travel lanes for cars. Unlike building sidewalks in the sky, this is a practical, cost-effective solution.
43
Yes, yes yes. I see so many comments here that are not acknowledging that there IS space for pedestrians. That space is currently given to motor vehicles, to taxis, to personal cars, etc. More space for pedestrians is needed. Ask your "traffic" engineer: what is the Level of Service for PEDESTRIANS?
I applaud the efforts of creative urban planners to try and create pedestrian friendly corridors. But at some point the folks on the zoning and planning boars have to also pay attention to this issue of overcrowding . Parts of the city are becoming too dense to sustain quality of life on the sidewalks with all these skyscrapers sprouting up.
Yes, I know the real estate industry practically runs the city, but do people have to fall in front of subway trains simply because the platforms are overcrowded before they get the message? I'm not saying no growth, just slow the growth and give the city's infrasctructure a chance to catch up with it density.
Yes, I know the real estate industry practically runs the city, but do people have to fall in front of subway trains simply because the platforms are overcrowded before they get the message? I'm not saying no growth, just slow the growth and give the city's infrasctructure a chance to catch up with it density.
59
Maybe the NYcity should start developing raised walking corridors like they do in Hong Kong or Kuala Lumpur. Connect the buildings by overhead corridors two-three stories off the ground. It gets people out of the smog of cars/trucks and buses, and it can be temperature controlled.
Those of us who grew up in Manhattan can tell you that NY has always been crowded. There are some areas of town that a local just does not go to during certain times and days of the week. If studies indicate numbers are up, it does not conflate to there being a new problem just the old one creeping back into relevance.
Any "solution" will involve expenditures, compromises and quite a lot of finger pointing. We all love NY and thank our lucky stars to call it home. Fortunately there are solutions to mitigate the issue but not everyone is going to like them nor should they.
I would start by closing a few streets and an avenue during peak walk times. Pedestrian access and mobility is far more important than the limited amount of cars, trucks and buses that can fit on the street. Yes it would inconvenience some but would significantly benefit larger numbers of others. If 42nd street were closed from 7 to 9 am say, there would be PLENTY of space for the power walkers, the idle, the gawking tourists and streetcarts. Who takes the 42nd st crosstown bus during those hours to begin with ? Avenue or alternating street traffic could be managed with police at intersections.
NY could spend far more money to widen sidewalks, build new subway lines and attempt to impose order on the sidewalk chaos but closing the streets for limited periods solves most of the problem as marginal costs.
Any "solution" will involve expenditures, compromises and quite a lot of finger pointing. We all love NY and thank our lucky stars to call it home. Fortunately there are solutions to mitigate the issue but not everyone is going to like them nor should they.
I would start by closing a few streets and an avenue during peak walk times. Pedestrian access and mobility is far more important than the limited amount of cars, trucks and buses that can fit on the street. Yes it would inconvenience some but would significantly benefit larger numbers of others. If 42nd street were closed from 7 to 9 am say, there would be PLENTY of space for the power walkers, the idle, the gawking tourists and streetcarts. Who takes the 42nd st crosstown bus during those hours to begin with ? Avenue or alternating street traffic could be managed with police at intersections.
NY could spend far more money to widen sidewalks, build new subway lines and attempt to impose order on the sidewalk chaos but closing the streets for limited periods solves most of the problem as marginal costs.
38
You are not considering the needs of people with disabilities, who rely upon public buses to get around the city. I'm all in favor of increasing pedestrian access and mobility, but not at the expense of people for whom walking is difficult. Not every disabled person is in a wheelchair; some of us can walk but with much greater difficulty than the fully able-bodied.
Every other street and avenue in the city should be pedestrianized. Feet move far more people in the city than cars, cabs, or even buses. Why do we let the inefficient vehicles crowd out the efficient walkers. Its crazy. City's are no place for cars. Let's start with the private ones, impose congestion pricing at the very least. The cars not only crowd out the peds, they slow them down at every intersection as we have to wait for them. Without cars on a street, signals disappear, you don't have to stop at every intersection. Bodies are smart enough to walk on the street in all directions at once, nary brushing shoulders.
8
It's sad, but NYC is so crowded now that it's basically unlivable. Some Asian cities and Third World cities are immensely overcrowded like this, but no one is praising them for their wonderful urban cityscapes. In any case, for people who have lived in NYC for years it's become a nightmare. It's basically impossible to have a pleasant walk on the street anywhere in midtown Manhattan. Central Park is so crowded, too, that it's a nightmare! The population has increased by 1 million people in just the last 20 years, but services and public spaces have not increased accordingly. In fact, we've created huge skyscraper condos out of former public places like fire stations, libraries and post offices. It's so strange to destroy community and civic entities in order to create monster residences. Stop building huge condos! We have enough people in NYC already! Build some libraries and community centers and parks, for God's sake! Let us walk on the damn street again! Let us sit in the park in peace again!
23
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that one of the busiest cities on Earth is beset by tourists and out-of-towners who lolly-gag and walk at a dazed snail's pace. The solution for which I offered in a video when I was trying daily to get to work at Kaplan and had to resort to walking in the street--something I learned to do in Gangnam, South Korea: We need express, stroll and brows lanes on the very wide sidewalks of new York City. That is remedy one; Two is, catch up with other civilized societies and ban smoking on the streets, which causes people to walk way out their way to avoid inhaling the radioactive polonium, cadmium and lead. I can never walk straight to my destination even when the sidewalk is only moderately crowded, because I refuse to inhale that refuse. The third remedy is get the dilapidated and obnoxious petty vendors off the streets; far be it from me to believe a person does not have a right to make a living, but these sellers are an eye-sore, they are loud, and they block traffic selling junk that belongs at a flea market. Solution four is to provide decent, safe shelters so that the sidewalks are not flop houses for homeless people---who are on every main street, now. It is a tragedy and something decent and expensive needs to be done about it, for their sake and ours.
6
Two recommendations to the City government:
1) How about a public health campaign warning people about the dangers of walking and texting? NYC pedestrians are obsessed with their cellphones to an extent I don't see anywhere else. I've traveled to major capitals in Europe and the U.S. and this isn't nearly such a problem. (The smokers here are awful too, but they mostly have a death wish to begin with.)
2) Better zoning laws. One reason the city is getting more crowded has to do with the growing density of skyscrapers. Not only do developers build as tall and out-of-context as they like, but the city seems to be encouraging it. The infrastructure simply can't keep up (also see: NYC subways).
1) How about a public health campaign warning people about the dangers of walking and texting? NYC pedestrians are obsessed with their cellphones to an extent I don't see anywhere else. I've traveled to major capitals in Europe and the U.S. and this isn't nearly such a problem. (The smokers here are awful too, but they mostly have a death wish to begin with.)
2) Better zoning laws. One reason the city is getting more crowded has to do with the growing density of skyscrapers. Not only do developers build as tall and out-of-context as they like, but the city seems to be encouraging it. The infrastructure simply can't keep up (also see: NYC subways).
5
Create different sidewalk lanes for fast and slow walkers. Give all tourists information that the US drives and walks to the right in any pathway and that walking more than 2 abreast is just plain rude. Create 2-foot diameter spaces at corners known to have great camera angles and fine anyone who takes a photo from outside those spaces.
Limit how many food carts can occupy the four corners of a city block - Bryant Park now has another 3, yes, 3 carts on 40 St within 150 feet of the subway entrance, along with the 3-foot diameter sidewalk flower pots, the sectioned-off area for their trash bags, and the commuters who must fight with tourists for what is now half as much space as before, which was never enough to handle all the walkers. This was supposed to infuse the area with a new spirit? It infused it with more crowded conditions which people react to with anger.
Get rid of the pedestrian plazas on nearly every corner in midtown - they create traffic jams and encourage tourists to linger along the sidewalks and slow movement of other walkers and cars. Much as Bloomberg wanted it to be, NYC is not Europe. It's become a hell-ish obstacle course of a working city.
It began with Giuliani deciding to make NYC a Disneyland, with Bloomberg continuing his dream of Europe, and deBlasio who has no vision at all and is making it worse.
Limit how many food carts can occupy the four corners of a city block - Bryant Park now has another 3, yes, 3 carts on 40 St within 150 feet of the subway entrance, along with the 3-foot diameter sidewalk flower pots, the sectioned-off area for their trash bags, and the commuters who must fight with tourists for what is now half as much space as before, which was never enough to handle all the walkers. This was supposed to infuse the area with a new spirit? It infused it with more crowded conditions which people react to with anger.
Get rid of the pedestrian plazas on nearly every corner in midtown - they create traffic jams and encourage tourists to linger along the sidewalks and slow movement of other walkers and cars. Much as Bloomberg wanted it to be, NYC is not Europe. It's become a hell-ish obstacle course of a working city.
It began with Giuliani deciding to make NYC a Disneyland, with Bloomberg continuing his dream of Europe, and deBlasio who has no vision at all and is making it worse.
6
Simple, New York is a mega attraction for people all over the globe either for working or as a tourist centre and hence the chaos and crisis. Where there are too much people, there obviously is a mega mess. Look at Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad etc, just too many people and literally impossible to breathe even.
Under the circumstances it becomes extremely difficult for the municipalities to run the show. Winter in New York literally throws pedestrians completely out of gear since sidewalks are never cleared. Municipality is not to blame mainly because there is too much of work and pressure for the maintenance staff to clear main roads. As such sidewalks are completely ignored. This problem is compounded by Real Estate owners, home owners and car owners, who park their cars on roads on either side, playing cat and mouse game when it comes to clearing the snow.
Under the circumstances it becomes extremely difficult for the municipalities to run the show. Winter in New York literally throws pedestrians completely out of gear since sidewalks are never cleared. Municipality is not to blame mainly because there is too much of work and pressure for the maintenance staff to clear main roads. As such sidewalks are completely ignored. This problem is compounded by Real Estate owners, home owners and car owners, who park their cars on roads on either side, playing cat and mouse game when it comes to clearing the snow.
2
How much snow do you get in Hyderabad, Pochiraju?
I've always been fond of the idea, even before 9/11 of banning cars in Manhattan and other parts of the city. One could make a clever counter terrorism argument around it but it would be flawed some since technically ermm.. other methods exist in getting devices in crowded areas of course. Nonetheless, it would be nice to see a city center etc ban cars and require walking and bicycling with some streets designated for buses going east/west/north/south at faster speeds with bans on pedestrians/bikes on those streets. Of course emergency vehicles should be allowed where when necessary. Would love to see Center City, Philadelphia adopt a similar strategy. That said I do argue cities would need to provide some sort of mass designated parking area outside of those areas as people still will drive as close to the particular area as possible but then park in a garage or whatever and continue onto the commute on foot, bike, bus or subway.
3
Elevated sidewalks above existing sidewalks?
Who decided NYC is a world class walking city? I've heard this so many times and I don't get it. Walking in NYC is a horrendous experience. It's loud, smelly, crowded and slow, because the traffic lights will stop you so often every block. So, many other cities are much easier and much nicer to walk around; DC, Boston, Paris, Barcelona, Montreal.
70
It used to be. Still is compared to most places. I and friends and family would walk to work several miles most days. You used to see thousands of people walking home from work in midtown to the UES and UWS, not so much anymore.
1
Well a lot of small towns, such as you mentioned make walking easier, but to what purpose? You're still in that small town.
1
It is not that "NYC is a world class walking city", but that there is no other way to get around, unlike every other city in the US.
Understand?
Understand?
Just another fascinating false allure of NYC. Whatever you're doing in NYC there's 8 million other people doing the same thing. And for this you get to pay extraordinarily high taxes and live in an overpriced hovel of an apartment working for the landlord.
Give me Palm Beach County!
Give me Palm Beach County!
5
I retired to Cape Cod in 2007 after living in Manhattan for about 40yrs. I thank God, karma...whatever/whomever for my great good fortune. I was in NYC a few yrs ago and left before my stay at friend's was up. What do I miss? the Met, the smells of Zabars, Chinatown, Pearl Paint, Pearl River Mart, Little Italy, Anthropologie, Lord & Taylor, the Arts Student League....New Yorkers...What is the tradeoff? Living the dream...and in an environment where the homeless, beaches, turtles, piping plovers are on the town's agenda's and w very few sidewalks. I can drive home at night and sometimes see only 3 or 4 cars on the road for miles.
5
A first time visitor from India I chaperoned recently observed how 'few' people were on the street.
