“Vending machines are commercial businesses that generate income for individuals. Sidewalks belong to all of us, and the city has historically ensured that all items that encroach on pedestrian space, such as parking meters, trees, and fire hydrants, are removed from public service. I have tried to configure it.”
Adi Talwar
A street vendor near the 82nd Street subway station in Jackson Heights, Queens, 2022.
We live in two different worlds when it comes to sidewalks, what they are for, and who uses them.
Over the years, we have seen improvements to the pedestrian experience in New York City. Mayor Eric Adams was appointed Duke Emperor. When some thoroughfares became so congested that New Yorkers had to walk in driveways or bike lanes, the city began adding “bumpouts” (extension of sidewalks near bends) to accommodate the crowds. . Crosswalks were also installed in the middle of some blocks. All these changes worked.
In Manhattan’s Chinatown, the city is spending $40 million to redesign Chatham-Kimrau Square to create a four-way intersection with more public space and shorter crosswalks. A $100 million street reconstruction project is underway in DUMBO, Brooklyn, which includes widening sidewalks on the way into Brooklyn Bridge Park. In downtown Brooklyn, Mayor Adams has committed $40 million to pedestrian improvements to improve the shopping experience along Fulton Street and Flatbush Avenue.
These are examples of cities that take pedestrians for granted, as they are essential to the vitality and vibrancy of their communities.
This is also a time of increased curbside use, including containerized waste, online retail delivery, and outdoor seating. Additionally, a much-needed expansion of public realm investment by the City and Business Improvement District (BID) will add bike racks, information kiosks and more.
But a bill that would impede pedestrian flow and even public safety is winding its way to a vote in the City Council.
The bill would allow vendors to set up items, whether goods or food, two feet from the curb, rather than directly against the curb, as is currently required. In addition, if there are already “obstacles” such as tree beds, bike racks, or fire hydrants, vendors can install them in front of them. This is equivalent to double parking. Imagine wheelchair users, the visually impaired, the elderly, and parents with strollers trying to navigate the sidewalk.
As leaders in business improvement districts, we want vibrant, well-organized and beautiful cityscapes that reflect diverse interests, not just in the crowded business districts, but also in the quieter corners of New York City. We need thoughtful standards for what’s on sidewalks that don’t favor one group of New Yorkers over another and allow pedestrians to move freely.
This bill could be voted on in the coming months, but it threatens to derail our progress. Vending regulations require a 12-foot wide walkway from the property line to any curb or sidewalk obstruction. However, this does not include the vending cart or its operation itself. So, on a 12-foot-wide sidewalk, the bill would allow vendors to occupy 7 of the 12 feet, and pedestrians would be forced to have 5 feet of space.
As the Bronx’s Fordham Road BID pointed out, on a recent afternoon so many vendors lined up along the sidewalk that the walkable space was reduced to 3 feet in some places, causing pedestrians to jostle each other and squeeze through. I had to wait in line. various bottlenecks. By the way, New York City law prohibits the vending of general merchandise in the Fordham Road area.
Yes, street vendors have been part of the urban ecosystem for many years. However, this bill prioritizes private interests over public interests. Vending machines are commercial businesses that generate income for individuals. Sidewalks belong to all of us, and the City has historically worked to ensure that all items that infringe on pedestrian space, such as parking meters, trees, and fire hydrants, constitute a public service. As mentioned earlier, new installations like bike racks are taking up space little by little, but there’s no denying that they serve a public need.
Everything in life is give and take. Giving contractors the right to install in the middle of sidewalks would impede pedestrian movement and put people at risk. We call on the City Council to reconsider this law, which could have a significant impact on local investment in public space.
Robert J. Benfat and Erin Piscopink are co-presidents of the NYC BID Association, which represents leaders of the city’s 76 business improvement districts.
