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Car-free Bedford Ave
494 supporters / 1,000 goal
Why Bedford Ave should be car-free
Bedford Ave is primarily a residential and commercial street in the center of Williamsburg. Removing cars from the stretch of Bedford Ave between the Williamsburg Bridge Ave and McCarren Park would transform the street into a vibrant and safe community space for the many residents and businesses that live nearby. Meeker Ave and Kent Ave will still operate as through-routes for cars, and both avenues connect to the Williamsburg Bridge for travel to Manhattan.
Safety
🚶♀️Safer for people walking - safer to cross the street
🚲 Safer for people biking - provides a safe, comfortable ride through the neighborhood
👶 Safer for children - enables children of all ages to safely bike to school, to meet with friends, etc.
♿ More accessible - people with disabilities can travel more safely without the risk of getting hit by a car
Quality of life
🌳 More green space - flowers and trees for more beauty
🔊 Reduced noise pollution - no more honking 24/7
🌬️Better air quality - less exhaust from cars means cleaner, fresher air
☕ More space to socialize - plentiful public seating, restaurants and cafes have more outdoor seating, etc.
Climate
🌎 Better for the environment - less cars means less carbon emissions
Economic
💰 Better for local businesses - more foot traffic means more customers
Transportation
🚦 Reduced congestion - by making it easy and safe to bike, less people will drive
🚚 Better for deliveries - delivery vehicles will no longer be delayed by traffic
🚨 Better for emergency vehicles - emergency vehicles will no longer be delayed by traffic
Proposal details
- Location: S 5th St to N 12th St
- Hours: 24/7/365
- Cross streets (Metropolitan Ave, Grand St, etc.) open to traffic
- Current traffic rerouted to Kent Ave, Meeker Ave
- Delivery vehicles would continue to have full access
- Emergency vehicles would continue to have full access
Street Data
- Since 2011, there have been 199 total crashes on this stretch of Bedford Ave, resulting in 230 total injuries—59 cyclist injuries, 68 pedestrian injuries, and 103 motorist injuries. (NYC Crash Mapper)
Neighborhood Data
- 66.9% of people in City Council District 33 do not own a car. (Spatial Equity NYC)
City Data
- Car-free streets result in a 19-44% increase in sales for businesses (Streets for Recovery)
Watch this video of how amazing a car-free Bedford would be.
Decision-makers
Lincoln Restler, Council Member, District 33
https://twitter.com/LincolnRestler
718-875-5200
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Jennifer Gutiérrez
https://twitter.com/CMJenGutierrez
718-963-3141
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Emily Gallagher Assemblywoman, District 50
https://twitter.com/EmilyAssembly