1
Perhaps create two lanes in opposite directions for people. Texting is not allowed unless you get off the lane.
I walk from 33 to 55 and back daily (along Broadway or 6 Ave). It is crowded but seeing so many beautiful women in the street makes it worth the effort!
If you can afford to live in NYC then you can live anywhere. Given the internet, location is not supposed to matter anymore, so why do so many choose to live there? I lived 10 years in NYC, just before 9/11. They said there was a certain "energy" there, but it was just marketing. I just didn't feel it, not even in Manhattan. Actually it was pretty grim (save Central Park). And I would think anyone that is even mildly security conscious would avoid any of the big cities now.
2
I'm in it all day. It's like being a member of a roller derby team, New Yorkers vs Tourist. Walking in Manhattan has become a competitive sport. Lets go New Yorkers! Lol
37
Recently I made the "mistake" of taking the B train to Yankee Stadium and had to get off and catch the D at 145th St. I wanted to get to the game on time so I shoved and maneuvered my way into a jammed packed car and only got in because a couple of others gave up and got off. Today on my way to the game some guy called me a “nut” because I had too aggressively, for his liking, got on the D at West 4th to get a seat to the stadium. I thanked him by ignoring him who looked more nutty than I.
Yes I'm guilty of being a New Yorker who has a lifetime of beating most when I have “a place to go”. I’ve been retired for going on 21 years but that hasn’t slowed me down and it pleases me that at 76 I’m still moving strong… right down the most densely packed streets while the tourists and the timid can risk getting mowed down in the street and the bike lanes. Hell, getting around NYC is my exercise and the more difficult the better my workout.
Suits me fine if it's becoming a contact sport.
Yes I'm guilty of being a New Yorker who has a lifetime of beating most when I have “a place to go”. I’ve been retired for going on 21 years but that hasn’t slowed me down and it pleases me that at 76 I’m still moving strong… right down the most densely packed streets while the tourists and the timid can risk getting mowed down in the street and the bike lanes. Hell, getting around NYC is my exercise and the more difficult the better my workout.
Suits me fine if it's becoming a contact sport.
1
It’s not just the number of people or the lack of courtesy. Far too many take up too much space with too much stuff – everything from shopping bags to excess adipose tissue. Combined with the meandering smart phone zombies, and yeah, gridlock, or maybe ‘fleshlock’.
4
Seems obvious. Ban cars in Manhattan (and provide more/better rail options from outside the city ... yeah, I'm looking at you 'Governor' Christie ...)
Now ya got *lots* of sidewalk.
Now ya got *lots* of sidewalk.
2
Yes, the situation is bad there, however try walking around downtown Flushing NY. Dangerously congested.
2
Most New Yorkers avoid mid-town like the plague--even when they work there.
We all know the city has always been crowded and crazy but somehow, it was still ours....Now, it's ours, their's and everybody elses's.
We all know the city has always been crowded and crazy but somehow, it was still ours....Now, it's ours, their's and everybody elses's.
2
I've been working in NYC since 1984. It was crowded then, it's crowded now. It'll be crowded 25 years from now. It's NYC! Apart from am/pm rush hour and the three areas highlighted in the article, walking around is still the best way to see, the city. If you go to Chelsea, Meatpacking District or the West Village at 2:30pm, you'll have no problem getting around. Even on weekends, I never had an issue with crowded streets. I avoid Penn Station, Times Square and the Port Authority - these will always be jammed. This is a non-issue. Worry about the lack of an reliable, modern, and updated commuter system (LIRR, Metro North). Provide those who work outside of Manhattan with this and you will see a greater improvement in overall quality of life in the city and outlining areas.
3
Add a sane lane on the sidewalk for people willing to ride piggy-back
3
"Transportation officials are taking measures to alleviate the congestion."
Here's a suggestion for the "officials" of NYC, tell developers to stop razing every parking lot in town for more unneeded luxury towers, thus forcing even more cars into the traffic clogged streets!!!!!
Here's a suggestion for the "officials" of NYC, tell developers to stop razing every parking lot in town for more unneeded luxury towers, thus forcing even more cars into the traffic clogged streets!!!!!
1
NYC needs housing, not parking lots. Drivers are going to have to "yield" to residents.
"...Only London and Tokyo have sidewalks as congested..."
I spent a lot of time in London and it is not even close to being as congested as NYC. The city is spread out like LA, a lot of little villages connected by rail and subway lines, and the sidewalks are much wider than are New York's.
But Tokyo? That sounds about right.
I spent a lot of time in London and it is not even close to being as congested as NYC. The city is spread out like LA, a lot of little villages connected by rail and subway lines, and the sidewalks are much wider than are New York's.
But Tokyo? That sounds about right.
Real new yorkers walk on the street. The sidewalk is for tourists. At least in the 15+ years I've worked in Midtown, I've felt this is the best course of action.
One big problem with walking in New York is that the lights are timed for cars, not pedestrians. If you walk at a New Yorker's relatively speedy pace and the light turns red as you arrive at a corner, you will be stopped by a red light at every corner thereafter unless you turn. The only way to break the pattern is to dash across, against the light, so you'll have a walk sign at the next corner, and the next. It's dangerous, and probably contributes to pedestrian injuries and deaths, but what else are you supposed to do? So how about changing the timing of the lights to favor pedestrians? There's a lot more of us.
4
Aaaaah. The sidewalks of New York. Jane Jacobs, Lewis Mumford, and Charles Lawlor revered them. Robert Moses tried to destroy them. And Moses won. Now, the sidewalks of NY are like the Long Island Expressway (the L.I.E.)
They simply can't handle the "flow."
Staggered work hours, congestion pricing, a fee for having a car and not having proof that you have off-street parking, East River tolls, but with NYC residents getting a free pass. There would be fewer cars on the road, fewer cars parked on the road, and more money for badly needed work on our infrastructure,
They simply can't handle the "flow."
Staggered work hours, congestion pricing, a fee for having a car and not having proof that you have off-street parking, East River tolls, but with NYC residents getting a free pass. There would be fewer cars on the road, fewer cars parked on the road, and more money for badly needed work on our infrastructure,
41
Love the idea of proof of parking. Any city wouldn't supply me a space to store my refrigerator or couch, but tax payers subsidize low cost/free public space for people to store motor vehicles. It's very silly how little the driver pays directly. Drivers pay so little, and we give them so much space.
We need courageous leaders in NYC and elsewhere to scale back the public space given over to the motor vehicle.
We need courageous leaders in NYC and elsewhere to scale back the public space given over to the motor vehicle.
From California, where both population hubs--SF/Bay Area and LA have so much auto traffic, it is impossible to make plans, since one never knows how long it will take to get to any destination. That said, the LIE took my breath--and nearly my life--away. Walking in Manhattan is a piece of cake compared to driving in CA or NY.
I see your journalism degree did not require a course in Physics, Ms. Hu.
It's Physics 101.
The volume of bodies using the available space exceeds the volume of space available to be used by those bodies.
Solutions?
Tiered sidewalks?
Monorails running up and down each street?
Moving sidewalks?
It's Physics 101.
The volume of bodies using the available space exceeds the volume of space available to be used by those bodies.
Solutions?
Tiered sidewalks?
Monorails running up and down each street?
Moving sidewalks?
When gentrifying neighborhoods take off vertical, like has recently happened in western Crown Heights, you get the tyranny of the sandwich boards.
When one gets one, everyone does. Establishments will sometimes will place them squarely in the middle of narrow, congested sidewalks.
When one gets one, everyone does. Establishments will sometimes will place them squarely in the middle of narrow, congested sidewalks.
1
Any New Yorker who texts while walking should not be complaining about slow moving tourists!
4
I prefer a dirt road in Vermont.
1
You call that a crush of pedestrians? Come to Mumbai!
5
Chicago has the Pedway.....a network of tunnels, ground-level concourses, and bridges.
2
(I live in Chicago.) I don't find the Pedway (there are several different, and separate, sections of it; it isn't one continuous pathway) at all convenient, and much of it is not attractive. It sounds much better than it really is, I have found.
Same in Montreal...somewhere I read there are tunnels available in midtown, some that were closed....maybe they can be reopened.....
Employers should encourage people to choose their own hours: 7-3, 8-4, 9-5, 10-6 p.m. That could space out some of the traffic over a longer span of time.
4
It's the bikes. It's the bikes. . It's the bikes. They have completely compounded the pedestrian overcrowding problem. Try stepping around people by going off the curb, and you risk being hit by a bicyclist who may, or may not, be going in the correct lane direction. Wish we could roll back Bloomberg's "big bike idea." Maybe someday we will. Wishful thinking, I'm afraid.
3
Every biker is one less person on (1) driving (2) on the subway or (3) walking on the sidewalk.
So no, your statement is incorrect.
So no, your statement is incorrect.
What bothers me the most are the tourists that walk 4 or more across a sidewalk. I feel like telling them you're not running down a football field after a kickoff . Then there are the 3 or 4 people who literally stand in the middle of the sidewalk having a conversation totally oblivious to anyone around them . of course less street vendors selling cheap cell phone cases and sunglasses would help too . Rant over.
4
Relax, people, it's New York. And this Singh lady, what is she doing in New York if she is so uncomfortable with people?
It's New York, people live in the sky, and they are not coming down as just wind or something that won't crowd the sidewalks. And everyone wants to come see the city. So, if you don't like people, then New York is not for you, just leave, the city is already hanging in the sky, unless you want it to disappear into the clouds altogether.
It's New York, people live in the sky, and they are not coming down as just wind or something that won't crowd the sidewalks. And everyone wants to come see the city. So, if you don't like people, then New York is not for you, just leave, the city is already hanging in the sky, unless you want it to disappear into the clouds altogether.
3
Five million+ tourists and not one of them knows how to walk!
News: Walk like you drive, faster walkers to the left, slower walkers (all tourists) to the right and, NO, do not walk 3-4 abreast or stopping in the middle of the sidewalk or blocking the intersection, as if none of the thousands of good people trying to get by you exists.
Is that really so hard?
News: Walk like you drive, faster walkers to the left, slower walkers (all tourists) to the right and, NO, do not walk 3-4 abreast or stopping in the middle of the sidewalk or blocking the intersection, as if none of the thousands of good people trying to get by you exists.
Is that really so hard?
5
Earlier this year I visited Dhaka, Bangladesh. Trust me, Manhattan is not the only place with a problem.
2
Crowded sidewalks are also due to massive construction and blocked sidewalks
Dear NY Times: I'm begging you ... please tell the clueless masses NOT to come to Soho. There's nothing for them to see down here. Just some old cast iron buildings and overpriced coffee. Nothing else. Thank you.
1
Is it just me or has my beautiful city become filthy and smelly and simply overgrown with weeds wherever one looks. Not to mention that drivers are clearly not getting ticketed and becoming ruder and more brazen by the day.
Mayor DiBlasio must be thanked for this disgusting plight.
Mayor DiBlasio must be thanked for this disgusting plight.
2
If every pedestrian, native and tourist alike, would follow one rule "STAY TO YOUR RIGHT" 99% of the time (pass on the left like a car, people!), walkers would be able to move along congested thoroughfares, but no one seems to know how to walk on city sidewalks. Also, move to single file when the walkway narrows, have some common sense (and human decency) about this and everything will work much better.
10
Surely someone must be looking into Hong Kong's solution -- elevated moving sidewalks.
3
Lets paint a line down the middle of all the sidewalks. One side painted with the word "fast" and the other painted with the word "slow". Have the NYPD write tickets to anyone (tourists) not appropriately using their designated lane. Think of all the revenue the city could bring in!
2
Perhaps we need designated HOV lanes for pregnant persons...
they need to build sky walks .....on many different levels...to relieve foot traffic on ground level
1
Another thing that bothers me is the giant baby strollers people now use -- often with side attachments for groceries, yoga mats and other personal items. Some of them are enormous, and when you get two moms or nannies walking side by side with those things they can take up the whole sidewalk.
15
I can remember, so clearly, my first day in Manhattan. I had emerged from Penn Station and I stood at 34th and 8th, read to cross 34th. The light turned green and a wall of people, the width of the crosswalk came barreling toward me.
I had made it. THIS was NYC - this sea of humanity seen nowhere else, really, in the US. The density, the diversity, the determination of every foot step.
Ah, NYC, how I love you.
