Blocking Pedestrian Ramps at Unmarked Crosswalks and Unaltered Commercial Vehicle Markings

Online comments: 26

• King

  Is there any discussion on illegal curb cuts (not at crosswalk.) in front of commercial properties that taken away street parking parking? Dept. of Buildings record shows no legal curb cut permits and the building does not have a certificate of occupancy for commercial use and curb cuts.

  Comment added August 4, 2023 10:11am

• Charles Stewart III

  The parking component of this law is obvious common sense and should be adopted.

  Comment added August 7, 2023 4:53pm

• Betty Kay

  I support the proposed rule that would amend the term “unmarked crosswalk” to include T-intersections where there is an existing pedestrian ramp and prohibit vehicles from blocking pedestrian crossing points at those intersections. As a mobility scooter user in a neighborhood with many T-intersections, I have long wondered why I need to go a block or more out of my way in order to get on or off of a sidewalk so that a private vehicle can park in front of the only place that pedestrians with wheeled devices (wheelchairs, strollers, delivery carts, luggage, etc.) can use. Safety is an important rationale for the change, but I can tell you from personal experience that the drivers are not happy to have me in their travel lane while I look for a place where I can get on the sidewalk.

  I look forward to the change, not only so that I can use more of the existing curb cuts, but also as a tax payer. It seems counterproductive to be installing pedestrian ramps under court supervision while allowing some existing ones to be blocked.

  Comment added August 11, 2023 11:34am

• John

  Too often where I live (in Bedstuy) and work (Brownsville) I see cars blocking intersections so people like seniors cannot pass. I also see DOT restripe intersections so poorly, AROUND cars. This bill should pass and we should start ticketing and impounding cars who are preventing human beings from using the city.

  Comment added August 14, 2023 9:36am

• Shane Sauder

  This is an important rule change that needs to be implemented ASAP. Too frequently we have cars blocking these types of intersections making passage by stroller or wheelchair difficult or impossible. It also blocks sightlines and makes crossing the street stressful and dangerous.

  Thank you for proposing this and please implement it quickly

  Comment added August 14, 2023 10:22am

• Bin Rad

  We cannot allow our crosswalks to be blocked. We need to get out of the mindset that cars come before everyone else, including people in wheelchairs, people with strollers, people trying to walk etc. We need to de prioritize the most inneficient for of transportation, especially when most people in the city do not even drive.

  Comment added August 14, 2023 12:22pm

• Campbell Munn

  This rule seems so obvious I cannot believe it is not already on the books. That said, the City should work toward not having *any* “unmarked crosswalks”. How hard is it to put zebra striping down? Until then, let’s get this passed and ensure that NYC is holding up its end of the bargain on providing accessible sidewalks and crosswalks to everyone across all 5 boroughs.

  Comment added August 14, 2023 3:49pm

• Jackson Chabot

  This is an important step to ensure our city is safe and accessible for all. I applaud the DOT for reversing the 2009 carveout that prioritized drivers over everyone else. I urge the DOT to go further and ban parking at any T intersection, regardless of whether or not it presently has a crosswalk or pedestrian ramp. No driver should be allowed to make it less safe or accessible for the sake of a parking spot.

  Relatedly, NYC DOT should daylight every intersection as mandated per New York state law. By preventing drivers from parking up to an intersection, all users can see each other. This makes it safer for people walking, biking, and driving. Hoboken has daylighting at every intersection and has not had a fatality in over four years. Daylighting saves lives.

  As reported by Streetsblog, Queens Community Board 1 passed a resolution calling on the city to daylight every intersection. In their letter to the agency, they said, “The city should either build out the curb corners with concrete, or install granite blocks, planters, or bollards.” The use of physical materials will block a driver from parking where they shouldn’t. This is more effective than using paint or flex posts.

  Although not part of the proposed rule change, it is important to highlight that sidewalk quality and curb cut design also matter.

  Bad curb cuts, and no curb cuts are problematic for everyone: people using wheelchairs and mobility devices, strollers, grocery carts, etc. This puts users in a bind because people don’t know where the next curb cut is and shouldn’t have to search for them. Having to search for a curb cut becomes a guessing game and many people don’t have the physical strength and stamina to search for the next accessible curb cut. No one else has the problem of searching for a low curb to jump or a driveway to use. It is like a minefield out there, and allowing drivers to park at any T-intersection exacerbates this problem.

