Open Plans

NYC to lose 300,000 parking spots in City Council bid to boost street safety The NYC Council will vote on a street design measure that many members said would save lives as it decreases parking throughout the city.

A majority of casualties occur at intersections & “anything we can do to improve their safety, we have to do, and we know that daylighting is one of those tools.” After all, a human life is far more valuable than a parking space. @saraklind for @amNewYork
www.amny.com/news/nyc-par...

This program has an equity problem: wealthy neighborhoods get 80% of outdoor dining while areas under $80K income get 8.5%. Restaurants told us why they don't apply: expensive seasonal setup/teardown + storage costs. Our solution? Cut red tape & make it year-round. @nbcnewyork.com

Thanks to New Rules, Outdoor Dining Is Mostly for Rich Neighborhoods Again New data shows that with the elimination of year-round outdoor dining, just 2.2 percent of restaurants with roadway dining are in neighborhoods with median incomes of $60,000 or less.

The program not being year-round & the high costs of the application process make it so much harder for businesses in lower-income neighborhoods to participate. This is unacceptable–outdoor dining should be equitable and accessible to everyone. hellgatenyc.com/outdoor-dini...

As we continue to enjoy this year’s Summer Streets, we are sending a BIG thank you to the NYC electeds who backed its expansion! These aren’t just car-free roads, they are spaces for community & connectivity. Let’s keep expanding Summer Streets for all NYers! 🌆☀️

NYC Council Progressive Caucus to make push for universal daylighting in 2025 The 18-member caucus will prioritize the law restricting parking near intersections by year’s end – despite the Department of Transportation’s warnings.

Great to see these progressive leaders prioritize the safety of all NYers with universal daylighting. This bill will save lives and improve our streets.
Let’s pass Int 1138!! www.cityandstateny.com/policy/2025/...

📢 Thanks to your advocacy, Summer Streets expanded an extra hour, and the Manhattan route now stretches from the Brooklyn Bridge to the George Washington Bridge! Thank you @nyc-dot.bsky.social for these improvements to the program!

We will be tabling at all the locations so come say hi! 🚴🏾‍♀️🎉🕺🏻☀️

Careers — Open Plans Open Plans is a dedicated team of New Yorkers pursuing structural changes and cultural shifts to build a more people-centered city.

🌟 We're hiring! 🌟

We are seeking a passionate Communications Director to join our mission of transforming NYC's public spaces into vibrant, community-centered places.

Applications due Aug 19!
Join our team: www.openplans.org/careers

Join me in supporting the Comment on NYSDOT's Master Plan Campaign Transportation shapes the ways we live, work, and access jobs, healthcare and opportunities across New York State. The New York State Department of Transportation has released their draft Transportati...

New York State has released their 2025 Transportation Master Plan & now is the time for our communities to weigh in! Submit your comments to ensure every New Yorker has safe, accessible and affordable transportation choices to get where they want to go!
mountainkeeper.good.do/NYSDOT2050/c...

1 week ~ until our young professionals summer garden party! ✨🌷🌞

Food, drinks, games, music, and fellow urbanists who are advocating for a people-centered city like YOU!! 🍹🌇🎉

📅 Friday July 25
⏰ 6 PM
RSVP now: partiful.com/e/oK4gxERLqq...

NYC Rules Every year, City agencies make over 100 changes or additions to the City rules that are an important part of how government interacts with the public. New Yorkers can review proposed rules and voice t...

A 15 MPH speed limit for e-bikes means criminalizing:
- delivery workers making a living
- fast commutes
- NYers getting around in a fun, sustainable way
Don't let this happen! TODAY is the LAST day to submit a comment in opposition to this rule: rules.cityofnewyork.us/rule/speed-l...

New bus lanes coming to Hillside Avenue in Queens Construction started Tuesday.

"About 215,000 riders will benefit from the nearly eight miles of new bus lanes..." We love to see projects that benefit so many people; when we prioritize public transportation, we connect New Yorkers and free up our already busy streets from cars!
gothamist.com/news/new-bus...

Now is the time to prioritize the safety of ALL NYers while they drive, walk, and bike! The majority of the City Council supports universal daylighting! Let's pass Int. 1138, @nycspeakeradams.bsky.social

On Tuesday, Jon Jon Wesolowski helped us reimagine our communities. While gaining a better understanding of Low-Traffic Neighborhoods, we learned the ways cities like Barcelona, London, and Hamburg have effectively improved their streets. Thank you to @openplans.org for collaborating on this event!

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs 'Low-Traffic Neighborhoods' - Streetsblog New York City London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

I'm convinced if we elect a good mayor in a few months, we will have Low Traffic Neighborhoods in NYC in the very near future!

