Driving in New York City just got more difficult thanks to Times Square street closures and car free days

By Buddy Evans, President of Big Bucks Auto™

American car culture took a hit recently when New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced that a portion of Times Square – a span of Broadway from 42nd to 47th streets – would be closed to vehicle traffic.

Some claim that the New York City Street closures leave car culture intact – not to mention the spirit of Times Square

New York Times columnist Nicolai Ouroussoff reported that “the soul of Times Square remains intact.” New York Times “Wheels” columnist Richard Chang sung a similar tune, writing that the street closures did little to affect driving in New York City.

On the other end of the spectrum, blogger Steve Rosenbaum suggested on “The Huffington Post” that Bloomberg’s “shocking” car-free move on Times Square amounts to a battle – and while pedestrians benefit, it’s the bicyclists that are winning.

Mixed reviews on NYC street closures and the effect on driving in New York City

The alleged effect of the new Times Square street closures for those few very touristy blocks has also come down square on the fence. Media outlets throughout New York City and across the globe quoted out-of-towners in traditional “oohhh” and “ahhhh” fashion. Fleets of delivery drivers were not to be ignored – just as many were quoted blaming the new car-free zone as a time-waster, money-drainer and all-around inconvenience.

Let’s not allow the details muddy the moral of the story here – a country with a car culture so thick you can taste it just shut down a few of the most bustling blocks in its busiest city. Voluntary street closures that make driving in New York City harder and bicycle and foot traffic easier…well, that’s a big deal.

This isn’t a major shift in American car culture

It is a small movement towards getting people to think about life without a car. Sure, tourists sitting in beach chairs in the middle of Broadway is still a novelty, but Bloomberg’s message is simple – American car culture is not some sacrosanct sector of our collective conscience.

The infrastructure of our nation is certainly designed around an American car culture, but the recent street closures in New York City serve as a reminder – even among some of the most traffic-saturated blocks on Earth, you can preserve a little bit pedestrian peace.

Times Square street closures prompt action on driving in New York City

In an effort to put our money where our mouth is, Big Bucks Auto is throwing our support behind the New York City group, Transportation Alternatives – whose mission is to “reclaim New York City’s streets from the automobile and to advocate for bicycling, walking and public transit as the best transportation alternatives.”

We’ve written extensively on issues affecting American car culture in New York City – from the Benefits of Riding a Bike and the Looming Average Cost of a Car to Air Pollution & Heath Risks.

If you feel moved enough to make a move towards this car-free culture, check out some of the ways you can sell your car with Big Bucks Auto.

Learn more about why you should choose Big Bucks Auto to buy your car and call us today at 1-888-44-BUCKS or 1-888-442-8257.