I had made it. THIS was NYC - this sea of humanity seen nowhere else, really, in the US. The density, the diversity, the determination of every foot step.
Ah, NYC, how I love you.
84
So did you move out of the way or just stand there blocking that moving mass of people with a deer-in-the-headlights look on your face like most tourists?
Because if you did not learn to step aside then, bet you learned to very quickly.
Because if you did not learn to step aside then, bet you learned to very quickly.
This is what America is getting for not updating the infrastructure in America we are literally crumbling right before our eyes. Wake up Americans it is time we fix this country once and for all.
8
NYC should have mandatory tourist walking lanes -- let them take selfies and meander as much as they like, but away from the locals. OK, not gonna happen, but it's a compelling vision.
There are 8,500,000 people in NYC, making it the largest city in the USA.
Add to that the number of people who daily work in the city, and I'd say that's an awfully lot of people.
Add to that the daily traffic and trucks dropping off merchandise, and you have a major headache and problem.
Have I any solutions?
1. Varied schedules for people working in the city.
2. If possible, have trucks make their deliveries in the early morning.
In downtown Montreal (a smaller Canadian city), trucks are not allowed at
certain busy hours during the day, and deliveries have to happen in the
early morning hours.
3. Have NYC have a contest for people to submit their ideas to improve
conditions.
4. Limit the number of new tall buildings in the downtown core. The larger the
building or condo, the more people will live in NYC in the future.
5. Have a larger underground for pedestrians to make their way from one
place to the other. Montreal has large underground connections, which are
more suited for people to avoid the sub-zero weather and snow.
Add to that the number of people who daily work in the city, and I'd say that's an awfully lot of people.
Add to that the daily traffic and trucks dropping off merchandise, and you have a major headache and problem.
Have I any solutions?
1. Varied schedules for people working in the city.
2. If possible, have trucks make their deliveries in the early morning.
In downtown Montreal (a smaller Canadian city), trucks are not allowed at
certain busy hours during the day, and deliveries have to happen in the
early morning hours.
3. Have NYC have a contest for people to submit their ideas to improve
conditions.
4. Limit the number of new tall buildings in the downtown core. The larger the
building or condo, the more people will live in NYC in the future.
5. Have a larger underground for pedestrians to make their way from one
place to the other. Montreal has large underground connections, which are
more suited for people to avoid the sub-zero weather and snow.
7
> Varied schedules for people working in the city.
Not enough companies consider this. You'd think the corporate types who praise "thinking outside the box" might embrace later start times and regular work-from-home days. What's the corporate equivalent of "sheeple"?
Not enough companies consider this. You'd think the corporate types who praise "thinking outside the box" might embrace later start times and regular work-from-home days. What's the corporate equivalent of "sheeple"?
1
One thing that I have not seen to the degree I see it in NY, is how unwilling to move and share the sidewalk with oncoming pedestrians NYers are. As if they owned the lane they were in. This of course leads to uncomfortable negotiations of space, with bumped shoulders, elbows, even tangled feet and outright head on collisions. There is the Darwinian intimidation factor, where the bigger the brute the less willing he is to move. However, I've seen a harried woman striding at full speed also exhibiting the same behavior. She aint moving out of the way of anyone.
When they speak of the 'rat race', this is what it signifies for me.
Of course there are the clueless morons who decide its time for a conference in the middle of a busy street. Instead of stepping to the side, they block the center of the sidewalk, set up camp at the entrance to a subway station.
This all really speaks to the selfishness of many if not most in this city. Everyone doing their own thing, irrespective and damm the others. It's one reason why I can't wait to leave and move to a civilized city like Barcelona, where people have learned to share their beautiful space.
When they speak of the 'rat race', this is what it signifies for me.
Of course there are the clueless morons who decide its time for a conference in the middle of a busy street. Instead of stepping to the side, they block the center of the sidewalk, set up camp at the entrance to a subway station.
This all really speaks to the selfishness of many if not most in this city. Everyone doing their own thing, irrespective and damm the others. It's one reason why I can't wait to leave and move to a civilized city like Barcelona, where people have learned to share their beautiful space.
11
I often walk the crowded western sidewalk of Eighth Avenue up to Columbus Circle, and been elbowed on occasion by other pedestrians. It seems that too many people have never learned the simple rule of keeping to the right whenever you're walking with others - whether on the street or up or down a staircase.
But as far as Manhattan's overcrowded streets are concerned, that's only the gradually accumulated wages of the massive overbuilding in Manhattan roughly from 96th Street southward since the early 1980's.
I suggest that any reader of this post consult this newspaper's very own search engine for Paul Goldberger's brilliant, beautifully written commentaries from the early '80's onward on what he regarded as the poorly designed, far too gigantic and often dull-looking skyscrapers being built during that profligate decade.
A typically candid one to start with is an "Architecture View" of Mr. Godlberger's, " The Prospect of Bigger Towers Cast a Shadow," from December 29, 1985.
In that commentary he specifically chastises a certain grandiose real estate operator named Trump, and then goes on to chide two prominent architects for "a fixation on a kind of gigantism that is not at all a happy prospect for New York."
That "gigantism" has, down the decades, overshadowed neighborhoods - and helped to overcrowd Manhattan's streets - and more of "gigantism's" overcrowding of the streets is in the works - thanks to the planlessness lamented by the prophetic Paul Goldberger.
But as far as Manhattan's overcrowded streets are concerned, that's only the gradually accumulated wages of the massive overbuilding in Manhattan roughly from 96th Street southward since the early 1980's.
I suggest that any reader of this post consult this newspaper's very own search engine for Paul Goldberger's brilliant, beautifully written commentaries from the early '80's onward on what he regarded as the poorly designed, far too gigantic and often dull-looking skyscrapers being built during that profligate decade.
A typically candid one to start with is an "Architecture View" of Mr. Godlberger's, " The Prospect of Bigger Towers Cast a Shadow," from December 29, 1985.
In that commentary he specifically chastises a certain grandiose real estate operator named Trump, and then goes on to chide two prominent architects for "a fixation on a kind of gigantism that is not at all a happy prospect for New York."
That "gigantism" has, down the decades, overshadowed neighborhoods - and helped to overcrowd Manhattan's streets - and more of "gigantism's" overcrowding of the streets is in the works - thanks to the planlessness lamented by the prophetic Paul Goldberger.
18
Just to agree with you on rereading--or reading for the first time--both Paul Goldberger (and those interested might try to locate a copy of his wonderful The City Observed, about Manhattan architecture) and also David W. Dunlap, who is still with the Times. How I enjoyed reading both of them, as a very young adult!
1
I guess the young folks who write for the Times didn't study the history of their adopted city.
For instance, if they took the time to take a look at some photos from the late 19th century all the way through to the 1940s and 1950s one might notice that congestion was a daily fact of life in many working class Manhattan neighborhoods with the same competition between people, street vendors and businesses, automobiles and trucks (and on the west side, trains running on surface streets), all jockeying for space on all too narrow sidewalks.
The point is that congestion will always be a fact of life when you place far too many people in too small a space.
For instance, if they took the time to take a look at some photos from the late 19th century all the way through to the 1940s and 1950s one might notice that congestion was a daily fact of life in many working class Manhattan neighborhoods with the same competition between people, street vendors and businesses, automobiles and trucks (and on the west side, trains running on surface streets), all jockeying for space on all too narrow sidewalks.
The point is that congestion will always be a fact of life when you place far too many people in too small a space.
63
What's the point of restating the article?
I agree. It's the same with the subways, just take a look at the pictures and read some of the stories from the 1930's and 1940's before the IND expansion. A city with about the same population then. Life went on. Today, a bunch of whining out-of-town transplants who want streets like that of Peoria. These people want their cake and eat it too. Move.
Your point may be correct, but why in the world did it have to begin by maligning the reporters?
1
This problem was already experienced and solved in central Hong Kong. Install pedestrian walkways along midtown streets at the third floor level of buildings. You get bridges across the streets separating pedestrians from cyclists, trucks, cars and buses. The walkways can be air-conditioned, open into a new layer of retail space in the buildings, be equipped with people-moving belts if needed, and be accessed by high speed escalators and elevators from the subway or rail stations. If push really comes to shove, an elevated railway running on rubber wheels could run along the avenues to further add to the ability for people to move around.
136
Nice post. I thought of the elevated train system some time ago. It should be more like a monorail system. Much cheaper than digging a hole for miles, and much faster it can be built and running. Then you'll have the whioners who don't want their view blocked. Never can win.
Elevated at the third floor, with access to buildings and diagonal street crossings. Up and down points at bus stops and subway entries. No people movers, most people would just stand there. No AC. Covered and fenced. Maybe business sponsored benches. No food courts or vendors. Definitely have fenced areas to stop, like a parking stall, without blocking traffic. No bikes or skate boards. If you're up there, you're walking. Anything else, down to the side walk.
Great, let's all live in the population density of Hong Kong!
Not me, I'm an American.
Not me, I'm an American.
What about two pedestrian lanes mid-street on busy streets, one in each direction?
6
Or the far simpler solution - widen the sidewalks!
1
I feel bad for Ms. Garcia for having such a job, but people standing smack dab in the middle of foot traffic to shove flyers at you goes on my "Top 5 NYC nuisances" list.
If they were to stand a bit out of the way, the interested (slow- walking ) parties would still see them and the ones walking to work could move through faster; same for mobile hat vendors. I actually wish the city would impose fines against these businesses that deliberately inconvenience tens of thousands of people in that way (not the poor souls working it, but in Ms. Garcia's case, the pub). You know, "deliberate public obstruction", which is no different from a parking fee if you think about it.
If they were to stand a bit out of the way, the interested (slow- walking ) parties would still see them and the ones walking to work could move through faster; same for mobile hat vendors. I actually wish the city would impose fines against these businesses that deliberately inconvenience tens of thousands of people in that way (not the poor souls working it, but in Ms. Garcia's case, the pub). You know, "deliberate public obstruction", which is no different from a parking fee if you think about it.
32
Finally the Times is reporting on this! What took you so long? Add to this the record numbers of tourists with zero commensurate improvements in public transportation or any infrastructure whatsoever and here we are. Oh, and please report on the hordes of homeless jockeying for space under all the construction scaffolding of luxury offices and apartments.
58
I moved to Baxter St. 20 years ago (between Grand & Hester, one little block above Canal St). In the time I've been here, especially right after 9/11, it seems like the tourist traffic has increased ten-fold! It's crazy. The tour buses just line up and unload their passengers on Centre St. Then they just clog the sidewalks from morning until evening, doing the tourist-shuffle (you know it when you see it: walking with that side-to-side gate, not really moving with much of a forward intent at all... sort of like Weebles wobbling). And then when they do come to a complete stop, right in the middle of the sidewalk, when it comes time to buy the requisite, NYC-trip, knock-off handbags and watches from the purse-ladies, with their lookouts stationed on every corner... It makes you crazy!
Easy fix: The cops need to crack down on all of that illegal sidewalk-selling traffic. And then the parking meter-maids need to crack down on the idling buses.
Not only do we have impassable sidewalks due to the idling tourists buying junk, we have the diesel fumes clogging the air from the idling buses. It's really the worst thing about living downtown now.
Well, come to think of it, it's almost as bad as the San Gennaro Festival. When that load of carney-types come to town every year, I'm actually sort of missing the tourists and the purse-ladies. But don't get me started on the two weeks of San Gennaro nastiness... that's another rant for another day.
Easy fix: The cops need to crack down on all of that illegal sidewalk-selling traffic. And then the parking meter-maids need to crack down on the idling buses.
Not only do we have impassable sidewalks due to the idling tourists buying junk, we have the diesel fumes clogging the air from the idling buses. It's really the worst thing about living downtown now.
Well, come to think of it, it's almost as bad as the San Gennaro Festival. When that load of carney-types come to town every year, I'm actually sort of missing the tourists and the purse-ladies. But don't get me started on the two weeks of San Gennaro nastiness... that's another rant for another day.
48
Buses are bad, but you're carping at tourists & restaurant crowding reminds me of a block association meeting here in Hell's KItchen, where one curmudgeon was complaining about crowds in front of two restaurants. When I said, "I thought this was what we wanted — locally owned restaurants doing well?," the group head gave me a silent, sad nod of agreement.
I'm a yearly tourist.