  Many sidewalks and curb cuts are treacherous and, at times, impassible. Because of this, people using wheelchairs and mobility devices have to look down to inspect the sidewalk condition in real-time rather than being able to move safely and enjoy their surroundings. Presently, years can go by without sidewalk or curb cut improvements.

  Please do not allow drivers to park at any T-intersection.

  Comment added August 15, 2023 5:06pm

• Rachel Grosso Hodges

  I fully support changing the rule that allows for vehicles to block pedestrian ramps at unmarked crossings. For too long, vehicular parking has trumped the needs of all other modes, inhibiting access and mobility throughout our neighborhoods. This rule has unfairly hindered the mobility of people using mobility devices, of people with strollers, and of people needing a safe and accessible way to move from the curb to the street. Thank you for working to make our city safer and more accessible for people of all ages and abilities.

  Comment added August 17, 2023 2:46pm

• Midtown Apt

  This rule needs to be expanded to get bikes, ebikes, mopeds, cargo bikes, and other vehicles to cease stopping in crosswalks (marked or unmarked). Bikes and other such vehicles routinely block persons in wheelchairs, parents with strollers, senior citizens with walkers, and pedestrians from accessing sidewalks, ramps and crosswalks.

  Comment added August 19, 2023 9:48am

• Tee Kay

  In 2023 safety is a smoke screen to push an agenda. The agenda of so called activists is to get rid of cars by all means possible. I saw this way back when vision zero was implemented. Funny, how vision zero only targeted the drivers no mention about wearing reflectors, jay walking, playing Russian roulette with cars. Now in 2023 There is no such a thing as a car accident. it’s called car violence, reckless driving, without ever giving any context to the incident. If the activists and their supporters in the city council can make it harder to park and on top of that make more money for the city. Then its a win – win for them. It’s disgusting.

  Comment added August 28, 2023 5:33pm

• Vladimir Tamayeff

  This proposed pedestrian rule change will be a costly $165 nightmare. It is a recurrent lousy and bad dream waiting to happen. In the interest of the taxpayers, it should not take effect. For that matter, speeding cameras should be withdrawn as it is merely an exercise of financial drain from the everyday hard-working folks.

  Comment added August 29, 2023 11:56am

• William Meehan

  I live in Brooklyn, and I am highly supportive of this rule. I live on a block with 3-way intersections that have unmarked crosswalks, and the parked cars make it very difficult for me to cross the street.

  DOT should go even further and daylight every intersection per New York State law, so that everyone, but especially children and wheelchair users, will be more visible to drivers as they cross the street.

  Comment added August 31, 2023 11:13am

• Elizabeth Denys

  I strongly support prohibiting vehicles from blocking pedestrian crossing points at unmarked crosswalks. The current provision that allows for cars and trucks to block these crosswalks is incredibly unfair for New Yorkers who use mobility aids to get around and parents pushing strollers. Additionally, it forces everyone further into the street before they can see if it’s safe to cross, and if cars are parked too close together to pass through, it forces people to cross at very dangerous non-crosswalk locations.

  Changing this rule is a great first step to fixing NYC’s lack of daylighting, and DOT needs to revise all daylighting rules to come in line with the New York State daylighting law they currently override so that every intersection has daylighting. New York City is on track to having one of the deadliest years for traffic violence because our policies do not ensure that everyone can safely use our streets. Allowing parking all the way up to the intersection poses a great danger to people walking and biking – especially children and people using mobility devices – and ensuring there’s daylighting at every intersection will make vulnerable road users more visible to drivers at intersections.

  Comment added September 2, 2023 10:37am

• Samir Lavingia

  Pedestrian safety is of the utmost importance. By allowing vehicles to block pedestrian ramps at crosswalks, it is showing that we value parking more than we value the free flow of pedestrians, especially those who need the ramps and have accessibility needs.

  This should be amended as soon as possible to show that we respect all New Yorkers including those who require ramps.

  It is a federal standard and the rule should be updated to align with said standards.

