With a dance in honor of Mother Earth, this Monday the city’s Transportation Commissioner, Ydanis Rodríguez, announced the date and schedule for the annual celebration of Earth Day without cars on April 22.
“A day where the streets are not going to be closed, but are going to be open for pedestrians, for cyclists, to celebrate with art and education,” said Commissioner Rodríguez.
The event, which was launched for the first time in 2016, has the mission of encouraging New Yorkers to leave their vehicles parked and enjoy the parks, squares and open streets, known as ‘open street’ that the city has.
“In all the counties we are going to be celebrating Earth Day, asking our people to leave their vehicle parked that day, to use public transportation, to walk,” added the commissioner.
“Fewer cars on our roads helps us fight the climate crisis and make our streets safer. That’s why Commissioner Rodriguez announced the biggest Open Streets event yet: Car Free Earth Day on April 22 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. #CarFreeNYC will include 7 exclusive locations in all 5 boroughs,” the Department of Transportation (DOT) wrote in a social media post.
Fewer cars on our roads helps us fight the climate crisis and make our streets safer. That’s why Commissioner Rodriguez announced the largest-ever Open Streets: Car-Free Earth Day on 4/22 from 10AM-3PM. #CarFreeNYC will include 7 signature locations across the 5 boroughs. pic.twitter.com/299fm8E6f5
— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) April 3, 2023
Programming occurs in prominent locations throughout the city, to promote activism and education around climate change, sustainability, and other relevant environmental issues.
“It is very important for our city, because it reminds us of the responsibility to take care of our mother earth first; Second, it’s an opportunity to celebrate the public spaces, the safest streets for pedestrians throughout our city,” said Queens Councilor Shekar Krishnan.
Attendees added that in addition to being a time to celebrate the beauty of our planet, it also serves to take steps to preserve it and support our communities.
“We have more public spaces for our community to use. And that’s the investment we need in our communities for our families,” said Councilwoman Marjorie Velázquez,
As every year, each point has a wide range of musical activities, dance, art, bicycle programming and non-motorized vehicles, which has spread throughout the city connecting open streets, squares and accessing more than 1,000 miles with bicycle network.
“On April 22, #CarFreeNYC programming will be available at 7 exclusive locations across all five boroughs,” the Department of Transportation writes in another social media post.
#theBronx:
•Roberto Clemente Plz & Willis Ave Open Street at 148 St#Brooklyn:
•Troutman St, St Nicholas Ave – Irving Ave#Queens:
•Woodside Ave, 76 St-79 St— NYC DOT (@NYC_DOT) April 3, 2023
If you want to know which are the other routes that will be part of this event and the activities they will carry out, you can visit the website: nyc.gov/carfreenyc
Earth Day will be celebrated on Saturday, April 22 at seven iconic locations and 23 community venues, with programs that include performances, physical training, giveaways, and educational activities for all.
