In a bold move to transform the urban landscape of New York City, Brooklyn Councilman Lincoln Restler, known for his progressive views on transportation, has introduced a bill set to expand pedestrian-friendly zones significantly. The proposal outlines the creation of one million square feet of pedestrian space annually over the next five years in the metropolis.
Restler’s legislation, unveiled on Tuesday, does not specify the number of parking spaces or driving lanes that could be sacrificed to realize this vision, a detail that city transportation officials have yet to clarify. However, the proposal mandates that the city’s Department of Transportation (DOT) incorporate this pedestrian space initiative as a central feature in its upcoming five-year “Streets Master Plan,” scheduled for release in December.
The plan envisions a city abundant with pedestrian plazas, curb extensions, and car-free areas, urging DOT and Mayor Mamdani to focus on creating these spaces near transit hubs with the highest pedestrian traffic. Landmark locations like Manhattan’s Herald Square and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center are targeted as potential beneficiaries of this urban redesign.
During a City Council transportation committee hearing on March 3, Restler passionately advocated for his proposal, highlighting the need for more open streets and public plazas. He emphasized the importance of ‘daylighting,’ a practice that bans parking near crosswalks to enhance pedestrian movement and safety.
Expressing a sentiment familiar to many city dwellers, Restler remarked, “As a New Yorker, I don’t think there is anything more frustrating than being stuck behind a slow-walking person, and it often happens in these highly congested areas because we just don’t have enough space for all of us to get around.” Representing neighborhoods such as Williamsburg and Greenpoint, known for their bike-friendly culture, Restler’s proposal aims to alleviate these frustrations by prioritizing pedestrian accessibility in the city’s bustling areas.
“As a New Yorker, I don’t think there is anything more frustrating than being stuck behind a slow-walking person, and it often happens in these highly congested areas because we just don’t have enough space for all of us to get around,” barked Restler, who reps Williamsburg, Greenpoint and other bike-friendly communities.
The bill is already drawing plenty of heat from critics.
“This is yet another favor for the anti-car lobby that will make life harder for residents of the outer boroughs,” said Councilwoman Joann Ariola (R-Queens).
“Some of my colleagues are under the delusion that the whole city has the public transportation options of Park Slope, and that everyone can ride a bike everywhere in any weather,” added the councilwoman, who represents much of The Rockaways, Howard Beach and other “transit deserts.”
“I wholeheartedly invite them to look beyond their bubbles and come back to reality.”
Sandy Reiburn, a Brooklyn resident and longtime critic of the DOT’s controversial “Open Streets” program, said the legislation would only bring New York City “more gridlock.”
“Streets aren’t decorative space—they’re the arteries of commerce, emergency access, and mobility,” Reiburn said.
“Restler’s plan treats streets like empty real estate, but for seniors, paratransit users and the disabled, a curb isn’t optional — it’s access. Wiping out roadways wipes out the ability to pick people up where they actually need to go.”
The DOT – which oversees 93 public plazas totaling about 2 million square feet — has added nearly 500,000 square feet of pedestrian space annually the past four years.
The agency’s previous five-year plan fell short of meeting targeted goals like building 150 miles of protected bike lanes and 250 miles of protected bus lanes by the end of 2025.
“Walking is the primary way that we all get around as New Yorkers,” said Restler, who notoriously has championed to reduce curbside parking and other policies prioritizing pedestrians, cyclists, and public-transit riders over drivers. “And frankly, the city does far too little to ensure that we have adequate pedestrian space across our communities, especially in the most congested areas.”
DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn, a Mamdani appointee, all but said the agency has no desire put the brakes on it.
“As demand for pedestrian space increases, we are responding by expanding opportunities that prioritize pedestrians at the block, corridor, or district-wide scale,” he said.
“We are also developing some exciting new programs and commitments on this topic that we intend to incorporate into the upcoming new Streets Plan. “We look forward to ongoing conversations with the Council to identify initiatives that meet our shared goal to increase pedestrian space citywide.”
