NYC Needs a Comprehensive Snow-Removal Policy

Yesterday's snowfall – while thankfully not the blizzard that many outlets predicted – served as yet another reminder that New York City lacks a comprehensive system for clearing snow from intersections, crosswalks and catch basins.

SlushPuddleNYT.jpgWhile the Department of Sanitation did its usual yeoman's job of plowing and salting the city's streets, too much of that plowed snow ends up creating headaches for pedestrians, and for less able-bodied New Yorkers, dangerous and impassable obstacles.

As LTV Squad's Joseph Anastasio pointed out a year ago, snow removal at intersections falls into a responsibility black hole, and too many property owners skip shoveling their sidewalks because fines are low and enforcement is almost nil. He offers up a plan that largely puts the onus on the citizenry, which may or may not be the best plan – but at least it's a plan! And here are three suggestions from Streetsblog's Ben Fried for improving upon the current situation.

Given its role in creating laws, the City Council needs to tackle this nagging problem head-on. Sign the petition to ask the Council to initiate a comprehensive plan for improving snow removal in New York City.

Petition

To the New York City Council:

New York City needs a comprehensive snow-removal policy!

While the Department of Sanitation does an excellent job of plowing streets, the city has no equivalent process for clearing intersections, crosswalks and catch basins. We've all encountered mountains of snow and ponds of slush when simply trying to cross a street, but what's annoying for the nimble and able-bodied can be dangerous and impossible for the elderly, the disabled, young children or parents pushing strollers. Clear streets are not enough if they can't be crossed by pedestrians!

We, the undersigned, urge the Council's Transportation and Sanitation Committees to craft an overhaul to the laws governing snow removal.

Photo: Joshua Bright for The New York Times

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247 signatures

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Showing 211 reactions

signed via 2021-01-20 19:07:35 -0500
signed 2018-03-22 12:00:12 -0400
signed 2017-04-07 10:29:38 -0400
signed 2017-04-06 12:28:15 -0400
Michael McGrinder
signed 2017-03-31 13:45:40 -0400
Kindly clear off snow from crosswalks and bus stops!
signed 2017-03-30 20:27:39 -0400
signed 2017-03-30 09:51:42 -0400
signed 2017-03-30 08:27:24 -0400
signed 2017-03-29 23:11:59 -0400
From Copenhagen to Moscow… Everyone handles their snow infinitely better!
signed 2017-03-29 21:33:37 -0400
signed 2017-03-29 16:16:55 -0400
signed 2017-03-29 15:50:15 -0400
signed 2017-03-28 23:54:12 -0400
signed 2017-03-28 13:03:35 -0400
signed 2017-03-26 00:23:25 -0400
signed 2017-03-24 14:45:31 -0400
In a city where the number of households that owns a car is in the minority, this is unconscionable. The priority must go to those who are walking, biking or using public transit.
signed 2017-03-24 11:40:38 -0400
Very important. Corners in our neighborhood are not shoveled especially by Citibank on first and 79th.
signed 2017-03-24 00:39:16 -0400
signed 2017-03-23 13:28:08 -0400
posted about this on Facebook 2017-03-23 11:22:55 -0400
Sign the petition: NYC Needs a Comprehensive Snow-Removal Policy
signed 2017-03-23 11:22:11 -0400
The city’s snow clearance from bike lanes is also slow and haphazard. If NY wants to be a great biking city, it needs to prioritize bike lanes as well.
signed 2017-03-23 09:37:49 -0400
signed 2017-03-23 09:13:43 -0400
signed 2017-03-22 23:02:20 -0400
signed 2017-03-22 22:56:52 -0400
signed 2017-03-22 22:44:36 -0400
I live near 96th and Broadway, and the pathways at the intersections are all but impassable for days after a storm. Also, they should clear the curbs were people get off the bus. Very dangerous situations arise, when pedestrians are walking on the street after getting off the bus. Thanks!
signed 2017-03-22 22:12:48 -0400
signed 2017-03-22 21:42:13 -0400
signed 2017-03-22 21:21:32 -0400
Clear the corners, yes! wide enough for wheelchair or stroller. But snow blowers are too loud, and the piled snow is likely to be too hard to be blown.
signed 2017-03-22 18:45:11 -0400
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