A Street Summer Dream: New Yorkers Want More Time For Sun, Less For Sedans

Open Plans survey shows 91% of New Yorkers’ first request for Summer Streets is for there to be more of them

A new survey conducted by Open Plans demonstrates overwhelming public support for expanding New York City’s Summer Streets program. The data underscores a desire to reclaim more public space for people—not cars. While there are changes New Yorkers want to the long-running program, the majority of respondents indicated that they wanted more options for enjoying Summer Streets.

Key findings from the survey include:

• 91% of respondents support holding Summer Streets events more often.

• 77% would like to see car-free hours extended.

• 75% favor expanding the routes to include more city streets.

Currently, the Department of Transportation’s Summer Streets initiative creates approximately 20 miles of car-free corridors across the five boroughs on select Saturdays in August. The program has become a mainstay of New York’s summer experience, enabling walking, biking, and programming in vibrant, vehicle-free public spaces.

Survey data shows strong and diverse engagement:

• 68% of participants bike and 62% walk during Summer Streets.

• 44% report jogging, and 22% engage in DOT-sponsored activities along the routes.

• Participants also expressed interest in additional infrastructure and amenities to enhance the experience:

• 44% want more public restrooms,

• 40% seek additional water stations,

• 26% support more food vendors,

• 23% call for more events and programming.

Notably, 64% of respondents also voiced support for creating cross-borough Summer Streets routes, allowing better connectivity across neighborhoods and boroughs. While a plurality of survey respondents reside in Manhattan, strong engagement was also recorded among residents of Brooklyn and Queens—reinforcing the potential for an expanded and more equitable footprint.

Written comments echo the data. One participant noted how transformative the experience can be: “I am struck by how friendly and energetic a street can be when pedestrians and cyclists aren't terrified of being run over.”

Another highlighted the emotional value of these shared spaces: “It is absolutely soul-filling to see such a beautiful space be filled with families and all types of people.”

New York City spans over 6,300 miles of streets and 120,000 city blocks, yet only 20 miles are open to people on a few Saturdays each year. In 2025, Open Plans facilitated letters of support from 21 elected officials to NYC DOT. The evidence is clear: New Yorkers are ready for more. It’s time to extend, expand, and enlarge Summer Streets—to meet the demand for public space that reflects the city’s energy, equity, and spirit.

About the Survey 

Open Plans conducted a public survey to gather New Yorkers’ perspectives on the city’s Summer Streets program. The survey was conducted from January 28th to May 9th. A total of 117 respondents participated, sharing their views on how the program could be improved, expanded, and made more accessible. Survey responses were collected from Open Plans listserv, Reddit subs, and running groups that regularly use Summer Streets. Of those who responded, 44% were based in Manhattan, 19% in Brooklyn, 14% in Queens, 7% in The Bronx, 4% lived outside New York City, and 12% did not report their city of residence.