Foreign Affairs - 03.2020 - 04.2020

Mean Streets

March/April 2020 145

under Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Our approach to tra  c safety was

simple and cost eective. Instead o dreaming up megaprojects, we

took a long, hard look at the streets we already had, this time from the

perspective o the most vulnerable people.

Between 2007 and 2013, the Department o€ Transportation rede-

signed lengthy portions o 137 streets and revamped 113 intersections—

expanding the space to walk, decreasing crossing distances for

pedestrians, and making streets navigable enough for children, senior

citizens, and people with physical disabilities to cross. By narrowing

lanes and putting drivers in closer contact with pedestrians and cyclists,

the redesigns forced drivers to proceed, turn, and change lanes more

slowly and predictably. We also collaborated with the New York City

Police Department to implement reduced speed limits, using cameras

to catch cars speeding, running red lights, or intruding in bus lanes.

What’s more, we converted 180 acres o‘ New York City road space

into bike lanes, bus lanes, and new pedestrian space. This included

making 2.5 acres in Times Square car free: Broadway was transformed

from a taxi-choked corridor into a walkable haven. Instead o€ being

forced by crowds to venture into the street, pedestrians now amble

TOMAS

MUNITA

/ THE

NEW

YORK

TIMES

Unsafe at any speed: a trac jam in New Delhi, January 2008

17_Sadik-Khan_Solomonow_pp_Blues.indd 145 1/20/20 7:25 PM