What's happening
This bill allows New York City to set five mile per hour speed limits on designated open streets to prioritize non-vehicular street users.
Why it matters
Empowers New York City to further prioritize non-drivers. By specifically allowing 5 mph speed limits on designated "open streets," the bill gives city officials more authority to create spaces where people walking, cycling, or using micromobility devices feel safer and more comfortable.
Defines “open streets” in state law. The bill legally clarifies what qualifies as an open street, tying it to stretches where vehicle access is physically restricted and priority is given to non-vehicular users. This means the city can more confidently enforce special rules and design standards in these areas.
Potential for expanded public space and community events. With legal backing for extremely low speed limits, the city could more easily convert streets for uses like street fairs, outdoor dining, recreation, and other non-car activities, supporting local businesses and community life.
Signals a shift in transportation priorities. The amendment highlights a growing focus on street design that emphasizes safety and access for non-drivers, which could have ripple effects on city planning, enforcement, and future transportation policy debates.
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Who cares
New York City Department of Transportation
The bill would authorize speed limits as low as five miles per hour on designated open streets where motor vehicle access is controlled and non-vehicular users have priority.
Drivers using open streets
They could face speed limits as low as five miles per hour on these streets, rather than the existing ten-mile-per-hour minimum.
Pedestrians and bicyclists
The bill would allow lower vehicle speed limits on open streets designated to prioritize them and other non-vehicular street users.
Headline styles
Lower Speed Limit for Open Streets
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
History
- Referred to transportation
- Referred to transportation
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
573
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by Sens. SALAZAR, SEPULVEDA -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Transportation
AN ACT to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing a five mile per hour speed limit for open streets in cities having a population in excess of one million
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subparagraph (a) of paragraph 27 of subdivision (a) of section 1642 of the vehicle and traffic law, as amended by section 2 of part OO of chapter 56 of the laws of 2024, is amended to read as follows:
(a) Establishment of maximum speed limits below twenty miles per hour at which motor vehicles may proceed on or along designated highways within such city for the explicit purpose of implementing traffic calming measures as such term is defined herein or for the explicit purpose of implementing an open street; provided, however, that no speed limit shall be set below ten miles per hour nor shall such speed limit be established where the traffic calming measure to be implemented consists solely of a traffic control sign, and provided, further, that no speed limit shall be set below five miles per hour on an open street. Establishment of such a speed limit shall, where applicable, be in compliance with the provisions of sections sixteen hundred twenty-four and sixteen hundred eighty-four of this title. Nothing contained herein shall be deemed to alter or affect the establishment of school speed limits pursuant to the provisions of section sixteen hundred forty-three of this article. For the purposes of this paragraph, "traffic calming measures" shall mean any physical engineering measure or measures that reduce the negative effects of motor vehicle use, alter driver behavior and improve conditions for non-motorized street users such as pedestri-
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD00603-01-5
ans and bicyclists, and "open street" shall mean a street or segment of a street designated by the New York city department of transportation as such pursuant to section 19-107.1 of the administrative code of the city of New York, on which motor vehicle access is controlled by barriers and signage or other traffic calming measures, and on which priority is given to pedestrians, individuals using bicycles, and other non-vehicular street users.
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to authorizing a five mile per hour speed limit for open streets in cities having a population in excess of one million
Purpose
To authorize New York City to set a five mile per hour speed limit on Open Streets.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 amends subparagraph (a) of paragraph 27 of subdivision (a) of section 1642 of the vehicle and traffic law to grant the authority to the City of New York establish a speed limit of five miles per hour on Open Streets.
Section 2 sets the effective date.
Justification
The Open Streets program is designed to allow pedestrians and cyclists to enjoy the city streets with limited or no vehicle traffic. On streets where vehicles are permitted, the NYC Department of Transportation advises motorists to "be extremely cautious and to drive 5 MPH or slow- er." However, drivers regularly travel at speeds much higher than 5MPH, posing a danger to other individuals who want to enjoy the Open Streets.
Streets designed for walking and cycling should be protected against vehicles which travel at highly unsafe speeds. New York City should have the authority to set a 5 MPH speed limit on Open Streets.
Fiscal impact
None
Legislative history
SENATE
2023-2024: S315A (Salazar) - Referred to Transportation.
2022: S9569 (Salazar)- Referred to Rules ASSEMBLY
2023-2024: A1416A (Epstein) - Referred to Transportation.
2022: A10647 (Epstein)- Referred to Transportation
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the ninetieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the addition, amendment, and/or repeal of any rule or regulation necessary for the implementation of this act p its effective date are authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.