The city council’s transportation committee will be hearing two open dining bills that threaten to shrink pedestrian space as well as preclude daylighting. I urge you to testify, talk to your colleagues, and stand strong to protect our ever-shrinking walking space.
November 24, 2025, at 10 a.m.
in Hearing Room 1 of the 8th Floor of 250 Broadway, New York, NY,
and via Zoom web conference,
To testify live or in person, register HERE.
Or send testimony HERE
The existing open dining law provides for wider clear path for walkers on regional and international arterials. Only 3% of New York City’s sidewalks, such as those that are extremely congested, like Broadway and 8th or 9th Avenues, are subject to the 2 to 4 foot expansion. For commuters and pedestrians, this was a battle and a significant victory.
Two council members have now been persuaded by the restaurant business to introduce legislation that would return this clear path area to the eateries and revert to an antiquated clear path measure that ignores sidewalk congestion. Additionally, it does not address some bottlenecks brought about by incorrect rule interpretation.
Additionally, daylighting at street corners, a tried-and-true safety technique that has previously received a majority of council votes, is prohibited by the bill.
At the same time, we are in favor of coordinating the street cafes’ opening period with the roadway dining period. If we are willing to give up a significant portion of the sidewalk for 12 months of the year, why would it be an issue to lose curb space for the same amount of time ? There would be less demand for sidewalk space if there was a better alternative at the curb.
Read more in the MCB4 resolution