  Comment added September 2, 2023 11:10am

• Eric Jenkins-Sahlin

  I am submitting my comment to request that DOT propose a rule change prohibiting drivers from parking at any T-intersection, regardless of whether or not there is a pedestrian ramp or crosswalk. The current proposed rule change would still allow drivers to park at T-intersections with no pedestrian ramp.
  This would be an important change to support the safety needs of pedestrians, people who use wheelchairs, bikers, AND even drivers. Safe and vibrant neighborhoods are walkable neighborhoods.

  Comment added September 2, 2023 1:07pm

• Sunny Ng

  I support this legislation because blocking sidewalk ramps is dangerous for pedestrians who will have to navigate around parked cars to cross the street, and also blocks people on wheelchairs’ ability to cross. It should’ve never been allowed in the first place.

  Comment added September 2, 2023 5:21pm

• George McCracken

  I support this, but I think section 2 (which elminates mid block crossings) should be taken out.

  Comment added September 2, 2023 6:02pm

• David

  In support of this, but section 2 should be deleted – mid block crossings are normal in NYC and should be allowed.

  Comment added September 3, 2023 3:44pm

• Deborah Herdan

  I strongly support daylighting at most intersections because it improves visibility for vehicle drivers, pedestrians and cyclists reducing crash injuries and deaths. T intersections deserve this life saving treatment. Please pass this important public safety rule.

  Comment added September 5, 2023 8:35am

• Elizabeth Adams

  Resuming parking restrictions at intersections with curb cuts is a basic, common-sense policy that makes our streets safer to cross and easier to navigate, especially for people who use wheelchairs or push strollers. It was a mistake to remove the ban in the first place, and this policy must be reversed as soon as possible. Transportation Alternatives applauds the City for taking steps to close this loophole. The City should take the next step of prioritizing universal daylighting at all intersections in the city.

  Comment added September 5, 2023 9:43am

• Deborah Kerzhner

  I have been advocating for better rules around unmarked crosswalks, and for daylighting at T intersections. Based on a visual survey I did of the UWS, both of these issues exist predominately near parks. The lack of safety caused by cars blocking intersections and preventing visibility therefore disproportionately impacts park goers, who are pedestrians or cyclists.
  I personally feel very unsafe at the unmarked crosswalks at Freedom Place on the UWS, but after writing to DOT with this issue, was told nothing can be done. There are no stop-streets at this intersection, adding to the dangerous conditions. I’m attaching a document I prepared explaining my concerns. While the document primarily deals with daylighting at T intersections, many of the points apply to the proposed legislation.

  Comment attachment
  Daylighting-at-T-Intersections_sm.pdf

  Comment added September 5, 2023 3:00pm

• Eric McClure

  Attached please find StreetsPAC’s comments on the proposed amendments to rules governing T-intersections. Thank you.

  Comment attachment
  StreetsPAC-Testimony-to-NYCDOT-T-Intersection-Rule-090523.pdf

  Comment added September 5, 2023 4:29pm

• Brandon Chamberlin

  Please see the attached comment urging modification to the proposed rule. DOT should not outlaw midblock crossings city-wide and should not make the right of way at T-intersections dependent on difficult to see pedestrian ramps. Section 2 of the proposed rule (outlawing midblock crossings) should be removed and Section 1 of the proposed rule (amending the definition of “crosswalk”) should be modified to make all T-intersections legal crosswalks.

  Comment attachment
  Comment-on-DOT-T-intersection-rule.pdf

  Comment added September 5, 2023 4:58pm

• Kate Brockwehl

  Vehicles shouldn’t be able to block pedestrian ramps. This is a much needed change especially since most crashes occur at intersections. I know this personally — I was seriously injured as a pedestrian in one, in a marked crosswalk, when I had the walk light. Removing vehicles will improve visibility especially since as SUVs and light trucks have proliferated, many drivers cannot appropriately see wheelchair users and children.

  Comment added September 5, 2023 4:59pm

• Nina Sabghir

  I’m appalled that we even need a bill. Crosswalks should never be blocked, whether marked or unmarked. Pedestrian safety and accessibility for the disabled should always be the priority.

  Comment added September 5, 2023 6:14pm