Trick Or Streets Plans For 2025, New Plaza Ribbon Cutting LIC, Vision Zero Working To Reduce Traffic Deaths: NYC DOT

Trick Or Streets Plans For 2025, New Plaza Ribbon Cutting LIC, Vizion Zero Working To Reduce Traffic Deaths, Celebrating Biketober: NYC DOT

Editor’s note: Readers may remember the announcements surrounding Trick or Streets throughout the city last year, along with a new limited edition sign drop around the same time. 

NYC DOT ANNOUNCES PLANS FOR TRICK-OR-STREETS 2025, CUTS RIBBON AT NEW PLAZA IN LONG ISLAND CITY

Fourth Annual ‘Trick-or-Streets’ Event Will Feature a Record 137 Events and Counting, Planned in All Five Boroughs Throughout October

New Plaza Transforms 17,000 Square Feet of Roadway Into Bustling Community Hub With Seating, Programming, and One of New York City’s Largest Asphalt Murals

 

 

 

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced the city’s annual Halloween celebration, Trick-or-Streets, will return for a fourth year on Open Streets, pedestrian plazas, and other corridors throughout the city this October, with a record high 137 car-free events and counting planned through the month. NYC DOT announced the plans as it cut the ribbon on a new pedestrian plaza at LaGuardia Community College (LAGCC), bringing 17,390 square feet of new pedestrian space to Long Island City, Queens. In partnership with LAGCC, the 29^th Street Plaza, as part of the ‘LaGuardia Community Greenway’ initiative, between Skillman Avenue and 47th Avenue, has transformed an underutilized street into a vibrant, social, public space for students and community members to enjoy. Public plazas not only enhance safety, walkability, and access to public transit, they provide space for community, commerce, and culture through public programming. 29^th Street Plaza, along with more than 137 additional locations and counting, will host Halloween and harvest-themed events beginning on Friday, October 17 and continuing through Friday, October 31 for New Yorkers from all corners of the city.

“Throughout the month of October, NYC DOT’s fourth annual Trick-or-Streets program will bring seasonal events to plazas and Open Streets, just like 29^th Street Plaza, to bring joy, culture, and greater safety for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities to celebrate the Halloween season,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Building on years of successful Open Street activations in partnership with LaGuardia Community College, 29^th Street Plaza is a testament to what can be accomplished when we rethink how our streets can enrich our communities and make city life even better for all.”

“The street mural has transformed 29th street into a lively, welcoming space for the community to gather, socialize, and relax. We look forward to bringing diverse events and activities while creating new commerce and cultural programming opportunities for New Yorkers,” said Kenneth Adams, president of LaGuardia Community College. “We congratulate our Fine Arts student, Fernanda Contreras, whose mural design ‘Keep it Movin!!’ was selected as the winner of the community-wide contest. We are grateful to Council Member Julie Won and the NYC Department of Transportation for their support of the LaGuardia Community Greenway, and to the Long Island City Partnership for their steadfast advocacy.”

 

Trick-or-Streets 2025

Trick-or-Streets returns for a fourth season in 2025! NYC DOT partners with Open Streets, plazas, and other corridors in October and on Halloween to add pedestrian space during one of the busiest nights of the year. This year, Trick-or-Streets will be a two-week long festival featuring Halloween and harvest-themed events beginning on Friday, October 17, and continuing through Friday, October 31. NYC DOT will host car-free events for all ages and abilities across all five boroughs. Programming will include live music, fun activities, interactive performances, and more.

In addition to Trick-or-Streets, Día de Muertos is an annual event hosted by NYC DOT and the Mayor’s Office of Immigration Affairs (MOIA). As part of NYC DOT’s Open Streets program, this event is one of many taking place in the fall as part of the agency’s Trick-or-Streets celebration. NYC coordinates with local partners and other city agencies to make car-free spaces possible. Thanks to the NYC Street Activity Permit Office (SAPO), NYPD, and so many others.

 

A full list of Trick-or-Streets events is available online.

