New York City Council Header
File #: Int 1933-2020    Version: * Name: COVID-19 Relief Package - Temporary space for pedestrians and cyclists.
Type: Introduction Status: Laid Over in Committee
Committee: Committee on Transportation
On agenda: 4/22/2020
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to temporary space for pedestrians and cyclists
Sponsors: Carlina Rivera , Corey D. Johnson, Ydanis A. Rodriguez, Carlos Menchaca, Ben Kallos, Antonio Reynoso, Stephen T. Levin, Fernando Cabrera , Costa G. Constantinides, James G. Van Bramer, Keith Powers , Peter A. Koo, Mark Levine, Brad S. Lander, Margaret S. Chin, Daniel Dromm
Council Member Sponsors: 16
Summary: This bill would require the Department of Transportation (“DOT”) to provide additional street space to pedestrians and cyclists on no less than 75 centerline miles of streets while COVID-19 social distancing requirements are in place. Such space would be created through the implementation of shared streets or the closure of at least one lane on a street to vehicular traffic.
Indexes: Report Required
Attachments: 1. Summary of Int. No. 1933, 2. Int. No. 1933, 3. April 22, 2020 - Stated Meeting Agenda with Links to Files, 4. Committee Report 4/24/20, 5. Hearing Testimony 4/24/20, 6. Hearing Transcript 4/24/20, 7. Hearing Transcript - Stated Meeting 4-22-20

Int. No. 1933

 

By Council Members Rivera and the Speaker (Council Member Johnson), Rodriguez, Menchaca, Kallos, Reynoso, Levin, Cabrera, Constantinides, Van Bramer, Powers, Koo, Levine, Lander, Chin and Dromm

 

A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to temporary space for pedestrians and cyclists

 

Be it enacted by the Council as follows:

 

Section 1. Subchapter 1 of chapter 1 of title 19 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended by adding a new section 19-107.1 to read as follows:

§ 19-107.1 Temporary street space for pedestrians and cyclists. a. Definitions. For the purposes of this section, the following terms have the following meanings:

Centerline miles. The term “centerline miles” means the length of the street, as measured by miles, so that the total length of the street is the same regardless of the numbers of lanes.

Shared street. The term “shared street” means a street designated by the department as such with recommended speed limits of five miles per hour and that allows use by motor vehicles, pedestrians, and individuals using bicycles.

Temporary spacing order. The term “temporary spacing order” means an emergency order issued pursuant to section 24 or 29-a of article 2-B of the executive law that prohibits gatherings of more than 100 individuals in the city or requires individuals in the city to social distance.

b. Implementation. 1. Notwithstanding the requirements of section 19-107, no later than (i) seven days following the issuance of a temporary spacing order or (ii) if such an order is in effect on the effective date of the local law that added this section, seven days after such effective date, the department shall provide additional street space to pedestrians and cyclists on no less than 75 centerline miles of streets; provided, however, there shall be no less than five centerline miles in each borough and that no more than 30 percent of such miles shall be located in any one borough. Such additional space shall be created through the implementation of shared streets or the closure of at least one lane on a street to vehicular traffic.

2. Such additional space shall be accessible to pedestrians and cyclists during the duration of the applicability of such order or orders. 

3. The department shall consider the following factors in implementing the requirements of paragraph 1 of this subdivision:

(i) the safety of all street users;

(ii) creating space in neighborhoods with insufficient existing open or recreational space;

(iii) increasing space in dense neighborhoods with heavily utilized parks;

(iv) ensuring essential businesses can operate without impediment;

(v) ensuring deliveries to those essential businesses can continue and avoiding major truck routes wherever possible;

(vi) closures that do not require significant staffing; and

(vii) avoiding major medical facilities.

4. The department shall consult with and notify affected council members and community boards of the implementation of a shared street or the closure of at least one lane on a street to vehicular traffic pursuant to this section. In addition, the department shall consult with any business improvement district or neighborhood association that contacts the department regarding a location that could be utilized for such implementation or closure.

c. Expiraton. The requirements imposed pursuant to subdivision b of this section shall cease upon the expiration or repeal of any and all temporary spacing orders.

d. Reporting. No later than 30 days following the implementation of the requirements imposed pursuant to paragraph 1 of subdivision b of this section, the department shall submit to the mayor and the speaker of the council and post on the department’s website an evaluation of such closures and any recommendations for expansion.

§ 2. This local law takes effect immediately.

LS 14675

4/20/20 1:59PM