How you can end parking mandates in NYC
What separates Buffalo, Austin, and San Jose from New York City?
They’ve all gotten rid of parking mandates — a burdensome and outdated zoning requirement requiring parking in new housing developments, making housing more expensive and increasing car ownership.
This week, New York City got one step closer to removing parking mandates for new housing as the Department of City Planning’s City of Yes for Housing Opportunity went before a marathon, two-day City Council Hearing.
Not only would City of Yes remove costly parking mandates, but it would also allow new housing near transit lines, a proven way to reduce emissions and grow transit ridership. Both are essential for New York City to meet its climate goals and end car dependency.
Here’s what we know:
Parking mandates impede affordable housing development, increase construction costs and rents, and disproportionately burden low-income households with costs.
Building new housing along transit lines reduces emissions, improves access to jobs, boosts neighborhood well-being, and makes commuting easier.
The proposal is popular: 74% of New York City voters support lifting parking mandates – with just 17% opposed — according to a new poll from Open New York.
It’s not too late to tell the City Council that you support lifting parking mandates to lower your rent by passing City of Yes. Send in written testimony today.
Three Things to Know
E-bike licensing isn’t working in Hoboken. At our Vision Zero Cities conference last week, Hoboken City Council Member Emily Jabbour said her city’s controversial measure to license e-bike delivery workers has not been effective. Instead of following in their footsteps — and those of LA, Toronto, and Houston, who also tried and failed to implement bike licensing — we need to try what works: building protected bike lanes, daylighting intersections, and holding Big Tech app companies accountable. Tell your Council Member: Reject e-bike licensing in New York City.
The 1,000 page document that decides your street designs just got a refresh. Most people have no idea what the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices is, let alone what it dictates. But this document governs street designs around the United States — and it just got its first update in 15 years. Read more about what that means for you in our Vision Zero Cities Journal.
In the press. Here’s what we’re reading this week.
Why did New York City require exactly 193 parking spots for a new housing development at 975 Nostrand Avenue? Read more in the New York Times about the negative impact of parking mandates.
Streetsblog reports that Fifth Avenue is one of NYC's busiest busways, yet its proposed redesign could slow down bus service. We need more pedestrian space, trees, and seating — but we shouldn’t have to choose between pedestrians, cyclists, and bus riders.
A new study reveals that thousands of cyclists rely on the Brooklyn waterfront greenway for their daily commutes. Read more about in Streetsblog.
Two Things to Do
Join us at the first Queens Waterfront Greenway Workshop. NYC Parks, DOT, and the Economic Development Corporation are kicking off this series to advocate for a more connected and protected waterfront, and we need your voice to demonstrate that our community demands a safe and accessible waterfront for everyone in Bayside, regardless of how they get around. At this workshop, you’ll have the chance to discuss current conditions, share your experiences, and help shape the future of our waterfront. The first session is at 6 p.m. on October 8 at Bohemian Hall and Beer Garden. Be sure to RSVP today, and let’s work together to build a safer, greener Queens waterfront.
Join Families for Safe Streets’ vigil to honor the memory of Lori Kleinman. Lori was tragically killed last October after being struck by an SUV driver. The vigil is at 6 p.m., Thursday, October 8, outside Jefferson Market Garden in Greenwich Village, near the location of the crash. Every New Yorker deserves to get home safely, and no one should die or become seriously injured just traveling around the city they call home. Join us in honoring Lori’s memory and demand safer streets for all.
One Action to Take Now
Sign our petition and say ‘no’ to new highways in the Bronx. The 5 Bridges Project proposes nearly a mile of new highway, wasting $900 million in taxpayer dollars to widen the Cross Bronx Expressway and build an elevated roadway over the Bronx River. Most households in the Bronx are car-free, yet the state's top-down, car-centric urban planning consistently overlooks the needs of our community, particularly residents of color. Make your voice heard — sign our petition today to tell your city leaders that you oppose this project!
P.S. The southern portion of McGuinness Boulevard is getting a massive safety upgrade. After years of organizing to make McGuinness safer, we’re glad to see DOT commit to following through on their promise to implement the road diet plan that was initially promised. This life-saving infrastructure will make a real difference in our community. A big thank you to our North Brooklyn Committee activists, the elected officials who supported us, and the 10,000 neighbors who signed our petition — your advocacy and dedication made this happen!