29^th Street Plaza

Pedestrian plazas not only enhance safety, walkability, and access to public transit, they provide space for community, commerce, and culture through public programming. Since the start of the Adams administration, NYC DOT has created a record amount of pedestrianized space—more than 1.5 million square feet – through the creation of new plazas, wider sidewalks, pedestrian islands, and more.

LAGCC’s ‘LaGuardia Community Greenway’ initiative on 29th Street began as an Open Street in 2022, when LAGCC began piloting the location as pop-up space for outdoor programming. Now, after three years of Open Streets, student events, programming events, activities, and community outreach, NYC DOT and LaGuardia Community College have transformed 29^th Street from Skillman Avenue to 47th Avenue into western Queen’s newest pedestrian plaza. Tables and chairs allow pedestrians to stop and rest; bike corrals provide spaces for students and community members to park bikes; and a new plaza provides more spaces for community programming and events.

The plaza features a block-long mural designed by Fernanda Contreras, a fine Arts student at LaGuardia Community College/CUNY. Contrera’s winning design features colorful walking signals, symbolizing New York’s walkability and the five subway lines—7, G, E, F, and R/N/W—that run through Long Island City. The asphalt mural, one of the largest currently on display in New York City, was painted through a collaborative effort from NYC DOT and LAGCC through NYC Art Partners with the help of volunteer members of the LAGCC student body and faculty.

The ribbon cutting for 29^th Street Plaza featured a musical performance by Honk Family Band and a dance performance by Ayazamana Ecuadorian Dance Group, part of the Ecuadorian American Cultural Center in Long Island City, presented in partnership with Queensboro Dance Festival.

The plaza is the latest Open Street NYC DOT has transformed with permanent bike and pedestrian-centered upgrades. The agency has also delivered permanent upgrades to Berry Street and Underhill Avenue in Brooklyn; 31^st Street, 34^th Avenue, and 39^th Avenue, in Queens; 103 Street and Broadway, in Manhattan; and Jennings Street, in the Bronx. More information about the Plaza Program is available online.

“There is nothing more important than the safety of our students, and that includes their safety in front of their school — not just inside out. I’m grateful to the DOT for its partnership in building this new pedestrian plaza outside LaGuardia Community College for the entire neighborhood, beyond just our students, to enjoy,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Perfect timing, as well, as we launch this year’s Trick-or-Streets initiative and ensure that there’s nothing tricky for families to worry about on our roads this Halloween.”

“When we dedicate more of our streets to people instead of cars, we make room for creativity and community,” said Assemblymember Claire Valdez. “The new 29th Street Plaza at LaGuardia Community College will transform an underused space into one where education, art, and our diverse experiences come together. It will reflect and celebrate the very best of our city.”

“The new 29th Street Plaza transforms an underused road into 17,390 square feet of vibrant public space for the LaGuardia Community,” said Councilmember Julie Won. “Students and community members will get to enjoy ‘Trick-or-Streets’ and Día de los Muertos, along with other year-long programming thanks to DOT, LaGuardia Community College, and advocates who tirelessly fought for this open space to be a reality.”

“The Long Island City Partnership is excited to celebrate the completion of the 29th Street Plaza. Our organization expanded the BID this year, adding supplemental services to better serve the diverse needs of stakeholders around LaGuardia Community College. 29th street is a crucial connector of Long Island City, and this vibrant mural, plaza and open street will bring a much more welcoming streetscape, encouraging students and visitors to explore the great businesses in the area,” said Laura Rothrock, president, Long Island City Partnership. “We look forward to continuing to work with LaGuardia Community College in making this neighborhood an exceptional place to learn, visit and work.”

“As a former LaGuardia student, longtime Queens resident, and chair of Community Board 2, I could not be prouder to see this new plaza at the heart of our neighborhood,” said Anatole Ashraf, Chair of Queens CB2. “LaGuardia has always been a gateway for immigrant families—just as over half of Queens’ residents were born abroad, the college embodies the promise of opportunity and community. This new space is not only a celebration of culture and connection, but also a real investment in safer streets and walkability for everyone who lives, learns, and works here.”

“Queensboro Dance Festival is thrilled to be a public programming partner. It is exciting and also critical to see new open spaces in our home neighborhood that reflect our community,” said Karesia Batan, Founding Executive Director Queensboro Dance Festival. “We are proud to celebrate 29th Street Plaza with local dance and music!”

