Empire State Review Team 
New York City Opens Streets for a Greener Future in 2025
NEW YORK – The New York City Council has voted to establish the Open Streets program as a permanent initiative beyond the pandemic. The 2025 season will commence on April 26 with community celebrations that prioritize sustainability and public engagement.
Kickoff with Car-Free Earth Day
The 2025 Open Streets season begins with Car-Free Earth Day, featuring a celebration that spans all five boroughs of New York City. The event will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with 54 roads and plazas transformed into pedestrian-friendly areas connected to an expansive network of over 1,000 miles of bike paths.
Community Activities and Public Engagement
New Yorkers can look forward to a plethora of activities at various locations, including:
- Free bike repairs offered by the 5 Borough Bike Club in Union Square, Brooklyn, and Manhattan.
- Indigenous dance performances by The Thunderbird American Indian Dancers at Dyckman Street.
- An art walk organized by the Museum of Urban Arts in the Garment District.
- Environmental education panels hosted by WE ACT for Environmental Justice in Times Square and Manhattan.
- Learn-to-ride bike lessons provided by Bike New York in Union Square and St. Nicholas Avenue.
- Musical performances featuring Mia Soleil Sanchez and Iqbal Hossain Jibon.
- Distribution of free bike helmets by NYC DOT Safety Education in Brooklyn.
- Fitness classes conducted by UNI Energy in Queens.
- Rollerblading events with Let’s Roll NYC in the Bronx.
- Information booths focusing on healthy living with Bronx Health REACH.
- Performances by Bindlestiff Family Cirkus in multiple boroughs.
- Open volleyball matches with Bameso USA Volleyball.
Public Art Installations
As part of the celebration, five environmental-themed public artworks will be displayed, highlighting New York City’s commitment to sustainability:
- Rising. Curtains by Anjali Deshmukh and Ernest Verrett: A beaded curtain sculpture illustrating global temperature changes, located in Sunset Park, Brooklyn.
- Asphalt Asters by Molly Gambardella: Giant plastic bag flowers in bloom at Flatiron, Manhattan.
- NYC Art Stop Letters by Caitlin Keegan: Botanical-themed sculptures spelling “NYC” in Times Square.
- Branching by Ishita Jain: Informative posters celebrating the city’s oldest trees, displayed at JCDecaux bus shelters.
Future Plans and Resources
The Open Streets program is set to expand beyond the initial 127 locations announced. Updated maps and operational details will be available on the NYC DOT’s official website at nyc.gov/OpenStreets.
Additionally, free Citi Bike rides will be accessible throughout the day on April 26 using the promo code CARFREENYC25 in the Citi Bike app’s “Day Pass” section.
This initiative embodies New York City’s dedication to enhancing community interaction while fostering environmental awareness and sustainability.
Conclusion
The Open Streets program marks a significant step in New York City’s journey towards a sustainable urban environment, creating opportunities for engagement and public enjoyment across all five boroughs.
