Mayor Mamdani Puts Kids First with Hundreds of New 15 MPH Slow Zones, Safer Streets Across NYC

NYC DOT has installed 15 MPH School Slow Zones at more than 200 school locations, with 800 expected to be in place this year as part of the City’s largest-ever expansion of Sammy’s Law  

  

City to install first-ever gated Open Street outside a school as part of safety redesign of Clarkson Street Open Street in Tribeca  

  

Open Streets for Schools return as City installs safety upgrades at more than 300 schools 

 

Rendering of the first-ever Open Street gate. Credit: Open Plans/Project for Public Spaces  

Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today welcomed New York City students back to school with new measures designed to make the streets around schools safer for children, families and all New Yorkers.   

  

From hundreds of new 15 MPH School Slow Zones and school street redesigns to the return of Open Streets and the city’s first gated school Open Street, the administration is expanding proven tools to slow traffic, create more space for pedestrians and make getting to and from school safer.   

  

“Every student deserves to feel safe when they make their way to school, and every parent deserves the same peace of mind,” said Mayor Mamdani. “From Sammy’s Law and Open Streets to installing street redesigns near 300 City schools, our administration will continue to take action to ensure our streets are safe, especially those surrounding our children’s schools.”  

  

“As a parent of two NYC public school students, I understand the importance of Open Streets as an opportunity to provide safe, open-air environments for children to learn and play — while also providing parents and guardians calmer and more social pick-ups and drop-offs,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We are using innovative tools to help keep children safe at school, from new street designs to an expansion of our School Slow Zones through our Sammy’s Law commitment.”  

  

Largest-Ever Expansion of Sammy’s Law  

  

Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani announced the City would reduce speed limits to 15 MPH at every eligible school location during his first term using the authority granted to New York City under Sammy’s Law.   

  

NYC DOT has already installed more than 200 15 MPH School Slow Zones this year, with roughly 800 expected to be in place by the end of 2026 as part of the first year of the administration’s commitment.  

  

First-Ever Clarkson Street Open Street Gate  

  

This month, NYC DOT will install the City’s first-ever Open Streets gate outside a school on Clarkson Street in Tribeca as part of an ongoing redesign of Clarkson Street between Hudson Street and Varick Street.   

  

The gate draws inspiration from Paris’ Rues aux Écoles, which use simple street gates to create safer, more welcoming spaces for students and expand opportunities for play and outdoor learning.  

  

The Clarkson Street redesign is one of the street redesigns taking place near more than 300 schools across the city this year. The project will add public seating, expand pedestrian space, create safer crossings, improve visibility and slow down drivers.   

  

The project is being completed in collaboration with City-As-School High School, M.S. 721 and Open Plans.  

  

Open Streets for Schools Return  

  

Clarkson Street is one of 77 Open Streets at schools launching across the city for the 2026-2027 school year.   

  

New York City has a roughly century-long tradition of closing streets for children to play and learn. Open Streets for Schools builds on that tradition by allowing participating schools to temporarily close streets to vehicles for drop-off and pick-up, recess and outdoor learning.  

  

Street Redesigns at Schools Across the Five Boroughs  

  

NYC DOT is implementing street safety upgrades on streets adjacent to more than 300 schools in 2026, including projects that will permanently improve Open Streets near schools on Beaumont Avenue in the Bronx and Avenue B in Manhattan.    

  

This month, NYC DOT will begin major bike and pedestrian improvements on Courtlandt Avenue, Park Avenue and Morris Avenue in the Bronx, benefitting more than 10 schools in the area. The project includes school-specific improvements, including a large sidewalk extension with asphalt art in front of P.S. 1 on East 153rd Street, as well as 3.7 miles of bike lanes and a protected bike lane loop around the NYCHA Andrew Jackson Houses.  

  

The agency is also advancing safety projects at schools across the city, including:

  

Coney Island Avenue from Turner Place to Hinckley Place, adjacent to P.S. 889

and M.S. 890.  

Beach Channel Drive from Beach 77th Street to Beach 88th Street and Beach

98th Street to Beach 108th Street, and Rockaway Beach Boulevard from Beach

109th Street to Beach 110th Street, in collaboration with adjacent schools. 

 

Elton Avenue from East 153rd Street to Third Avenue, adjacent to the Earl Monroe

New Renaissance Basketball Charter School.