New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn on Sunday announced the return of Car-Free Earth Day — bringing car-free streets and events in all five boroughs on April 25.
The annual event makes select city streets car-free and promotes activism and education surrounding climate change, environmentalism, and sustainable modes of transportation. In Brooklyn, Fifth Avenue, between 41st to 45th Streets will be closed from 10:00am to 4:00pm.
“Car-Free Earth Day is a reminder that we only have one planet—and that our streets play a critical role in our fight against climate change,” Flynn said in a statement. “Transportation is the second biggest source of carbon emissions in New York City, and finding ways to make clean transportation options quicker, easier, and more affordable is key. We encourage all New Yorkers to come out to enjoy temporary public art, programming, music, and other activities at dozens of car-free streets around New York City.”
Through the support of Lyft, Citi Bike will offer unlimited 30-minute rides on a classic Citi Bike for 24 hours.
The popular NYC Art Stop Letters will come to Car-Free Earth Day with an original design by NYC-based illustrator Molly Magnell, showcasing springtime in a car-free urban utopia.
DOT Art will also present two sculptural installations, including New York-based interdisciplinary artist Duy Hoàng will present An Indicating Cycle, a sculptural book highlighting different indicator species that reflect current environmental conditions due to their sensitivity to climate change. The “pages’ reference figures and diagrams in scientific textbooks and museological specimen drawers. By turning the pages visitors can learn about the species’ life cycles while underscoring their active participation in the caring and stewarding our environment.
In addition, a large scale-installation by New York-based artist Frahydel Falczuk, titled The Plastic Sea, will evoke the sensation of being submerged in a "sea of plastic," as a commentary on waste and consumption. Participants are invited to collaborate by weaving colorful strips of non-recyclable film plastic into green mesh, transforming discarded materials into immersive surfaces that ripple like ocean waves.
Artists were selected through recent open calls from NYC DOT Art. More about NYC DOT Art initiatives and open calls at nyc.gov/DOTArt.
