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By: Don Driggers
A New York City lawmaker is pushing a sweeping proposal to dramatically expand car-free areas across the five boroughs — a move critics warn could worsen congestion and eliminate more space for drivers.
The legislation, introduced by Brooklyn City Councilman Lincoln Restler, would require the city to create 5 million square feet of additional pedestrian space over the next five years, according to a report by the NY Post.
As the NY Post reported, the bill would effectively mandate the city to add about 1 million square feet of pedestrian-only space each year, incorporating the initiative into the Department of Transportation’s next five-year “Streets Master Plan.”
Restler argues that New York’s streets simply do not provide enough room for pedestrians, especially in crowded areas where foot traffic regularly overwhelms sidewalks. During a City Council transportation committee hearing, the Brooklyn lawmaker said residents often struggle to move comfortably through packed streets and plazas.
“Walking is the primary way that we all get around as New Yorkers,” Restler said while presenting the proposal, according to the NY Post. He argued the city needs to prioritize people on foot rather than vehicles in dense neighborhoods.
The proposal would focus heavily on high-traffic locations near major transit hubs and commercial centers. As the NY Post reported, areas like Herald Square in Manhattan and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center could be prime candidates for expanded pedestrian plazas, widened sidewalks, or car-free streets.
Possible changes include new public plazas, expanded “Open Streets,” curb extensions, and “daylighting” — a traffic-safety measure that removes parking spaces near intersections to improve visibility for pedestrians and drivers.
However, the legislation does not estimate how many traffic lanes or parking spaces might disappear if the plan is implemented, something that has already drawn criticism from opponents.
As the NY Post reported, several city officials and transportation advocates worry the proposal prioritizes anti-car policies while ignoring the realities of commuting in large sections of the city that lack reliable public transportation.
Councilwoman Joann Ariola, a Republican representing parts of Queens, blasted the plan as unrealistic for neighborhoods where residents depend heavily on cars.
She argued that many policymakers pushing anti-car initiatives live in well-served transit areas and underestimate how different life is in outer-borough communities. According to the NY Post, Ariola said some lawmakers seem to believe the entire city has the same transit options as neighborhoods like Park Slope, where public transportation and bike infrastructure are plentiful.
Critics outside government also voiced concerns. Some neighborhood activists warned the plan could worsen congestion by removing lanes from already crowded streets.
One longtime critic of the city’s Open Streets program told the NY Post the proposal risks treating streets like empty public plazas rather than essential transportation corridors. Opponents say roadways are critical not only for drivers but also for emergency services, deliveries, and accessibility for seniors or people with disabilities.
Despite the criticism, city transportation officials signaled support for the broader goal of expanding pedestrian space. The Department of Transportation has already created roughly 500,000 square feet of pedestrian space per year in recent years through various initiatives.
DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said the agency is developing new programs aimed at giving pedestrians more room throughout the city.