I despise the tourist shuffle and complete obliviousness. I taught my fam to be aware of others. When my daughter's school took 120 kids on a bus to NYC, I was floored by the itinerary, which included several occasions of letting the kids off to wander 5th ave and etc. The mass of teens!! 120! Let off on one block? Oh my god, I felt bad! I felt complicit! It's stupid planning and should NOT be done.
I despise the tourist shuffle and complete obliviousness. I taught my fam to be aware of others. When my daughter's school took 120 kids on a bus to NYC, I was floored by the itinerary, which included several occasions of letting the kids off to wander 5th ave and etc. The mass of teens!! 120! Let off on one block? Oh my god, I felt bad! I felt complicit! It's stupid planning and should NOT be done.
2
crack down on the tour buses and excessive auto traffic. Pedestrians were here first, the auot traffic can take a hike.
1
I get into the city for half a dozen long weekends per year from CLE to visit the grandkids in Bushwick. About half the time we stay at the Roosevelt. I feel completely at home in New York and would live here in a heartbeat if I could swing it on my social security. I avoid the belly of the beast unless I need princess stuff for the girls from the Disney store. Yes it's crowded there but I cover soho, Chelsea , the park and the village on a regular basis. We leave the hotel in the morning with a good pair of shoes and a credit card and take our chances, always come home happy, tired and well fed. New York is our playground.
98
Exactly. That's the problem. There are too many tourists, so the people who actually have lived here way before 9/11 when the city became the people's town and Bloomberg decided to make it a tourist park. He ruined as a place for people to live. If you did move here, you might feel right at home. However the people who lived here before Duane Reade, feel their city was stolen from them to benefit the tourists. I don't think you may have found it an American Disneyland prior to 9/11.
1
It's time to start designing two-tiered streetscapes in high density zones. Separate motor vehicles from pedestrians & cyclist. Think the Highline straight up 6th Ave. Storefronts in new buildings should be designed for the second floor. Think Le Corbusier. He had this planned already
64
Better idea. Ban private cars from midtown.
2
Robert Moses proposed this 50 years ago
@rk Great, but High Line? You mean yet another walkway designed for tourists. New York for New Yorkers would be nice every now and then. Unregulated tourism is the problem. No rules, too many tour busses, and busses doing private business on city sidewalks. Only New York allows this.
1
The problem in NYC and on Earth, generally, is overpopulation, but no one wants to talk about it.
198
All of humanity could fit in LA county with some space to spare (no, that's not an ad to move here!). It's not overpopulation, it is the clustering of wealth and opportunity into a few places.
1
Europe and Japan's birth rate is below replacement rate for their population; China's birthrate has decreased so much that they relaxed their one child rule; Mexico's birth rate went from 6 per family to 2 per family over the last 20 years; what overpopulation are you talking about?
Popular cities are not going to stop getting more crowded, even if world population stops growing. The world continues to urbanize, more people have money to travel, jobs continue to concentrate into industry and population hubs.
You'd need to have a massive and permanent global economic crash or a medieval-plague-type situation if you want to reserve centuries of human history of increasing urbanization. So we'd better figure out how to manage it better instead.
You'd need to have a massive and permanent global economic crash or a medieval-plague-type situation if you want to reserve centuries of human history of increasing urbanization. So we'd better figure out how to manage it better instead.
1
For 95% of its population NY provides little value added for the sacrifice in quality of life that it demands from its inhabitants (i.e. congestion, inadequate and obscenely expensive living quarters, long commutes).
While many New Yorkers, in a hilarious display of provincialism, hang on with their nails to a "give me NY or give me death" mindset, my advice to anybody that is not part of the top 1% and has options is to leave and find his/her present and future elsewhere.
Even in the 70s that everybody seems to hate, NY was realistically livable. Not anymore. For "regular" people, NY "was". It no longer "is".
While many New Yorkers, in a hilarious display of provincialism, hang on with their nails to a "give me NY or give me death" mindset, my advice to anybody that is not part of the top 1% and has options is to leave and find his/her present and future elsewhere.
Even in the 70s that everybody seems to hate, NY was realistically livable. Not anymore. For "regular" people, NY "was". It no longer "is".
115
Brooklyn is livable. It's beautiful. If you bought a building back when it was cheap then it's VERY livable.. There's still Jersey City and areas in the 4 boroughs for those young enough to have a sense of adventure, IMO
1
You can add San Francisco to that list. The only thing that makes it livable is the weather.
It's not the number of people it's idiots on cell phones or blowing smoke in everyone's face or both at the same time. People are more and more oblivious to anyone around them. I might try that walking in the street thing.
45
I don't smoke, but if you can't smoke a cigarette outside, just where CAN you smoke it?
1
Agreed! As a born and raised NYer, I remembered when most people moved through the streets of NY with purpose. Whether it's because they were afraid to tarry and fall victim to some criminal element in the 80s and 90s, or just because they had places to be....people moved quickly. Now that everything is the safest it's ever been, many have lost their sense of purpose and "street smarts".
I'm particularly infuriated by people who insist on READING while going up the subway stairs or walking on the sidewalk. I don't wish to revisit the scary days of old, but I do wish that people would walk with common sense and consideration for others.
I'm particularly infuriated by people who insist on READING while going up the subway stairs or walking on the sidewalk. I don't wish to revisit the scary days of old, but I do wish that people would walk with common sense and consideration for others.
1
not oblivious--but knowingly selfishly doing what they prefer, esp. if they bump you off the walkway,
We want NYC to be busy. Busy is good.
Inconsiderate is not good. If people could just get off their phones while on walking on sidewalks and stairs, and if tourists could just save the selfie-stick moments for when they're not in crowds, and if people wearing earbuds could just remember that there is a world beyond their own heads, the number of people trying to get places would, all of a sudden, seem like a lot less of a problem.
Inconsiderate is not good. If people could just get off their phones while on walking on sidewalks and stairs, and if tourists could just save the selfie-stick moments for when they're not in crowds, and if people wearing earbuds could just remember that there is a world beyond their own heads, the number of people trying to get places would, all of a sudden, seem like a lot less of a problem.
66
I walk from the uws to flatiron district and back every weekday. Of course it's annoying when groups of tourists or smokers interrupt your stride and make you miss a light, or when a fellow pedestrian cuts you off (especially if he's on the phone and recklessly swinging a closed umbrella). But the major issue here is that people need to calm down. I'm as guilty as anyone of getting irritated when someone gets in my way. But we're literally talking about losing seconds, maybe a minute or two, from foot traffic. It's really not a big deal. And the people who take it personally and act like everyone is purposely thwarting their busy schedule are worse than all the tourists, smokers and long-leashed dog walkers combined.
52
Bravo! I'm so sick of New Yorkers complaining because tourists dare to stop and gawk or take a photo or — gasp — don't walk quickly enough.
...except when you had to stay later than expected at work, and that minute or two of foot traffic causes you to miss your train from Penn Station and the next one isn't for 30 minutes...
The streets would be so much less crowded if more people were allowed to work from home. Maybe we'll join the 21st century someday.
The streets would be so much less crowded if more people were allowed to work from home. Maybe we'll join the 21st century someday.
People are getting wider. 30 years ago in 1975, there could be the same number of pedestrians, but they'd take up half the amount of space.
125
I am sometimes speechless when I look at old photos or films of New York == all I can think of saying is "look how thin people were in the olden days!"
Small cities in Japan are as crowded, and major ones more so. What is different from there to here is the perception of the people. There, being in a crowd is expected. Here, the perception is "You are in MY way." Our emphasis on individuality bites us again.
252
Tokyo has 6,000 people per km. NYC has 11,000.
1
The Japanese are incredibly civil in crowds, too. Nothing like the US.
1
Hah! Nothing beats pedestrian congestion like X-Mas at Rockefeller Center. Back in the go-go 1980's I worked at the International Building in Rockefeller Center and dreaded X-mas foot traffic mash. Back then, and now, there was the lower subterranean level, which the most of the tourists did not know about. Which brings up a good point. . . how much of subterranean Manhattan is accessible to pedestrians who have learned to use these bi-ped by-ways as opposed to the terrestrial sidewalks? and how much more can be freed up at this time?
22
Between Christmas and New Years is the worst
2
Once around Christmas I made the insane mistake of turning down Fifth Avenue near Rockefeller Center and became inextricably stuck in the tourist-lockstep-shuffle. I actually got leg cramps from walking so slowly. Nightmare.
1
I guess it's been a while since you've visited the Rock Center area if you think that most tourists don't know about the underground concourse. I guess they must point it out at Concierge Desks at the hotels and/or the tour bus guides must be telling them about it, the underground concourse it absolutely packed during the Holiday season with tourists, actually all year round.
Pedestrian plazas encourage lounging and create barriers for those trying to navigate sidewalks. Delivery men with carts crowd the sidewalks already flanked by piles of garbage and scaffolding. Businesses with sandwich boards and outside sidewalk dining. Bikers who constantly ride into pedeatrian traffic and ride against traffic. NYC has become a city of rude, self serving law breakers- kind of like our mayors. Bloomberg created this mess and deblasio making it worse. The atmosphere is darkening in NYC- people are not going to remain civil in these conditions.
25
"Pedestrian plazas encourage lounging." Well, yes, they were planned that way. Pity you can't appreciate lounging.
1
Take one lane away on the major avenues and divide that space in half to widen the sidewalks on each side of the street.
23
In the first picture in this article, I count at least 6 people looking down at their cell phones or talking on the phone while walking across the street. Perhaps even worse than crowded sidewalks is that many of those people on the sidewalk or in the crosswalk aren't paying attention to where they're walking. Distracted walking is Manhattan's equivalent of distracted driving.
41
Distracted driving kills people. A lot. It is not even comparable to distracted walking.
1
Any solution has to accommodate human behavior -- trying to change it is almost always futile.
1
Hmmm...maybe it's time to charge a congestion tax to all Manhattanites who wish to utilize the sidewalks during peak hours. Or perhaps, based upon birthdate, pedestrians can only walk on odd- or even-numbered days. Failing that, perhaps Broadway could become pedestrian only and everyone using cars will be forced to get out and walk, thus fulfilling Bloomberg's vision for a fitter citizenry.
24
If a congestion price were charged for motor vehicle users (i.e. if the cats in Albany would allow it) less space would be needed for motor vehicles. It's time to divide the street space in a better way and stop penalizing pedestrians while subsidizing motor vehicle use.
Maybe we should take MONEY out of the whole equation, it's Bloomberg who trashed NY with that ethos -why doesn't money find another place to call home and leave the city to the people who have lived and loved it there before ANYONE there though the answer could be found through MONEY.
1
Note to groups, families or multiple close friends. Do not walk down the street together side by side (or abreast). Do not do this in NYC or anywhere you may happen to be on vacation this summer. It's so annoying and rude.
Also, do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take a photo, stare at phone, look at a map/guidebook or other similar activities. Move aside first and let others continue and pass by.
Also, do not stop in the middle of the sidewalk to take a photo, stare at phone, look at a map/guidebook or other similar activities. Move aside first and let others continue and pass by.
63
So, basically what you're saying is to remember that you're not alone and there are other people around you? Huh.
Also:
1. Do not try to go through subway turnstiles abreast -- that is, each one of your group of 4 or 5 trying to use a different turnstile. None of you are going to be able to figure out how to get your Metrocard through, so all the turnstiles are going to be unusable to others, with backups forming on both sides of the turnstiles. Choose ONE turnstile and all of you go through the same one, one after the other, single file.
2. People with large groups of raucous teens: Split your group of 40 or 50 up before boarding or trying to board a subway or crossing the street. Also, if you all insist on getting on the same subway car, please try to get your teens to stop screaming at each other for a bit. New YOrk City subway snnouncements are very difficult to understand under normal conditions; in a car filled with yelling teens it becomes impossible. We know they are excited to be in NY, having an "awesome" time, and don't care whether they end up at the last stop in the Bronx, but some of us regulars do care where we end up.
1. Do not try to go through subway turnstiles abreast -- that is, each one of your group of 4 or 5 trying to use a different turnstile. None of you are going to be able to figure out how to get your Metrocard through, so all the turnstiles are going to be unusable to others, with backups forming on both sides of the turnstiles. Choose ONE turnstile and all of you go through the same one, one after the other, single file.