 

“We’re excited to partner again with NYC DOT to transform plazas and corridors into festive Halloween hubs for a second year, said Jessica Chornesky, executive director of NYC Kidsfest. “With pumpkin patches, music, arts & crafts, and spooky surprises, these events offer fun for all ages and abilities in a safe, inclusive space.”

 

“Halloween is a special day when New York City kids should feel excited, happy, and safe on the street, out with friends, family, and neighbors. And Open Streets are a beautiful way to bring that vision to life in a busy city. Street Lab will be out on the Franklin Avenue Open Street in Brooklyn this Halloween season, and also supporting other Trick-or-Streets events during October,” said Leslie Davol, co-founder/executive director of Street Lab. “We’re excited to be partnering with community groups and NYC DOT to celebrate Halloween and support new Open Streets in neighborhoods across the city.”

“The C.O.R.E Family Enrichment Center, is ecstatic for being selected as the signature block for the Trick-or-Street celebration, after completing our first successful summer Open Street on Manor Ave, said Norma Saunders, program director for The C.O.R.E Family Enrichment Center. “It’s all about community, creativity, and celebrating the magic of coming together, one street at a time.”

“We’re thrilled to bring our community vibrant programming that celebrates the transformation of New York’s public realm. Thanks to the Department of Transportation’s bold vision for Open Streets and pedestrian plazas, we are reimagining how our city moves, gathers, and celebrates together, said William Jourdain, executive director of Woodside on the Move. “Truly, we’re finally catching up to the rest of the world! Initiatives like ‘Trick or Streets’ are more than just events, they’re moments that showcase how joyful, safe, and inviting our shared spaces can be. Public Hive has been an incredible partner in making this celebration not only possible but truly welcoming and fun for all.”

“Orisha Wholeness, a nonprofit who has been providing free fitness and wellness programming to the community, is honored to be selected as a partner in this year’s NYC DOT Bronx Signature Trick-or-Streets event! We’ve proudly partnered with NYC DOT for many years, to bring programming that is inclusive, fun, and designed to get people up and moving,” said Shelly Wilson, vice president, Board Chair, & treasurer for Orisha Wholeness Corp. “This Halloween, alongside our partner The C.O.R.E, we’re transforming the space into a safe, welcoming haven where all ages can dance, play games, and even pick up a new skill or two.”

“The first season of Franklin Avenue Open Streets has been an incredible success, creating a welcoming and vibrant space for our Crown Heights community. This achievement would not have been possible without the dedicated partnership and support of the NYC Department of Transportation, the 77th Police Precinct, and our local community members. We are proud to join DOT’s Trick-or-Streets initiative this year, which builds on that success by transforming our streets into safe, engaging, and inclusive public spaces for all ages,” said Gregory Anderson, president & CEO of Bridge Street Development Corporation. “Together with the Franklin Avenue Merchants Association, we look forward to celebrating with our neighbors and ensuring this program continues to grow even bigger and better in the years ahead.”

“The Trick-or-Streets program is a great example of the ways that we all rely on our neighborhood leaders to make our lives more connected, resilient and fun,” said Michael Hickey, chief of strategy and operations at Citizens NYC. “CitizensNYC has been supporting leaders like these for 50 years, and we’re proud to partner with the New York City Department of Transportation to make this year’s program even more special.”

“Bringing NYC DOT’s citywide festival, ‘Trick-or-Streets,’ to Harlem Lane: Saint Nicholas Avenue Open Streets is more than a celebration; it affirms our community’s heritage and vitality, said Gregory C. Baggett, thought leader at Harlem Lane: Saint Nicholas Avenue Open Streets. “In partnership with Broadway for Arts Education, we are transforming our neighborhood streets into stages where safety, joy, and artistic expression come together. With guidance from professional arts educators, families will immerse themselves in creativity, joy, and discovery, creating memories that last long after the festivities have ended. This signature event isn’t just about reclaiming streets; it’s about reconnecting people and reimagining what’s possible in the public realm.”

