New York City’s Open Streets season kicks off on April 26 with its largest Car-Free Earth Day celebration ever, turning more than 54 streets across the five boroughs into vibrant public spaces. The Department of Transportation (DOT) on Thursday announced that the city’s annual Car-Free Earth Day will include a record-breaking 54 streets and plazas, along with expanded programming in Queens, Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Staten Island.
“Car-Free Earth Day is a chance for New Yorkers to enjoy our city’s world-class streetscapes as open spaces for all,” DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez said.
“We only have one planet — temporary public art, programming, music, and other activities at dozens of car-free streets around New York City will help us remember: we must all do our part to reduce our carbon footprint and respect our environment.”
The Open Streets season begins with Car-Free Earth Day, which began in 2016 by transforming several Manhattan streets into car-free public plazas. In 2024, the DOT awarded $30 million in contracts to expand resources for Open Streets, plazas, and other public spaces.
The DOT also announced it has commissioned five artists to create temporary, environmentally focused artwork along select Open Streets routes as part of its DOT Art program. A highlight includes Ishita Jain’s “Branching,” which honors the city’s trees, on display at 300 JCDecaux bus shelters citywide.
Additionally, the agency’s popular Art Stop Letters will return for Car-Free Earth Day, featuring a new botanical design by illustrator Caitlin Keegan that imagines springtime in a “car-free utopia.”
DOT will also present two sculptures on Car-Free Earth Day: “Asphalt Asters” by Molly Gambardella, which transforms community-sourced single-use plastic bags into large-scale sculptures, and “Rising. Curtain.” by Anjali Deshmukh and Ernest Verrett, a beaded curtain depicting global temperature changes from 1901 to 2000 to raise awareness about climate change.
Signature Car-Free Earth Day events will take place at the following locations:
Manhattan:
- Broadway: 17th Street to 46th Street
- St. Nicholas Avenue: 181st Street to 190th Street
- Dyckman Street: Broadway to La Marina/Inwood Hill Park
Queens:
- Woodside Avenue: 75th Street to 78th Street
Brooklyn:
- 5th Avenue: 40th Street to 50th Street (expanding from 40th Street to 45th Street)
The Bronx:
- East 188th Street: East Fordham Road to Valentine Avenue + Creston Avenue: East 188th Street to East Fordham Road + Valentine Avenue: East 188th Street to East Fordham Road (expanding East 188th Street)
Staten Island:
- Port Richmond Avenue: Richmond Terrace to Castleton Avenue (expanding from Castleton Ave to Post Avenue)
To celebrate Car-Free Earth Day, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on classic bikes for 24 hours. Riders can redeem the offer by entering promo code CARFREENYC25 in the Day Pass tab of the Citi Bike app.
“Open streets are a wonderful way to bring neighborhoods together, encourage New Yorkers to step out of their cars, and increase engagement with businesses,” Council Member Keith Powers said. “This year, we are offering more options than ever, opening new streets to New Yorkers and bringing our community together to engage with one another and enjoy free public programming. I look forward to taking a stroll on the open streets this summer!”
There are three types of open streets:
Limited Local Access: Streets designated for pedestrian and cyclist use during set hours and days each week. Local vehicle access is allowed for parking, collecting or dropping off passengers, making deliveries and loading, Access-A-Ride vehicle access, or emergency vehicle access.
Full Closure: Streets that are temporarily closed to vehicles to permit car-free activities that support local businesses, organizations, and schools and create a space for public gatherings. Emergency access and an emergency lane must be clear at all times.
Full Closure (Schools): Streets that are temporarily closed to vehicles to help schools during drop-off and pick-up hours, recess, and outdoor learning time.
Manhattan:
Brooklyn:
Queens:
Staten Island:
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