2. People with large groups of raucous teens: Split your group of 40 or 50 up before boarding or trying to board a subway or crossing the street. Also, if you all insist on getting on the same subway car, please try to get your teens to stop screaming at each other for a bit. New YOrk City subway snnouncements are very difficult to understand under normal conditions; in a car filled with yelling teens it becomes impossible. We know they are excited to be in NY, having an "awesome" time, and don't care whether they end up at the last stop in the Bronx, but some of us regulars do care where we end up.
I think the point is that people need to understand that NYC is not a theme park and they need to understand people who live here are not Disney employees just wanting them to have the trip of a lifetime. Strategies for getting around and spending one's day at a theme park do not work here, regardless of how empathetic the visitors might be. Furthermore, many of these people come from places where there are no crowds, so I think it may be difficult for them to understand some empathy is called for.
Good article and about time this was highlighted. In my neighborhood compounding the situation more it appears delivery services working for Amazon have decided they are taking to the sidewalks to beat the gridlock on the road. Daily I see large trucks parked on Second ave at about 38th street transferring large volumes of packages from the trucks and piling then into oversize plastic crates which are stacked up on carts and wheeled down the sidewalk like a wagon train taking what little space left on a busy sidewalk. One more moving obstacle to fight against.
16
The most challenging part of the crowded NYC sidewalks are all the people looking down into their smartphones, especially near the intersections, causing pileups at the curb. It's the pedestrian equivalent of texting while driving.
33
There are a lot of livable cities around the country. If people decide that NYC is the only place they can live, let them suffer the crowds and quit complaining.
135
What about anyone forced to live in New York by circumstance? (I'm sure you can imagine a few scenarios; I am aware of quite a few myself.) As New Yorkers, do we forfeit the responsibility to conduct ourselves with any degree of civility, and expect others to do the same? Regardless, much of this could be ameliorated if people simply behaved with common decency and consideration.
2
You forget that a lot of us are natives, and call this place "Home" ---
Besides, it's our birthright to complain...
Besides, it's our birthright to complain...
For the love of God- please don't ship New Yorkers to other cities. I, for one, would be willing to kick in a couple bucks to help NY deal with the crowds if it meant New York values would remain in New York.
4
As is obvious from the comments it's not the native NYers that make the streets so frustrating but the tourists. There's really nothing we can do about that though. Still I mutter under my breadth having to weave around them in rush hour as they meander along often 3 or 4 people wide (sometimes holding hands).
32
Growing up in NYC, I lived on East 63rd Street, which is both an exit off the FDR and off the Queen's Borough Bridge. We played stick ball in the street, exiting the street only when an automobile came by, say every 30-45 minutes. The problem is not the pedestrians. It's the automobiles.
22
It could be worse. For blocks around the where my old house used to be in Detroit there is nothing - no pedestrians, no houses, no businesses, no residents so you could move there and play stickball with yourself.
Susan: You might be interested to know that that area apparently now has the highest fatality rate on the east side for pedestrian/motor vehicle crashes.
Spent several weeks in London and was told to watch out for extremely crowded sidewalks. That advice was right on - have not been to NYC recently but hopefully it is not that crowded yet.
In my travels, Hong Kong is so densely populated that if everyone came out of their apartments, there is not enough room for all even on the city streets.
In my travels, Hong Kong is so densely populated that if everyone came out of their apartments, there is not enough room for all even on the city streets.
4
too many cars with single occupants taking too much space. First we should limit cars in critical areas only for certain vehicles and then give more space to pedestrians. I have not step foot on a sidewalk in years as I make my way to Port Authority.
12
Try walking on the the upper west side, where cafes occupy half of the walk's width, parked delivery bicycles protrude from the curb and perpendicular to it further narrowing it, and cobblestone-covered tree beds made for stumbling limiting the sidewalk further. Add to this people on the phone oblivious to those behind or in front, neighbors with dogs at the barriers chatting with cafe patrons, and parents with strollers and children with scooters make the "sidewalks of New York" obstacle courses rather than walking paths.
12
With the exception of the phone zombies, what you have just described is...a neighborhood. The Upper West Side without its shamble of trees and cafes, families and dogs would be--the horror!--the Upper East Side.
1
The Upper West Side, how I loved it. I dream I'm there, still.
1
No aspersion cast upon the Upper West Side, trees or families. What I was citing was an example of diminished walking space. As an octogenarian, I enjoy walking.
I lived in the city for three decades and always walked many for blocks at a fast clip. Not lately - it's more like one big game of human bumper cars.
Just yesterday I was well into an intersection, crossing in the crosswalk with the "walk" sign, when I was almost hit by an idiot on a Citibike running the red light who had looked only to see if a car was coming in the opposite direction. I cursed him a blue streak; he sped off; and all I could think of was that --- even in the scary '70s, even during the crack epidemic, even in the sad days after September 11 -- the quality of life on the street in the city was so much better. This isn't nostalgia (how can you be nostalgic for life during the crack epidemic?); in a sad way I am gratified to see this article document it.
Just yesterday I was well into an intersection, crossing in the crosswalk with the "walk" sign, when I was almost hit by an idiot on a Citibike running the red light who had looked only to see if a car was coming in the opposite direction. I cursed him a blue streak; he sped off; and all I could think of was that --- even in the scary '70s, even during the crack epidemic, even in the sad days after September 11 -- the quality of life on the street in the city was so much better. This isn't nostalgia (how can you be nostalgic for life during the crack epidemic?); in a sad way I am gratified to see this article document it.
45
As a person who resides in midtown west and walks to and from work in said Penn Station - W. 54th Street area, one of the greatest problems clogging foot traffic is the ridiculous amount of automobile traffic. Passenger -less cars, trucks delivering at prime commute hours, and, of course, taxis & car services. I don't know how many Uber drivers add. Net, there is no rational system in place to manage vehicle traffic. Perhaps we could re-examine Bloomberg's plan, that mirrored the City of London's to limit passenger vehicles in congested areas. I'm not saying that the foot traffic doesn't irritate me. However, the auto clogs make the drivers more aggressive and last week, for example, twice, when I had the light walking south, cars going east (their light had turned red) just shot in front of me and fellow walkers. They could have killed us. They also clogged the traffic moving down 9th which has a major domino effect.
22
New York City, as does the rest of our country needs to focus on means of "Active Transportation." A combination of walking, biking and public transportation would be, oh so beneficial! For one, we would all be healthier! Pollution levels would decrease! And our cities would have an undisturbed charm without cars! When traveling through Central America, many cities restricted vehicle traffic in popular areas- they had several parking garages and shuttle services to and from the areas and garages. Cities who did this were charming and pleasant to be in due to increased safety, increased personal space and more vegetation!
6
And was your delightful experience in a "banana republic"? I used to believe as you do until I married into an immigrant family. Now I know that people come here for opportunities, and one of those is to own a car. I don't have the impression that they left a restricted society only to come here for the pleasure of more restrictions. In all probability we will have to reckon with the car for as long as humanity survives. The issue is to make them cleaner and sustainable no less than to reconstruct our cities accordingly.
1
In Lower Manhattan, particularly in the very narrow streets surrounding City Hall Park and the former WTC, this pedestrian situation is especially exacerbated by double-decker tourist buses, whose drivers appear not to know where they're going or how to get there. These buses are huge and frequently block full intersections thru multiple traffic light changes just to negotiate a turn. Possibly it allows the tourist passengers to have additional time pointing and sight-seeing from the comfort of their upper level, so no great loss to those drivers.
As far as the bikes, Mayor Bloomberg had a well-intentioned idea to introduce more biking to NYC, he envisioned it as very European. The one thing he failed to factor in is the common courtesy that European city bikers extend to others. Unfortunately, that is missing in NYC, thus the multiple accidents.
As far as the bikes, Mayor Bloomberg had a well-intentioned idea to introduce more biking to NYC, he envisioned it as very European. The one thing he failed to factor in is the common courtesy that European city bikers extend to others. Unfortunately, that is missing in NYC, thus the multiple accidents.
20
Not to mention the limitations on vehicular traffic that many European cities have adopted for their city centers.
1
It appears to me half the sidewalks are closed due to long-running construction projects - not to mention the blocked-off street lanes. NY already had a congestion problem before all this. This problem requires a lot more than a band-aid.
12
Four major causes of increased midtown pedestrian congestion are:
1. The large number of young people and tourists blocking sidewalks while taking endless selfies or other pictures.
2. People walking slowly and without looking because they are texting or on the phone.
3. Sidewalk vendors with tables, blankets or who stop pedestrians to sell cds. bus tours or "comedy show" tickets.
4. I am glad NYC attracts so many tourists--great for the economy and I like the sound of different languages--but many are stopping to check maps or phone direction apps or are families walking several abreast and blocking 2 way traffic.
Nonetheless, the worst pedestrian jams are often not in midtown but the High Line and Canal Street.
1. The large number of young people and tourists blocking sidewalks while taking endless selfies or other pictures.
2. People walking slowly and without looking because they are texting or on the phone.
3. Sidewalk vendors with tables, blankets or who stop pedestrians to sell cds. bus tours or "comedy show" tickets.
4. I am glad NYC attracts so many tourists--great for the economy and I like the sound of different languages--but many are stopping to check maps or phone direction apps or are families walking several abreast and blocking 2 way traffic.
Nonetheless, the worst pedestrian jams are often not in midtown but the High Line and Canal Street.
12
The obvious solution is to follow what San Francisco no doubt would do in similar circumstance. Require pedestrian permits priced under a system that would encourage pedestrians to time their travels to avoid rush hour.
1
One of the simplest ways to save pedestrian lives would be to put large signs at all New York City entrances that remind drivers that right turn on red is prohibited. I have been almost hit by out-of-town cars breaking the law. They wonder why I am pounding on their hood.
13
This is a serious problem and Robin Mead has an answer. DOT bureaucrats, is anyone home?
I did the pounding on the hood thing just once. The guy got out of his car and chased me with a baseball bat.
Once upon a time, Midtown had a large network of underground walkways, in addition to the Grand Central and Rockefeller Center passageways, all of which was mapped by John Tauranac in 1970. Many of those tunnels have been closed, even thought they still remain, but they should be reopened and more built, as in Montreal.
29
This will work for sure--only allow fully paid for vehicles. No leased German cars permitted. Get the Benzes, Audis and Beemers, all leased, off the street. As a born in NYC native of midtown (43rd street), I am astonished by the growth os NYC, now expected to hit 10,000,000 by the end of the decade. If the state won't let NYC restrict cars south of 96th street, start doing an inspection program. That insurance card up to date? No? Park that baby right over there. The $400 tow awaits. More than one way to skin a cat.
8
Unfortunately, we have both a mayor and a governor who are car guys and are reluctant to upset other car guys.
My dad woke me up at 7:00am in the 1970's to drive from River Vale, NJ to NYC four Sundays in a row when I turned 17. He felt if I could navigate the 2 tunnels, the GWB, Chinatown, the Lower East Side, the WSH and the ESD with little pedestrian foot traffic, I would be capable to drive anywhere in the country.
He was right, as I've driven all over the U.S. sometimes alone, with no fear, but the pedestrian traffic is so crazy now, I rarely drive in anymore.
He was right, as I've driven all over the U.S. sometimes alone, with no fear, but the pedestrian traffic is so crazy now, I rarely drive in anymore.
14
The increase in the city population is eye-opening. It's a good phenomenon, of course. No one wants to live in a city that's in decline. But the sidewalk traffic makes it less enjoyable to be in some parts of the city. I always avoid Times Square. In fact, it doesn't even seem like New Yorkers are there, just tourists. it could be Hong Kong.
If you have to get to the theater from the Port Authority, it can be an obstacle course going up 7th Ave. We all have our alternatives. 8th is a better bet. But there is little choice in rush hour.
Well, I suppose you could move to Grover's Corners, but you can't get an egg cream there.
If you have to get to the theater from the Port Authority, it can be an obstacle course going up 7th Ave. We all have our alternatives. 8th is a better bet. But there is little choice in rush hour.
Well, I suppose you could move to Grover's Corners, but you can't get an egg cream there.
7
You can't get an egg cream anywhere but New York.
I am a pregnant resident pedestrian in Manhattan, and I literally walk up and down the streets of midtown with my arms shielding my belly, as if I were running offense for the NFL. It can be dangerous out there. And the pedestrian road rage can be so insulting, understandable as it may be. I've wondered about the possibility of making pace-based walking lanes (like the lap pools): slow on the inside, closest to the buildings, for those doing window shopping or meandering in and out of stores and eateries; fast on the outside, to allow people who are in a rush to dart across streets in the middle, as needed; and medium in the middle. It seems like a good idea to me, but would probably be impossible to orchestrate and just add to the rage when people of the wrong pace are not in the right lane. I guess the only solution is for us to sprout wings and join the pigeons aloft- much more spacious up there...
