New York City drivers could lose around 300,000 parking spots, and taxpayers might be facing a $3 billion deficit due to a bill advancing through the city council, supported by members from both ends of the political spectrum.
The NYC Council’s Progressive Caucus announced plans to push the legislation through for full council approval by year-end. The proposal entails removing parking spaces within 20 feet of crosswalks, replacing them with barriers to restrict vehicle access.
Dubbed the “Universal Daylight” bill, it aligns with state laws put forward by Councillor Julie Wong (D-Queens) last December. The aim is to improve visibility at intersections, curb traffic fatalities, and enforce restrictions on parking near previously exempt intersections.
“This legislation is designed to significantly enhance safety on the streets for everyone—drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists alike,” Wong stated, representing a district that is no stranger to parking challenges.
However, the measure is encountering significant pushback from unexpected corners. Even Mayor Eric Adams’ transportation department has long promoted an anti-vehicle agenda.
During an April hearing regarding the legislation, city DOT research indicated that improved visibility at intersections might also inadvertently encourage speeding and sharper turns.
“If implemented citywide, we could potentially see an increase of around 15,000 injuries annually,” Deputy DOT Commissioner Eric Beaton warned during the discussions with council members.
He also highlighted that the cost of installing barriers at approximately 40,000 intersections would be around $3 billion.
Wong’s bill doesn’t specify a timeline for completion but suggests the DOT could handle the installation of such structures at least at 1,000 intersections per year.
The Department of Transportation has already made alterations at many other intersections in recent years to improve safety, with current restrictions on parking near numerous bus lane intersections.
Out of 51 council members, including 18 in the Progressive Caucus, 27 have signed on as sponsors.
While a majority of votes is needed for passage, an additional seven would be required to override a mayoral veto.
“This bill is so flawed that even unlikely supporters within the DOT oppose it, emphasizing how extreme it is,” Councillor Robert Holden, D-Queens commented.
“Daylight provisions must be grounded in concrete safety data at high-risk intersections, not applied as a blanket rule from a progressive caucus that seems detached from governance principles.”
Republican Councillor Inna Vernikov, who successfully lobbied to maintain essential parking in areas like Sheepshead Bay, argued that even those advocating against cars recognize the issues with this legislation.
“The universal daylight initiative is a reckless, one-size-fits-all approach that wipes out countless parking spots affecting everyday New Yorkers—especially seniors, families, and small business owners—with little real benefit,” she noted.
Wong’s supporters assert that the bill enhances road visibility, reduces traffic fatalities, and aligns with existing laws that prohibit parking within 20 feet of intersections, even where such restrictions were not previously enforced.
“Progressive council members should reconsider their roles as urban planners and start listening to the voices of the locals,” emphasized Shannon Phipps, a North Brooklyn activist and founder of the Berry Street Alliance. She criticized the bill for promoting risky cycling behavior and suggested it might be influenced by behind-the-scenes lobbying advocating for an anti-vehicle stance.
“The city has already stripped away so many parking spaces. Officials seem unconcerned about the elderly and people with disabilities who rely on vehicles,” she said.
