Mamdani's Path to Low Traffic Neighborhoods Could Run Through Queens - Streetsblog New York City

"Dense districts of western Queens offer the best chance for Mayor Mamdani to introduce low-traffic neighborhoods to New York City, according to local advocates who discussed the car-light concept at a recent meetup in Mamdani's former neighborhood. Street safety boosters in Astoria, which Mamdani represented in the state Assembly before he moved to Gracie Mansion, gathered on Monday night to figure out how to bring low-traffic neighborhoods to the Big Apple - and their corner of the city in the particular."

"LTNs, which have long been common in cities like London and in Barcelona, use a suite of tools - such as gates, bollards, signage, and modal filters - to discourage internal car traffic while encouraging walking and cycling. They divert private car traffic away from quieter residential blocks onto peripheral roadways, while still allowing local access."

"These comprehensive redesigns would build upon several prior interventions, in neighborhoods like Jackson Heights and Sunnyside, that improved safety and reduced through-traffic - and bring Mamdani even closer to fulfilling his promise of turning the streets of New York into the " envy of the world." "A low-traffic neighborhood design could help 'level up' these projects by calming cut-through traffic and adding pedestrian infrastructure, so more New Yorkers can enjoy their benefits," said attendee John Surico, an Astoria resident who chairs the 31st Avenue Open Street Collective and contributes to Streetsblog."

""Western Queens has already shown what's possible when neighbors lead the way," said Emily Chingay, an advocacy a engagement associate at Open Plans. "Communities are eager for calmer, safer streets that bring people together. Low traffic neighborhoods build on"

Dense districts of western Queens are seen as a strong starting point for introducing low-traffic neighborhoods in New York City. Local advocates in Astoria gathered to plan how to bring car-light streets to their area. Low-traffic neighborhoods use tools such as gates, bollards, signage, and modal filters to discourage internal car traffic while supporting walking and cycling. Private car traffic is diverted away from quieter residential blocks toward peripheral roadways, while local access remains possible. The approach would build on earlier safety and anti-through-traffic interventions in places like Jackson Heights and Sunnyside, further improving pedestrian infrastructure and calming cut-through traffic. Advocates connect the changes to broader goals of safer, calmer streets that strengthen community life.

Read at Streetsblog New York City