92
Wow, being pregnant & trying to navigate... never considered it. Great point. Design a lightweight 'wire cage' or something for pregnancy protection & it you could make some big money.
Maybe reduce the cars?
1
How about fewer traffic lanes and more people lanes, i.e. wider sidewalk space?
1) Bring on "the war on cars". Tax car parking in the city to stratospheric levels during peak hours (including weekends), impose peak-pricing on parking meters, impose congestion pricing, and use ALL the extra money to improve transit and widen sidewalks.
2) Ban texting while walking, and make traffic cops _enforce_ that ban with tickets.
3) Confiscate bicycles being ridden on sidewalks - no exceptions for food deliverers.
4) Give a "Pedestrian Tip Sheet" to every hotel guest, just to let our beloved tourists know that, unlike everywhere else in the U.S., people here actually use sidewalks to get from place to place, but to encourage them to ask the natives for directions.
2) Ban texting while walking, and make traffic cops _enforce_ that ban with tickets.
3) Confiscate bicycles being ridden on sidewalks - no exceptions for food deliverers.
4) Give a "Pedestrian Tip Sheet" to every hotel guest, just to let our beloved tourists know that, unlike everywhere else in the U.S., people here actually use sidewalks to get from place to place, but to encourage them to ask the natives for directions.
19
maybe, but then the 1% will flee to Connecticut. I have a high income and I LOVE my car. If felt punished by teh city for owning it, I would take myself, my tax dollars, and my rent/but real estate money to Darien.
5
K, bye! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out.
There are too many people in my city, probably in your city and certainly in our world. We are crowing out and trampling and eating entire ecosystems. Multiplying like a virus, we are soiling our earth, air and water. While there are many aware, responsable and wise individuals amongst us, as a collective we are a short sighted idiot in denial and in really big trouble.
22
I work in Midtown Manhattan. Near my office the sidewalks are crowded, bike lanes are useless painted lines routinely parked and driven in, and vehicular traffic barely moves blocking crosswalks and hindering pedestrians pretty much at every intersection.
Yet, despite the chaos, there is block upon block of reserved free parking for the personal cars of FDNY, NYPD, State Police, postal workers, employees of media companies, employees of various city and state offices, and every embassy and consulate. The commercial parking and no standing zones are usually half-filled with the "spillover" from these groups; the personal cars of everyone with a union card, brightly-covered safety vest, card or patch or badge from some "friends of" law enforcement group to stick on the dashboard; "doctors on call"; and the "handicapped" who often don't seemed handicapped at all.
Contractors, delivery people, and tradespeople, who need to drive and are willing to pay for on-street parking, either fight for the available spaces left or double park, blocking traffic and/or getting ticketed.
NYC officials need to look at space logically; stop giving away free parking to special interest groups in business districts; and re-allocate it for more productive use.
In residential neighborhoods, put a price on on-street parking, which is now free, unregulated, and messy.
Yet, despite the chaos, there is block upon block of reserved free parking for the personal cars of FDNY, NYPD, State Police, postal workers, employees of media companies, employees of various city and state offices, and every embassy and consulate. The commercial parking and no standing zones are usually half-filled with the "spillover" from these groups; the personal cars of everyone with a union card, brightly-covered safety vest, card or patch or badge from some "friends of" law enforcement group to stick on the dashboard; "doctors on call"; and the "handicapped" who often don't seemed handicapped at all.
Contractors, delivery people, and tradespeople, who need to drive and are willing to pay for on-street parking, either fight for the available spaces left or double park, blocking traffic and/or getting ticketed.
NYC officials need to look at space logically; stop giving away free parking to special interest groups in business districts; and re-allocate it for more productive use.
In residential neighborhoods, put a price on on-street parking, which is now free, unregulated, and messy.
21
The problem is definitely not that we have too many people in too small of the space. The problem which needs to be addressed is that the sidewalks are not designed to handle the volume of people. First of all, it's ridiculous that we give ~80% of an avenue's width to motor vehicles -- sure, some of them are making necessary deliveries, but most are just taking up an unfair amount of space per occupant. Secondly, the thin sidewalk strips we do have are often crumbling apart, and are obstructed by food carts (and lines for food cars), all sorts of random things popping out of businesses. Not to mention people who often fail to have any spatial awareness or empathy that people around them might be trying to move faster than they are. The solution here is to get rid of 1 or more motor vehicle lane on every avenue, make the sidewalks wider -- and well designed!-- and have some enforceable rules about obstructions.
55
1. Ban cars.
2. Ban multitasking on phones if the multitasker is walking too slow (sort of like fines for driving too slow).
3. Force those giant groups of out of town teen tourists to break up into smaller groups. Not only are they a problem on the streets, they are an even worse problem on the subways.
2. Ban multitasking on phones if the multitasker is walking too slow (sort of like fines for driving too slow).
3. Force those giant groups of out of town teen tourists to break up into smaller groups. Not only are they a problem on the streets, they are an even worse problem on the subways.
6
Would you ban the elderly and handicapped from walking?
and ban bicycling in the wrong direction and on sidewalks.
The streets belong to the people. We were here long before the cars and we will be here long after they are gone.
Private cars can have little or no place in modern cities. On street parking is the height of absurdity. Wouldn’t 90 per cent of the population vote to end it without delay?
And shouldn’t our midtown sidewalks be restored without delay to the larger widths they had before Moses and his ilk decided to subordinate pedestrians and the people who live here to cars and commuters.
Private cars can have little or no place in modern cities. On street parking is the height of absurdity. Wouldn’t 90 per cent of the population vote to end it without delay?
And shouldn’t our midtown sidewalks be restored without delay to the larger widths they had before Moses and his ilk decided to subordinate pedestrians and the people who live here to cars and commuters.
107
Streets belong to people? Please name a major city that has built streets for the sole use of pedestrians? I guess the traffic light were installed to ensure we don't walk into each other.
5
Actually, I think all this ameliorative effort is counter-intuitive. As David Margulies (the actor who played the Mayor) said in Ghostbusters II, "Being miserable and treating other people like dirt is every New Yorker's God-given right."
15
Years ago it was conventional for people to walk along the right side of the sidewalk, just as cars are required to drive. There should be signs urging pedestrians to do this. Pedestrian flow can be speeded up if walkers form 2 opposing lanes of moving people. Most people now seem to be unaware of this convention. Can you imagine what would happen on a 2-way Avenue if automobiles were not required to keep to the right?
101
I see this all the time. what happened?
I agree wholeheartedly. The rules of the road should apply to the sidewalk. I would add that pedestrians at intersections should not "block the box" to accommodate pedestrians crossing with the light at a right angle so they can get out of the street before the light turns red.
Tourists, while great for business, are an anathema to trying to transit the city on foot. My office is right next to Radio City and the sidewalks are constantly clogged with gawking tourists and the vendors that prey on them, whether they are hawking hats or bus rides or sunglasses, they only add to the problem. As someone else said removing those carts and tables will dramatically help the situation.
17
There are hundreds of people using the sidewalks on each block of busy streets like Seventh Avenue in Manhattan as opposed to a few dozen occupants of cars. It doesn't make any sense! The sidewalks must be widened, with marked and enforced fast pedestrian lanes added, separated bicycle lanes added on every busy street, and dedicated, enforced bus lanes as well. And to make that all feasible, we need more subway lines, and better-functioning subways, and underground freight delivery. That would help make sure that the economic engine that is New York City doesn't choke to death on traffic.
26
Years ago, Chicago had an underground freight delivery subway but it was abandoned and forgotten until bridge construction punctured a tunnel under a river and flooded the basements of many of the department stores that used to use the freight subway.
Where do you suppose cars would drive on this proposed street?
Crowding in New York City has never been a new issue. There are tourists, visitors, residents, people from all over the world come to visit New York City and those numbers add up to undesirable discomfort of crowding. The expanding of sidewalks was an insightful solution to the problem however, that will not stop the flowing coming from every direction, that would be a sign of encouragement to bring more people in, rather than an action of the relief of millions. There are alternates other than expanding sidewalks, many buildings could be removed, instead of storing cars as stated in the article, would it be possible to make that into more foot space and other street and cars would park as they normally do on the side of streets? Monuments and commercial areas are a given, it would be almost impossible to put a stop to crowding there, however, that does not go along for the rest of the city and its surrounding areas.
2
Increase building thruways. No need for everyone to walk Avenue after Avenue, when you can cut through existing structures to lessen the flow of foot traffic at the intersections of streets and avenues.
3
Walking in NYC is death by a thousand cuts. My heart breaks every time I come up from the Columbus Circle station and think of the money and effort it took to transform that area from the gloom of the Colosseum days only to be assaulted by a phalanx of garish vendor carts, advertising tents, fundraising canvassers, and bicycle ride hawkers. I am ashamed of my city when I see how poorly we treat ourselves. Pedestrian plazas for tourists are not the answer. Common sense regulation of the common space for the greater good is and clearly that's not what the city planners have in mind.
228
I have pictures in my memory from when I arrived in the city in 1982 - Soho was the place you went for health food - the East Village felt like a small European town and I never had anyone push me walking behind me on lower Broadway. There was tons of room to roam and millions of nooks and crannies and yes, dangerous alleyways, but you live downtown like a person for 400 a month and views of all the bridges from casement windows. When the Gap came to the corner of 9th and 2nd - everyone was aghast. Now downtown is like a big suburban shopping mall, and despite what tourists may think, that's not a good thing.
2
Actually, Jeffrey, what we're seeing at Columbus Circle is what happens when public space is handed over to the private sector. Check out the incentives and waivers given to the developers of the Time Warner Center (already an anachronism!)
2
Yet NYC continues to green light new real estate developments, high-rise residential buildings and new neighborhoods (Hudson Yards, etc.). Subways, schools and sidewalks are uber-packed. And traffic is at a standstill on many streets, some of due to construction equipment taking up a full lane of traffic.
Is anyone in City Hall or the City Council paying attention to our infrastructure? Can our police force, schools and fire departments handle this overload?
Is anyone in City Hall or the City Council paying attention to our infrastructure? Can our police force, schools and fire departments handle this overload?
180
While the population of the city is the highest it has ever been, the residential population of Manhattan (as opposed to the workday/tourist population) is far smaller than its peak.
There were about 1.64 million people living in Manhattan in 2015 out of a total city population of 8.55 million. In 1910, there were 2.33 million people living in Manhattan out of a total city population of 4.77 million. Hard to believe considering all the high-rise apt. buildings today, but true.
Widen the sidewalks and limit where cars can go. Problem solved. In reality, there's only a few areas of the city where pedestrian crowding is really a problem. And maybe we should start encouraging people to walk to the right. In the most crowded areas, maybe each side of the street should be one-way for pedestrians.
But stay out of the bike lanes! You're going to get hit.
Between 1950 and 1960, the city lost 1% of its population. It made it up by 1970, but the City lost 10% of its population between 1970 and 1980, due to crime, filth, a poor school system and people being priced out of the city. While the city is cleaner and safer, all but the rich are being priced out. I predict a tipping point where NYC starts losing population again, so the problem might take care of itself.
But if I'm wrong and the city continues to gain population at the current rate, we'll be at 8.9 million by 2020 and 9.4 million by 2025. That's a LOT of housing units that will have to be built.
There were about 1.64 million people living in Manhattan in 2015 out of a total city population of 8.55 million. In 1910, there were 2.33 million people living in Manhattan out of a total city population of 4.77 million. Hard to believe considering all the high-rise apt. buildings today, but true.
Widen the sidewalks and limit where cars can go. Problem solved. In reality, there's only a few areas of the city where pedestrian crowding is really a problem. And maybe we should start encouraging people to walk to the right. In the most crowded areas, maybe each side of the street should be one-way for pedestrians.
But stay out of the bike lanes! You're going to get hit.
Between 1950 and 1960, the city lost 1% of its population. It made it up by 1970, but the City lost 10% of its population between 1970 and 1980, due to crime, filth, a poor school system and people being priced out of the city. While the city is cleaner and safer, all but the rich are being priced out. I predict a tipping point where NYC starts losing population again, so the problem might take care of itself.