“Broadway for Arts Education is thrilled to be returning for our fourth Trick-or-Streets Open Streets Activation with the Department of Transportation. We are excited to be extending the magic of Broadway beyond the theater district and into the streets and communities of central Harlem,” said Benjamin Houghton, Cofounder/Executive Director of Broadway for Arts Education. “Whether or not you love live entertainment, carnival games, arts and crafts, candy, or spooky thrills, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!”

“We’re excited to bring Harvest with The Hort to Trick-or-Streets for the fourth year in a row, continuing our collaboration with DOT on this much-loved event. Trick-or-Streets is a hallmark of fall in New York, offering families a safe, joyful, and community-centered way to celebrate Halloween,” said Sara Hobel, executive director, The Hort. “This year, Harvest with The Hort returns to multiple Open Street locations with festive spooky, fall-themed signature activities, including a pumpkin patch and hay bale photo booths, a free pumpkin giveaway with decorating, and plant-themed stations with seasonal stickers and tattoos—all designed for community members of all ages! Thank you to Commissioner Rodriguez, the DOT team, and all community partners for their continued dedication to connecting New Yorkers through public space. We look forward to another memorable Trick-or-Streets!”

“Trick or Streets transforms city blocks into spaces of joy, imagination, and community spirit. At Hive Public Space, we believe our streets should be playful, welcoming, and accessible for everyone—and this event is a perfect way to celebrate safely, creatively, and of course, with a little Halloween magic,” said Alexandra Gonzalez, founding principal, Hive Public Space.

VISION ZERO: TRAFFIC DEATHS CONTINUED TO DECLINE IN THIRD QUARTER AMIDST ONE OF THE SAFEST YEARS IN NEW YORK CITY HISTORY

Traffic Fatalities Continued Downward Trend In Third Quarter of 2025, With 18 Percent Decline From Same Period Last Year

NYC DOT Releases New Data Showing Sharp Declines in Injuries Following Transformative Street Redesigns in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced traffic deaths reached near-record lows through the first three quarters of 2025, with traffic fatalities down 18 percent compared to the first nine months of last year. NYC DOT data released today highlighted that positive 2025 safety trends continued through the third quarter with across-the-board declines in traffic deaths involving pedestrians as well as riders or occupants of traditional bikes, e-bikes, stand-up scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, cars, and SUVs. There have been 159 traffic fatalities through 2025, which is down 18 percent from the 194 traffic deaths recorded at this point in 2024 and the third fewest number of fatalities ever recorded in the first nine months of a year.

NYC DOT has detailed work with its Vision Zero agencies on a variety of initiatives to reduce traffic fatalities, including transformative street safety projects, the creation of a record amount of protected bike infrastructure, newly pedestrianized street space, and a variety of educational and targeted enforcement efforts.

NYC DOT cited the following highlights:

• An 18 percent decrease in the overall number of traffic fatalities, the third-fewest traffic fatalities ever recorded three-quarters through a year.
• Leading the decline is the drop in deaths among drivers and occupants of motor vehicles – at 25, there was a 37.5 percent decline from 40 deaths in 2024.
• The city continues to see declines in deaths among e-bike, motorcycle and other riders of motorized two wheeled vehicles. Among this group of motorized two-wheelers, there were 51 deaths through the nine months of the year, a decline of 15 percent from 60 fatalities in 2024.
• So far in 2025, three cyclists riding a traditional non-electric bicycle have been killed, a record low. (While small, those fatalities numbered 5 in the first three-quarters of 2024 and 7 in 2023 – and were as high as 18 fatalities in the first nine months of 2019).
• Pedestrian fatalities have also declined 10 percent from 2024 – from 89 to 80 deaths.

Vision Zero is a data-driven program, putting forth solutions based on research demonstrating their effectiveness. NYC DOT today shared several data-driven street safety projects that have yielded incredible safety results, contributing to safer streets and the data we see today:

Schermerhorn Street protected two-way bike lane: In 2022, NYC DOT completed a redesign of Schermerhorn street in Downtown Brooklyn, from Clinton Street to Flatbush Avenue. The project converted a two-way street with traditional bike lanes into a one-way street with a parking-protected two-way bike lane. The redesign has led to a reduction in injuries for pedestrians by 31 percent, motor vehicle occupants by 16 percent—all while cycling volumes increased by nearly 30 percent.

