The NYC DOT's annual Car-Free Earth Day will take place on Saturday, April 22nd this year, and it's expected to be their largest-ever celebration of open streets in New York City.
The event, which kicks off their season of Open Streets, is meant to "promote activism and education surrounding climate change, sustainability, and more sustainable modes of transportation," according to the DOT.
MORE OPEN STREETS: Beyond the Earth Day event, the NYC DOT’s Open Streets program in 2023 will include more than 160 locations, including 25 new locations. See them all here!
This year, Car-Free Earth Day will feature seven signature locations and 23 community produced locations, where you'll find performances, fitness trainings, giveaways, and educational activities.
The best ways to keep it car-free every day here in NYC is by using mass transit, walking, or riding a bike.
"Over 5 million customers ride on MTA public transit every day across the metropolitan area — a climate-friendly network that is responsible for reducing the region's greenhouse gas emissions by 17 million metric tons," said MTA Acting Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara. "We look forward to supporting Car-Free Earth Day and reminding New Yorkers that mass transit isn't just the fastest and easiest way to get around, it's also the greenest."
So take the subway to a station near one of the below locations, and maybe enjoy the open road on a Citi Bike. This year, Lyft will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours (use the code CARFREE23 in the Citi Bike app to get this deal).
Signature event locations are listed below and the additional 23 community-organized locations can be found at nyc.gov/carfreenyc:
Manhattan
Dyckman Street
Route: Broadway to La Marina
Programming Highlights: Dyckman Gardens to provide performances, Hudson River Community Sailing, Uptown Soccer, DOT Safety Education, Bameso, 511 Rideshare, Creative Art Works, Northern Manhattan Improvement Corporation, People's Theatre Project, NYC Parks Canoe & Kayak Club, art making activities by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Lyft / Citi Bike.
St. Nicholas Avenue
Route: 181st Street to 190th Street
Programming Highlights: Washington Heights Business Improvement District, DCAS Fleet, DOT Bike Unit, Empire Clean Cities, Lotus Music and Dance, Jazz Power Initiative, Van Cortlandt Titans Youth Football Program, Inc., Riverstone Senior Life Services, Marching Cobras, Citizens' Climate Lobby, Bike New York, Collective for Arts, Music & Dance, Margaret V. Fitness, Fogo Azul, and Armory Foundation.
Broadway
Route: East 17th Street to West 42nd Street
Programming Highlights: Times Square Alliance, Broadway Green Alliance, 34th Street Partnership, Flatiron NoMad Partnership, and Union Square Partnership.
Brooklyn
Troutman Street
Open Streets Partner: Bushwick Foundation for Artists and Merchants
Route: St. Nicholas Avenue to Irving Avenue
Programming Highlights: Carter Van Pelt, Duane Harriot, Ayanna Heaven, L Train Brass Band, Dream Factory, Parks Wildlife, 511 Rideshare, Empire Clean Cities, Clean Bushwick Initiative, Horticultural Society of New York.
Queens
Woodside Avenue
Open Streets Partner: Thai Community USA
Route: 76th Street to 79th Street
Programming Highlights: Horticultural Society of New York, Queensboro Dance, 511 Rideshare, Zing! For Kids, Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs, NYC Commission on Human Rights, Metro Plus Health, NYCDOT, Mayor's Office of Public Engagement, Civic Engagement Commission, DSNY Compost.
The Bronx
Willis Avenue & Roberto Clemente Plaza
Open Streets Partner: Third Ave BID
Route: 147th Street to 148th Street
Programming Highlights: Salsa Stories, Silver Shoes Dance, Horticultural Society of New York, Orisha Wholeness, 511 Rideshare, NYCDOT Bike Unit, Get Women Cycling.
Staten Island
Minthorne Street
Open Streets Partner: Staten Island Chamber of Commerce and The Angiuli Group
Route: Bay Street to Victory Boulevard
Programming Highlights: Citizens Climate Committee, Kuki, Maker Park Radio, One Big Table (Street Lab w/ WNYC), Get Women Cycling, Skyz The Limit.
If you head out to enjoy the open streets, tag @MTAaway on social with your photos!