But if I'm wrong and the city continues to gain population at the current rate, we'll be at 8.9 million by 2020 and 9.4 million by 2025. That's a LOT of housing units that will have to be built.
6
Zoet - your stats are indeed correct. Further, in 2010 the population of Manhattan was 1,588,000 so it has grown since then as have tourists (and maybe commuters?). So what gives? There's been a plethora of new residential high-rises built, adding new space, so it stands to reason that people inhabit them. I know that some (many?) are purchased by private LLP corporations (soon to be illegal) and not inhabited by the purchaser but I find it hard to believe that there are THAT many apartments being purchased that aren't being occupied.
My concern about firefighters, emergency services and police officers still stands as they serve residents, visitors and commuters alike. Then there's the water and sewer systems...
My concern about firefighters, emergency services and police officers still stands as they serve residents, visitors and commuters alike. Then there's the water and sewer systems...
1
No, they've just paid attention to their off-shore secret bank accounts and their fat wallets. Show them the money and they're like puddy in your hands.
Deport the hipsters, that should straighten everything out.
45
As one has mentioned outdoor seating at restaurants takes up a lot of sidewalk space. Do they pay for it? Who profits from it?
I am deeply concerned about elderly people who live in NYC. They have a right to walk at their slow pace sometimes using walkers or canes and they deserve respect and attention. I am quite fit and strong but find it a battle to keep from being assaulted like it is a football tackle. I defensively watch out, call out, jump aside but still find I am regularly badly knocked by someone passing in the other direction. I suspect it is often deliberate. How can the elderly be protected? They don't just have the option to go out on the streets when there is no one else out. There are no such times. I am talking about the upper east side, and not even the Penn Station area.
I am deeply concerned about elderly people who live in NYC. They have a right to walk at their slow pace sometimes using walkers or canes and they deserve respect and attention. I am quite fit and strong but find it a battle to keep from being assaulted like it is a football tackle. I defensively watch out, call out, jump aside but still find I am regularly badly knocked by someone passing in the other direction. I suspect it is often deliberate. How can the elderly be protected? They don't just have the option to go out on the streets when there is no one else out. There are no such times. I am talking about the upper east side, and not even the Penn Station area.
202
As an average size woman I have found that if you assume a certain attitude in your carriage and an expression of intent on your face people will not crash into you. The "New York" look if you will.
We need lanes, slower traffic keep right.
Since the MTA applied arrows to stairs it's helped immensely. Still, there's no cure for entitlement.
Since the MTA applied arrows to stairs it's helped immensely. Still, there's no cure for entitlement.
29
What about making some of the worst areas pedestrian only? Or pedestrian and buses? This is increasingly popular in Europe. I couldn't believe how much nicer Oxford was to walk around the last time I visited; cars had to park in a car park outside the city and then you were bussed in to walk and/or take local transportation around town. I'm sure there were accommodations for the physically disabled but I don't know what they were -- the UK is not the greatest in that regard anyway.
Also, if there is so much mixed foot traffic, what about "lanes" or specified places for those who want to dawdle and sightsee, those with children, the elderly, etc. and places for those who want to "express" walk? Just like for cars: a slow lane and a fast lane.
Also, if there is so much mixed foot traffic, what about "lanes" or specified places for those who want to dawdle and sightsee, those with children, the elderly, etc. and places for those who want to "express" walk? Just like for cars: a slow lane and a fast lane.
94
There is, just like when you drive - fast walkers on the left, slow walkers on the right, move to the side when stopping, do not block intersections, do not walk four abreast, etc.
It is just that most tourists are oblivious to this and think NYers are rude when they get (rightly) jostled.
It is just that most tourists are oblivious to this and think NYers are rude when they get (rightly) jostled.
And there it is captured on camera:The human rat-race in full-flow.
16
I saw a short film at The New-York Historical Society of pedestrians and traffic in mid-town in the late 1940s I think it was. It looked way more crowded and chaotic than it does now. Hard as that is to believe.
2
Part of the reason that I moved. Nothing more fun than a humid summer day with the great unwashed.
41
There really needs to be some serious thought as to how all these towers being erected will compound the problem. When new construction is being planned some serious rethinking is in order.
The Rockefeller Center area along 6th Avenue is buffered by first the massive underground network of walkways connecting the many building in the area. Working in that neighborhood it's possible to travel from 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue to 49th Street and Fifth Avenue completely underground. This also parallels 6th Avenue providing underground access from the building along 6th Ave to the subway. Additionally, there is 6th.5 Avenue which provides a mid block pedestrian path between 6th and 7th Avenues running from 51st St to 57th.
This didn't happen by accident, the underground passages were planned to accommodate the height of the buildings. The mid-block Avenue I believe resulted in the buildings being required to provide Public Space in order to build so tall.
The other options are staggering work hours. When I worked at Grey Advertising the workday started at 9:15, it made a difference.
The Rockefeller Center area along 6th Avenue is buffered by first the massive underground network of walkways connecting the many building in the area. Working in that neighborhood it's possible to travel from 52nd Street and Seventh Avenue to 49th Street and Fifth Avenue completely underground. This also parallels 6th Avenue providing underground access from the building along 6th Ave to the subway. Additionally, there is 6th.5 Avenue which provides a mid block pedestrian path between 6th and 7th Avenues running from 51st St to 57th.
This didn't happen by accident, the underground passages were planned to accommodate the height of the buildings. The mid-block Avenue I believe resulted in the buildings being required to provide Public Space in order to build so tall.
The other options are staggering work hours. When I worked at Grey Advertising the workday started at 9:15, it made a difference.
38
Dave, I've heard the reason for the underground concourse was because when they first starting construction on the Rockefeller buildings the trucks needed a way to go from site to site without clogging up the streets.
What percentage of the entire streetscape is devoted to private automobiles? I suggest that it's time to take some of that space and give it back to pedestrians.
179
Pedestrians take a lot of chances......and then complain about traffic!
Yikes, it's New York! Go with the pedestrian crossing streetlights!
Yikes, it's New York! Go with the pedestrian crossing streetlights!
4
With so many people, no wonder NYC has a housing crisis.
3
Smartphone jammers at all transportation hubs, or open manholes to swallow anyone preoccupied on one. Escalating fines for 3 across, 4 across, and 5 across the sidewalk, which become felonies during the Xmas holidays. Sidewalk etiquette orientation films while tourists are in line at customs. Right of way for anyone carrying a briefcase or shopping bag over 12 lbs. Ban the sale of dog leashes over 4 ft long. Ban baby carriages during rush hour. Public flogging of wrong-way cyclists. What did I miss?
579
sidewalk orientation films would be a first: how to walk, don't go out if you're fat, if it's not thanksgiving bring your own balloon, etc. Or--you should have just stayed home.
2
I hope you plan on running for mayor!
5
I think you should run for Mayor - Seriously - you list has nailed all my Pet Peeves - and going my the recommended likes - many seem to second your rules as well .
1
Why not raise sidewalks to the second story level. This would give more room for cars and parking and more room for pedestrians. Would also prevent pedestrians from crossing the street in the middle of the block.
6
For decades we did everything possible to accommodate motor vehicles, often at the expense of pedestrians. One example is our failure to widen sidewalks (or in many important cases, restore sidewalks to their original greater width) to accommodate need. Funnily, for almost as long as we've been bending over backwards to accommodate car traffic, we've known better, yet in terms of rules and governance of our public space, the car remains king. Even the boldest moves by the Department of Transportation under its former chief Janette Sadik-Khan were incremental and relatively tiny. Some defenders of the status quo complain about a "war on cars." If only. There hasn't even been anything close to a market-like, fair reallocation of space according to numbers of individuals in different transport modes using the space, yet they cry "war."
New York City became a great city--a world-leading city, no less--long before the motor vehicle arrived. It has managed to remain so no thanks to, but rather in spite of, that space-hogging, commerce-strangling pestilence. We should do more to improve life for our pedestrians (and ultimately, that's everyone who does anything here) everywhere. We'll end up a stronger city for it.
New York City became a great city--a world-leading city, no less--long before the motor vehicle arrived. It has managed to remain so no thanks to, but rather in spite of, that space-hogging, commerce-strangling pestilence. We should do more to improve life for our pedestrians (and ultimately, that's everyone who does anything here) everywhere. We'll end up a stronger city for it.
388
Agree, I am a suburbanite and I think we need much more commuter parking adjacent to subway/pasth lines plus some fair way to reduce the desire to drive the most congested parts of the city. Today people do it because the options like the LIRR and NJ Transit are very expensive and not reliable.
1
The trouble with narrowing the sidewalks and creating one-way routes is that certain side-streets have become clogged with taxis and delivery trucks seeking shortcuts. I live near W 56th at Sixth Ave, and this street is regularly gridlocked through the day and evening. The tiny, inadequate sidewalks are massed with tourists wheeling bicycles and office workers looking for lunch. If ever there were a block that should be malled-over, this is it; but malling just transfers the problem elsewhere.
David: Indeed...and if proponents of cars want a real war I say let's ban 'em from the entire island of Manhattan...excepting emergency, business package transport, access points. Let's return the streets to the pedestrian and bicycle traffic. With the subway system we have (and that's a topic for a different conversation) there's little need for cars to be on the island. Period. Okay..let the war begin! Heh!
Banning automobiles entirely seems a solution. Really, aside from public transport including taxis, school buses and vehicles for person with disabilities, do we need passenger vehicles in crowded areas? Make the sidewalks wider by removing traffic lanes.
140
We need taxis and buses and delivery trucks. All other vehicles should pay congestion pricing and much higher bridge and tunnel tolls.
8
I would argue that taxis and livery cars should be banned as opposed to other vehicles. Manhattan has the best subway access of any of the boroughs. Without all the wayward taxis and ubers, buses could finally drive at a reasonable pace. The only other folks who drive into/through Manhattan are the ones that really need to. All those cabs can move to the outer boroughs where they are currently few and far between and subway/bus access is limited (I say this as a Manhattan worker and outer borough resident).
Most famous New York walk? Robert DeNiro in Taxi Driver, his iconic walk down 8th Ave south of 47th Street to go to a porno movie. That theater is a Duane Reade now.
8
Your comment reminded me of a scene from the early 70s PBS documentary called, I think, "An American Family," about the Loud family of Santa Barbara,CA. On a holiday weekend, must have been Memorial Day or 4th of July because it was hot, Mrs. Loud was visiting NYC to visit son Lance, who had moved to NY and was living in the CHelsea HOtel with a friend. She took them to a Broadway play one of those nights, and when they came out they walked over to what I believe was the northern end of Times Square, like somewhere around 47th-49th streets. They stood on the corner to hail a cab downtown and I recall, as I rewatched the series a couple of years ago, being shocked by how empty Times Square was! Imagine Taxi Driver would be similarly shocked to take a walk down the same stretch of 8th Av. today.
1
Greatly reduce the cars in most parts of Manhattan and critical parts of the rest of NYC. They take up too much room, too often carry just one person, pollute and kill. Impose congestion pricing. Ticket double parkers about $400 per event and use cameras all over the city to get them. Violators get points.
Force delivery hours for the biggest trucks to the biggest stores between 7pm and 6am. Otherwise by a big fat pass.
Manhattan is pretty much wall to wall millionaires let them absorb the higher prices.
Force delivery hours for the biggest trucks to the biggest stores between 7pm and 6am. Otherwise by a big fat pass.
Manhattan is pretty much wall to wall millionaires let them absorb the higher prices.
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Generally agree with you, Nancy, but would a millionaire care about a $400 fine? The pinch has to be proportional.
1
Delivery trucks are the biggest obstacle and obstruction. They kill pedestrians and bikers far too regularly as well. They need limited daily hours, or night shifts. Also, truck size limitations for narrower streets.
Great article. We stay in Manhattan 3-4 days each month and I can confirm the points made. My greatest concern, though, is the out-of-control bicyclists who ignore stop signs and traffic lights. I guess the police have more pressing business because there scofflaws operate with impunity. I cycle 10,000 miles a year (in a rural part of CT) and won't dare bring my bike(s) to Manhattan...for fear of other cyclists who don't know how to ride a bike and don't seem to think there are safety laws they must obey.
