Since the city removed one vehicle traffic lane in each direction in favor of a parking-protected bike lane between Calyer Street and Meeker Avenue in 2024, the boulevard has seen more cyclists, fewer vehicles and slightly-slower travel times.
"This project is symbolic of what we've done over the last 12 years, reshaping the streets and the city," Christophe Najovski, the city's deputy mayor in charge of green spaces, stated during the opening ceremony.
"Car-Free Earth Day is a reminder that we only have one planet-and that our streets play a critical role in our fight against climate change," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn in an official statement.
Two decades ago, the state created a fund with tens of millions of dollars that was supposed to be in a lockbox to crack down on insurance fraud - but instead was funneled simply to law enforcement agencies' general operating funds. As a result only a tiny portion was spent actually fighting fraud.
Missouri is the most populous state without a statewide active transportation plan, despite nearly one-third of its residents lacking a driver's license and alarming fatality rates among vulnerable road users.