New York City's transportation commissioner is on a mission to make the Big Apple a transportation hub rivaling those in Paris, Tokyo, and Bogotá. Mike Flynn, the new head of the Department of Transportation (DOT), has been tasked by Mayor Zohran Mamdani to revolutionize the city's streetscape, prioritizing sustainability, pedestrian-friendly spaces, and efficient public transit.
Flynn is looking at cities that have successfully implemented innovative transportation solutions as a model for New York. Bogotá, for instance, has expanded its rapid bus network and bike lanes, earning it international recognition in recent years. In contrast, the city's streets are often congested, with limited pedestrian space.
Tokyo, on the other hand, boasts an efficient subway system that sets a high standard for public transit. The city's sprawling pedestrian plazas discourage driving, making it easier to navigate the city without a car. Paris, meanwhile, has prioritized banning cars from the city center and expanding pedestrian spaces. Last year, Parisian voters passed a referendum to close 500 streets to traffic and remove 10% of parking spaces.
These cities also share one key trait: cyclists represent more than 10% of all commuters in each, while in New York City, only about 2% of people commute by bike. Flynn sees this as an opportunity to promote cycling and create a safer environment for riders.
Mamdani has already directed Flynn to move forward with the full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, which was blocked by the Adams administration due to lack of support from City Hall. The new commissioner is confident that he can implement Mamdani's vision without compromising on safety or bureaucratic procedures.
Flynn's approach marks a departure from his predecessor, Eric Adams, who claimed New York had "the best transportation system in the world," despite evidence to the contrary. Under Adams' tenure, the DOT struggled to meet City Council mandates for bus and bike lanes, and aggressive street redesigns were repeatedly blocked by city officials.
With Flynn at the helm, the DOT is poised to make a significant impact on the city's streetscape. As he puts it, "Let's look at the data, let's work with our stakeholders, let's find the best solution, and then let's move forward with urgency because safety shouldn't wait." Only time will tell if Flynn's vision for New York City will become a reality.
Flynn is looking at cities that have successfully implemented innovative transportation solutions as a model for New York. Bogotá, for instance, has expanded its rapid bus network and bike lanes, earning it international recognition in recent years. In contrast, the city's streets are often congested, with limited pedestrian space.
Tokyo, on the other hand, boasts an efficient subway system that sets a high standard for public transit. The city's sprawling pedestrian plazas discourage driving, making it easier to navigate the city without a car. Paris, meanwhile, has prioritized banning cars from the city center and expanding pedestrian spaces. Last year, Parisian voters passed a referendum to close 500 streets to traffic and remove 10% of parking spaces.
These cities also share one key trait: cyclists represent more than 10% of all commuters in each, while in New York City, only about 2% of people commute by bike. Flynn sees this as an opportunity to promote cycling and create a safer environment for riders.
Mamdani has already directed Flynn to move forward with the full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard, which was blocked by the Adams administration due to lack of support from City Hall. The new commissioner is confident that he can implement Mamdani's vision without compromising on safety or bureaucratic procedures.
Flynn's approach marks a departure from his predecessor, Eric Adams, who claimed New York had "the best transportation system in the world," despite evidence to the contrary. Under Adams' tenure, the DOT struggled to meet City Council mandates for bus and bike lanes, and aggressive street redesigns were repeatedly blocked by city officials.
With Flynn at the helm, the DOT is poised to make a significant impact on the city's streetscape. As he puts it, "Let's look at the data, let's work with our stakeholders, let's find the best solution, and then let's move forward with urgency because safety shouldn't wait." Only time will tell if Flynn's vision for New York City will become a reality.
finally someone taking transport seriously in nyc 
the bike lane situation is insane here, like what's the point of having 2% cycling commuters when there are so many bike lanes?! 
priorities, pls!
! Like, I get it, sustainability is key and all that jazz, but can't we just have some decent parking spots left over? I swear, every time I try to grab a spot on the Upper East Side, there's like, 5 guys trying to ride their bikes out of nowhere 
I think it's great that Mike Flynn is bringing some fresh air to the DOT. We need more bike lanes in this city, especially in Manhattan! 
2% of people commuting by bike is crazy low. What's holding us back from having a city where cycling is just as common as driving? We can learn so much from cities like Bogotá and Tokyo. Paris too... their approach to pedestrian-friendly spaces is a nice touch 
. Can't wait to see how Flynn's vision unfolds! 
I mean, who's with me on getting more bike lanes and making our streets safer for all riders? Flynn seems like a breath of fresh air compared to his predecessor Eric Adams, who was like "my transportation system is the best"... yeah nope 
let's just see what happens with this new guy at the helm!
it's like 50% of daily commutes are spent stuck in traffic! 
u gotta wonder how much money is wasted on parking spaces when there r bike lanes just chillin' everywhere 
. btw, Tokyo's subway system is still the gold standard 
and Paris has been making waves with those pedestrian-friendly streets 
. so yeah, i'm all for Flynn's plan to turn NYC into a cycling hub 
. did u know that bike lanes in NYC have seen a 25% increase in cyclists since 2019? 
and the city's got a goal to have 50% of commuters using sustainable modes by 2030 
. only time'll tell if Flynn can make it happen 
I'm curious to see how he'll balance the need for efficient public transit with the desire to create more pedestrian-friendly spaces... will we start seeing more traffic-reducing measures in the future? 
. And what's with all the bike lanes? Can't people just use cars like normal anymore? 
. It's not that hard to design roads with safety and efficiency in mind, you know? Can't we just focus on fixing the potholes instead of getting all fancy 
.
. This is just another case of city officials making promises they can't keep, and then expecting us to blindly trust them 
.
I mean, have you tried it? They have the best black bean burgers... anyway, back to this transportation thingy. So yeah, I think it's cool that they're looking at other cities for inspiration, like Bogotá and Tokyo. Those cities are so efficient! But, have you ever noticed how NYC always seems to be behind on bike lanes? Like, what took them so long to get it together? 
. And what's with the bike lane obsession? Can't we have a little balance between cycling and driving for once? 
. and btw, who's with me on saying that Paris is already a transportation hub GOAT? they're killing the game w/ pedestrian spaces & bike-friendly streets 
. let's hope Flynn brings some of that magic 2 NYC!
he talks about prioritizing sustainability and pedestrian-friendly spaces but what about the cost? we need to think about how affordable this new transportation hub is going to be for everyone, not just the wealthy neighborhoods. also i'm curious to see if they'll actually increase bike lanes instead of just tacking on some token ones 
. Flynn's got the right idea by looking to other cities for inspiration, but he's gonna need more than just ideas to make it happen 
. Flynn's approach might just bring some much-needed change to those congested streets. Let's hope he keeps his promise of moving forward with urgency and prioritizing safety! 
Mike Flynn is literally a genius 
he needs to get those bike lanes up to 20% ASAP 
I mean Tokyo's got it on lock 
Paris is a close second 
but New York needs to step it up 
️ I'm so ready for some sustainable transportation solutions that actually work 
let's get this DOT moving and make NYC a hub for innovation 