@iambrianjones.bsky.social @willnorman.co.uk @openplans.org @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social @nyc-dot.bsky.social @nyc.streetsblog.org

nyc.streetsblog.org/2025/07/04/f...

📢🌞This summer you will be able to bike🚴🏾‍♀️, walk🚶🏻‍♂️, or run🏃🏽‍♀️ from the Brooklyn Bridge to the George Washington Bridge as part of @nyc-dot.bsky.social’s Summer Streets!
& great news: they will now last until 3PM!!
For more info: www.nyc.gov/html/dot/htm...

Awesome video by Streetfilms! @streetfilms.bsky.social

Our neighbors in Washington D.C. get it. Year-round outdoor dining works for everyone–the City, businesses, and people.
D.C. is doing it successfully, so can NYC.

8:07pm. Jackson Heights. @34ave.bsky.social Open Streets.

7am - 8pm daily.

People ❤️❤️❤️it.
People: we’re not done.
People: longer summers!
@nyc.streetsblog.org @openplans.org @voteshekar.bsky.social @votejgr.bsky.social

To become a world-class cycling city, New York City needs secure bike parking.

So we joined with 16 groups including @bikenewyork.bsky.social, @openplans.org, and @workersjusticep.bsky.social to send a letter to Commissioner Ydanis Rodríguez urging DOT to finally implement its plan ⬇️

Mayor Adams Signs Legislation to Create new Business Improvement District in East Harlem JUN 22 - Mayor Adams Signs Legislation to Create new Business Improvement District in East Harlem

🎉Congratulations to the newly established East Harlem 125th Street BID!

Everyone in NY deserves safe, clean, & people-centered streets & public spaces! That’s exactly what our BIDs do for us & we love to see another neighborhood get the benefits!

www.nyc.gov/office-of-th...

How can we reclaim our streets with Low-Traffic Neighborhoods?

Join the conversation with Jon Jon Wesolowski this Tuesday July 1st at 6:30PM to learn how we can create safer, more local streets.

📍Hi-Note - 188 Ave B

RSVP: www.eventbrite.com/e/what-europ...

@1014nyc.bsky.social

Join 1014 and @openplans.org on July 1st at Hi-Note in the East Village with Jon Jon Wesolowski, The Happy Urbanist, as we explore how cities like Hamburg, London, and Barcelona are successfully reclaiming their local streets with the use of Low-Traffic Neighborhoods!
www.1014.nyc/events/low-t...

If you're in your first decade of supporting and advocating for a people-centered city (or maybe just starting your second), you don't wanna miss the fun – join young professionals for our rooftop garden party! 🌸🧡🌞
RSVP: partiful.com/e/oK4gxERLqq...

We're throwing young professionals a garden party this summer & you're invited! 🌞🎉🥂🌇 Meet and mingle with fellow urbanists that are shaping NYC's future!
🗓Friday, July 25, 2025
⏰6:00 - 9:00 PM

"This is a great first step, or option for some areas. But we’d love to see some simpler hardening at a quicker pace." - @chabotjackson.bsky.social

Passing Intro 1138 will get us there by mandating universal daylighting citywide & that 1,000 intersections are hardened each year!

Outdoor dining in NYC is struggling and we’re on a mission to save it!

We’re going around the city, connecting with businesses to help them and NYers tell the City they want a year-round outdoor dining program! Join the movement & take action now: action.openplans.org/year-round-o...

Mayor Adams Wants to Force E-Bikes and Scooters to Slow Down

Setting a 15mph speed limit for ebikes is chaotic, unfair & impossible to enforce. “Is a cop literally going to stand in the bike lane with a radar gun?” - @saraklind
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/05/n...

We helped PS 134Q apply for an Open Street last year, now they use it daily for recess & play! To celebrate, we’re co-hosting a Community Health Fair with partners citywide. Interested in joining as a community partner & setting up a table for students? Email sabina@openplans.org

No to 15 mph e-bike speed limit, yes to real safety! - Transportation Alternatives A ridiculous 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes won't work. Tell Mayor Adams and City Council: We need effective, data-driven policies that protect everyone, and accountability for the corporations fuel...

Say NO to Adams’ war on cyclists & demand safe streets for every NYer! Tell Mayor Adams & City Council that a 15 mph speed limit for ebikes is unjust, half-baked, and impossible to enforce.
act.transalt.org/a/no-to-15-m...

Not only is a 15 mph e-bike speed limit confusing and unfair, but it will put immigrant delivery workers in further danger of interactions with NYPD and ICE.
www.amny.com/nyc-transit/...