It's still early days in the new Mayoral Administration, but we’re delighted to report that change is in the air in the fight for livable streets in New York City.
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has been saying all the right things since he took office on January 1st. (He even shoveled asphalt, putting those words into action.) And perhaps most importantly, he has committed to acting with ambition to build a city that is safe, affordable, and not such a struggle to live in.
Getting there will take work, but it can happen much quicker than you might think.
Which is why we’re offering Council Member Gale Brewer and Council Member (and newly appointed Transportation Committee Chair) Shaun Abreu three proven and practical ideas that they should champion in 2026:
School Streets. This idea is based on the simple premise that the streets in front of schools should prioritize the safety and well-being of students over car parking and vehicular traffic. School Streets exist all over the world. There are even some great examples in NYC. But in Community Districts 7 and 9, there are no school streets at public schools, and just three part-time school streets in total. This year is a great time to change that.
Low Traffic Neighborhoods. This idea is an inexpensive and effective way to reduce the numbers of cars and trucks on any given block to the point that the street itself becomes a space for people and shared uses. Low Traffic Neighborhoods (LTNs for short) are new to NYC, but it’s an idea that has a lot of support. Let’s pilot at least one LTN each in Community District 7 and 9 in 2026.
Bike Network. This idea illustrates that a chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and the same goes for transportation infrastructure. Community District 7 has some of the city's oldest protected bike lanes, and none on most of its avenues and crosstown arterials, while Community District 9 has none at all. Beyond single lanes, a Bike Network provides an accessible route whatever your destination. Let's start to weave a network this year by building out projects that already have community support.
So how do we get it done?
Local elected officials don’t control the streets, but they can play a key role in the public’s support for change and help make sure local feedback is constructive and meaningful, not simply obstructionist. That’s why we need our Council Members to get excited about, and get behind, these transformative ideas.
Turning these few key concepts into reality would mean cleaner and quieter neighborhoods, more comfort and safety when we move around, independence for our kids, community for our seniors, and joy for us all.
Whether you live in Community District 7, Community District 9, or somewhere else entirely, we all deserve to live, work, and play in safe, affordable, and livable communities. These three ideas are key pieces to getting us there on the Upper West Side.
Click the link below to learn more about how these ideas could help the Upper West Side become the livable neighborhood we deserve.