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Cyclists will behave when there's an infrastructure for two-wheelers with its own traffic signals. Bordeaux has rid its center of cars and offers trams, bike paths and sidewalks, the promenade along the river with its benches, stores and restaurants was a strip of parking before 2000. Travelers leave the car outside the city and tram in. It's remarkable to be in a big city that is so quiet! Cars simply are obnoxious in town. It needs to be too expensive to get onto Manhattan. Use the money to squeeze the motor lanes and expand the rest, then habits will change.
8
I also travel to NYC for work about 2x per month x 5 days and the worst part of driving are the out of control cyclist. They surpassed taxi drivers as the biggest danger on the road. They don't obey the rules of the road, they fail to stop for red lights or yield to pedestrians.
Drivers take tests and get licensed in order to be able to drive. Drivers also lose their right to drive after too many violations. Maybe it's time to do that to cyclists. They lose their right to bike on public streets after a certain amount of biking violations.
Drivers take tests and get licensed in order to be able to drive. Drivers also lose their right to drive after too many violations. Maybe it's time to do that to cyclists. They lose their right to bike on public streets after a certain amount of biking violations.
16
The bicyclist scofflaws are a scandal and the bike lanes are a giant waste of space, also. You can say that bicycle ridership is up, but a glance at any block with a bicycle lane shows those lanes are totally underutilized compared with automobile traffic, trucks making necessary deliveries (how else are we going to eat?) and pedestrians. The bike lanes are in vogue and bicycles are environmentally sound. But most people do not ride them and they're never going to ride them. Too scary and dangerous.
14
Removing 50% of the vendor carts will solve 90% of the problem.
116
Also will remove 50% of essential New York.
Bicyclists, for all their love of the green life, etc., seem particularly careless when it comes to pedestrians. Here they persist in using sidewalks notwithstanding creation of special lanes just for cycling.
Given the hazards of crowded cycling, and given the many risks cyclists take for no good reason, I think cyclists ought to be licensed in the same manner as cars and motorcyclists. And insured.
Bicyclists, for all their love of the green life, etc., seem particularly careless when it comes to pedestrians. Here they persist in using sidewalks notwithstanding creation of special lanes just for cycling.
Given the hazards of crowded cycling, and given the many risks cyclists take for no good reason, I think cyclists ought to be licensed in the same manner as cars and motorcyclists. And insured.
20
The people with carts are trying to make a living, for heaven's sake.
1
@ marymary
As a bike rider, pedestrians scare me more than cars. They not only use the bike lanes as if they are an extension of the sidewalk, but they walk out into them - against the light - without so much as a glance.
Tourists seem to have a death wish.
As a bike rider, pedestrians scare me more than cars. They not only use the bike lanes as if they are an extension of the sidewalk, but they walk out into them - against the light - without so much as a glance.
Tourists seem to have a death wish.
1
Like many other modern cities throughout the US and the rest of the world, maybe NYC needs some enclosed overhead walkways at key locations.
26
I had the pleasure of experiencing these in Minneapolis. Fantastic!
6
The unwashed are not in Manhattan. This is not about hygiene, it's about numbers.
“When you get out-of-towners and New Yorkers, it’s like mixing Clorox with ammonia, it doesn’t work — there’s a chemical reaction,” said Jato Jenkins... Ha! Well said, Mr. Jenkins. I saw a child (presumably from out of town) dodging theater goers his skateboard on Seventh Avenue recently. I couldn't believe it! But then again, it's New York.
16
Ever been to East Asia? They seem to manage alright.
17
Wrong, No name. From Time Mag, ca. 2004: "With just 16% of the world’s cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles, Asia accounts for more than half of the roughly 1.2 million traffic fatalities that the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates occur globally every year. More than 600,000 Asians are killed and another 9.4 million are severely injured in traffic accidents annually. Those statistics make Asia’s highways the meanest streets in the world. In Thailand, for example, road accidents are now the third leading cause of death after AIDS and heart attacks, according to the country’s Ministry of Public Health. In China and India, where members of expanding middle classes are taking to the roads in record numbers, crash rates are growing out of control. Car ownership in China jumped 41% between 1999 and 2002, while over the same period accidents increased twice as fast, by more than 83%."
11
It IS like that in Asia, but not so sure we want to reproduce the effect in New York!
1
This is why I think another tunnel under the Hudson is a bad idea. I am not against replacing the tunnels, but there should be no new capacity into Manhattan. Manhattan is FULL. Thin, needlelike towers going up everywhere, sidewalks spilling over into streets, ridiculous lines of trucks trying to get onto an island. Leave some vanity HQ there, but please move more jobs out of the city. I feel for all the commuters. Let Manhattan become an island for billionaires, set all the normal people free! The rest of the country is waiting. It doesn't have to be like this.
59
Sue I hear you but those folks who commute every day? They do that to earn a living and they are not 1%ers living in those fancy towers-- and they need more mass transport into NYC to get to their jobs. They dont have a choice.
31
The rest of the country isn't waiting, there are plenty of young people leaving for less crowded, less expensive, and, dare I say it, more beautiful places. Technology has made it possible for lots of people to work remotely, and so they are. The streets are largely jammed with tourists in Manhattan, and they Walk. So. Slowly. But, hey, welcome.
5
The people are coming whether or not you build the tunnel. Better to provide good mass transit for them rather than them driving in, which takes up even more space we don't have.
8
(It's the phones stupid.)
That's the culprit here - even in the photos that accompany the story -- look how many people are walking while staring into their tiny screens.
That's the culprit here - even in the photos that accompany the story -- look how many people are walking while staring into their tiny screens.
251
Yes, those idiots on their smartphones. More to the point: much has been made of the recent "burn" problem with a "fire-walk." What happened -- some idiots stopped to take selfies .. which caused problems for them, and those behind them. Like the band-scene in "Animal House."
Same thing, here.
Same thing, here.
1
When people do that, I snap (at them). I know it's mean, the low road, yadda yadda, but how inconsiderate and rude.
3
Also, people in that picture look a lot, er, "heavier" than they were back in the 1970's.....walking more slowly and taking up more space.
1
I'm used to overcrowded cities, but NY has actually only one big, totally unregulated obstical: clutter.
12
Ban the cars. It's the only solution.
205
And how would people who can't walk get around? How would food and other necessities be delivered?
9
J, other cities have closed off portions of streets so it isnt impossible. If the uber wealthy take over NYC, dont be surprised if they are the ones who press for this to happen.
6
People who can't walk aren't driving cars in Manhattan. Food and necessities are delivered by registered commercial vehicles, not private cars.
I don't think private cars should be banned, but we certainly need, at bare minimum, a congestion charge, and to widen sidewalks/reduce traffic lanes.
I don't think private cars should be banned, but we certainly need, at bare minimum, a congestion charge, and to widen sidewalks/reduce traffic lanes.
13
the author didn't cite the ever growing presence of "street-side" dining with more and more restaurants putting tables on the sidewalks (I'll have a side of exhaust fumes with my entree, please!). A local restaurant on 2nd Avenue seems to be setting their tables farther out each year. I cannot understand why people want to eat with (a) the cars going by, (b) dogs lifting their legs on the planter/barrier or (c) people walking by single file to accommodate this craziness.
On the subject of tourists: they need to learn to keep pace with the locals -- ambling along like a snail can be done in the parks where it is appropriate, but on the streets: keep up - we walk fast around here. While I am at it: no taking up the entire sidewalk spreading out 5 or 6 abreast! And PLEASE!!! stop congregating on the corners: I am trying to get out of the way of that speeding truck for crying out loud!
Best Regards,
A walker in Midtown East.
On the subject of tourists: they need to learn to keep pace with the locals -- ambling along like a snail can be done in the parks where it is appropriate, but on the streets: keep up - we walk fast around here. While I am at it: no taking up the entire sidewalk spreading out 5 or 6 abreast! And PLEASE!!! stop congregating on the corners: I am trying to get out of the way of that speeding truck for crying out loud!
Best Regards,
A walker in Midtown East.
247
"On the subject of tourists: they need to learn to keep pace with the locals"
Sorry but no. A real NYer takes the streets and avoids the avenues on high tourist months. Works wonders.
Sorry but no. A real NYer takes the streets and avoids the avenues on high tourist months. Works wonders.
6
To Samrn
Couldn't agree more. It's a total pain -- especially the sidewalk dining thing. Why does the City allow this use of public space by restaurants? Another dangerous situation is the increasing sidewalk use of bicycles, scooters, hover boards, etc. on the sidewalks -- very dangerous. These people think they can anticipate the movements of the rest of us, not taking into consideration that we may stop, turn around, or make other unpredictable moves. Why do they continue to get away with this dangerous behavior?
Couldn't agree more. It's a total pain -- especially the sidewalk dining thing. Why does the City allow this use of public space by restaurants? Another dangerous situation is the increasing sidewalk use of bicycles, scooters, hover boards, etc. on the sidewalks -- very dangerous. These people think they can anticipate the movements of the rest of us, not taking into consideration that we may stop, turn around, or make other unpredictable moves. Why do they continue to get away with this dangerous behavior?
11
Samrn,
you and article's author need to lighten up. Sure, the sidewalks get crowded, but at certain places and times.
We don't need "officials" looking in the problem. I don't understand this obsession that says everything needs to be re-thought or fixed. It's life in the big city: deal with it, adapt, change your schedule, avoid certain places, but get out of the mindset that "officials" must always be doing something. This was the mantra of the Bloomberg years.
No one likes traffic and congestion, but I still want to be able to recognize the city of my birth. And I don't care how acclimated people have become, but tables and chairs in the middle of Broadway still looks ridiculous.
you and article's author need to lighten up. Sure, the sidewalks get crowded, but at certain places and times.
We don't need "officials" looking in the problem. I don't understand this obsession that says everything needs to be re-thought or fixed. It's life in the big city: deal with it, adapt, change your schedule, avoid certain places, but get out of the mindset that "officials" must always be doing something. This was the mantra of the Bloomberg years.
No one likes traffic and congestion, but I still want to be able to recognize the city of my birth. And I don't care how acclimated people have become, but tables and chairs in the middle of Broadway still looks ridiculous.
68
Right now there's plenty of real estate adjacent to New York City sidewalks and bike lanes. The only problem is we use it to store private cars. If the city were to eliminate or reduce free and cheap parking from crowded areas, it could wide sidewalks, push the bike lane out a little farther, and accommodate thousand more people than are serviced by the eight or ten parking spots on one side of a block.
Space should of course be left so that deliveries could be made to local businesses, but the convenience of a small handful of people who wish to drive should not outweigh the thousands of people who need to walk safely and comfortably.
One way or another, New York will seriously have to rethink the amount of space it gives to cars and start prioritizing people instead.
Space should of course be left so that deliveries could be made to local businesses, but the convenience of a small handful of people who wish to drive should not outweigh the thousands of people who need to walk safely and comfortably.
One way or another, New York will seriously have to rethink the amount of space it gives to cars and start prioritizing people instead.
406
Free and cheap parking? WHERE??? Some of us suburbanites need to drive into the city because MetroNorth is more expensive than carpooling.
14
It's a pedestrian city where the cars rule, and until attitudes shift to a pedestrian city where pedestrians rule, this problem is never going to go away.
I'm genuinely sorry that people mistakenly think that New York is Los Angeles. By that, I mean I am genuinely sorry for all of the pedestrians (most everyone) have to deal with this backwards point of view.
I'm genuinely sorry that people mistakenly think that New York is Los Angeles. By that, I mean I am genuinely sorry for all of the pedestrians (most everyone) have to deal with this backwards point of view.
26
Have off island parking, and let more people ride the subway.
1
walking in new york should be in the olympics
117
slightly,
Wife and I have coined a term called our 'Chicago Walk'; we developed it over 5 decades of going downtown to eat, play, work, get drafted, you name it. It's a very fast walk. When you need to catch that last train to your happy little Hobbit Hovel in NW Indiana you really put on the extra log!
We now live in Idaho. It involves walking up mountains at some 8K feet elevation.
Wife and I have coined a term called our 'Chicago Walk'; we developed it over 5 decades of going downtown to eat, play, work, get drafted, you name it. It's a very fast walk. When you need to catch that last train to your happy little Hobbit Hovel in NW Indiana you really put on the extra log!
We now live in Idaho. It involves walking up mountains at some 8K feet elevation.
Imagine the drug problem that would cause!
one suggestion - this worked for me - leave the office a little later, lunch a little later. where did everybody go?
41
Unless you work in Times Square.
11
This is true in many National Parks; get more than a mile from the parking lot and you are alone.
1