UPTOWN — Can NYC go car-free for a day?
Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez, chair of Committee on Transportation, thinks it's possible, as do several organizations and companies.
Rodriguez, along with several environmental organizations and companies, unveiled the new #CarFreeNYC initiative on Wednesday morning at NYU's Kimmel Center to lower car usage for Earth Day on Friday, April 22 in New York City.
In a recent statement, Rodriguez said he's brought together several organizations, New York University, Columbia University and CUNY schools to provide transportation-related discounts, events and forums for New York resident throughout the day. During last month's Community Board 12 meeting, Rodriguez also said he would be teaming up with these organization to identify and close down several city streets and corridors for the event.
Corporations, like CitiBike, who Rodriguez said was a "key partner" in the initiative, already announced that they’ll be offering a free 24-hour pass to all New Yorkers, in honor of the event.
"This is a moral imperative that we can no longer ignore. The time to take action is now!" @ydanis #CarFreeNYC @CarFreeNYC
— Citi Bike (@CitiBikeNYC) March 16, 2016
Locals and research groups, like Regional Plan, have also pledged their support and participate on Earth Day.
RPA's NY Director @pierisan sharing our proud support of #CarFreeNYC pic.twitter.com/aAkVA52WEo
— Regional Plan Assoc (@RegionalPlan) March 16, 2016
I occasionally drive to work, but happily support a #CarFreeNYC — I'd be far happier biking everyday, it's just not safe up against cars.
— Diana Gerstacker (@DGerstack) March 16, 2016
Rodriguez said other major cities throughout the world, like Bogota, Colombia and Paris, have hosted their own car-free days, and he hopes New York will be the next city to follow suit.