White Plains Road Protected Bike Lanes and Road Diet: In 2022, NYC DOT added parking protected bike lanes and bus boarding islands to White Plains Road, from East 214 Street to East 226 Street – in the Williamsbridge section of the Bronx. The project represented the first protected bike lanes with bus boarding islands installed under an elevated subway line and delivered a 41 percent decrease in motor vehicle occupant injuries and total crash injuries by 10 percent.

Queens Boulevard Protected Bike Lanes, Pedestrian, and Slip Lane Improvements:  In 2021, NYC DOT completed the fourth phase of its Queens Boulevard transformation, between Yellowstone Boulevard and Union Turnpike in Forest Hills. The project added protected bike lanes, new pedestrian paths, and redesigned slip lanes, reducing pedestrian injuries by 45 percent and total crash injuries by 20 percent.

 

BIKETOBER: NYC DOT EXPANDS WESTERN QUEENS BIKE NETWORK WITH NEW BIKE LANES BETTER CONNECTING NEW YORKERS TO BROOKLYN, QUEENS WATERFRONT 

NYC DOT Completes New Bike Lanes on Review Avenue, Van Dam Street, and Starr Avenue

 

Lanes Better Connect Queens Residents to Brooklyn and Their Waterfront While Improving Safety for Everyone Using the Corridors

NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez kicked off October, known as Biketober, on Wednesday announcing the agency completed 1.9 new bike lane miles and comprehensive safety upgrades on Review and Starr avenues in Blissville, Queens. The lanes connect to an expanding Queens greenway network and connect residents to Brooklyn, directly linking to the Greenpoint Avenue and Kosciuszko bridges, as well as the Western Queens waterfront and Hunters Point Ferry. The project represents just the latest effort to expand the bike network in western Queens, with the agency planning to return next year to continue the project west, with a new protected bike lane on Borden Avenue connecting to the Queens Waterfront Greenway.  

 

“We are building an extensive bike network in western Queens, and it’s delivered results with more and more New Yorkers opting to commute by bike. When we build safe infrastructure that feels welcoming, we attract more cycling,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are thrilled to fill this critical gap in the western Queens bike network—part of this administration’s efforts to install a record amount of new protected bike infrastructure—and look forward returning next year to build on this great work.” 

 

Protected bike lanes like those installed in Blissville have shown to improve safety for everyone on the road—not just cyclists. Protected bike lanes reduce all traffic deaths and serious injuries by 18.1 percent, and pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 29.2 percent. The streets targeted for these upgrades have experienced 178 injuries, including 10 severe injuries and five fatalities, between 2019 and 2023. In 2019, two cyclists were killed in separate crashes on Borden Avenue. 

 

Biketober is an annual celebration of cycling and sustainable transportation, hosted during October when there is ideal weather for cycling and when ridership in New York City is generally at its highest levels. NYC DOT will host events across the city through the month, where it will be distributing bike lights or helmets, or hosting safety education classes. For a list of events, visit NYC DOT’s bike events webpage.  

 

Blissville Bike Network 

 

To build out a Blissville bike network, NYC DOT has proposed a network of painted and protected lanes along critical cycling corridors in the area: Review Avenue and Laurel Hill Boulevard, Borden Avenue, Van Dam Street, Greenpoint Avenue, and Starr Avenue.  

 

This year, NYC DOT has substantially completed the addition of a two-way parking protected bike lane on Revenue Avenue and Laurel Hill Boulevard, from Greenpoint Avenue and 56th Road; upgraded the standard bike lane on Van Dam Street, from Starr Avenue to Greenpoint Avenue, to a protected lane; and added a standard bike lane on Review Avenue from Greenpoint Avenue to Borden Avenue.  

 

In 2026, NYC DOT plans to return to add bike infrastructure to Borden Avenue. The network lays the foundation for a future greenway segment through the area. 

 

Expanding Western Queens’ Bike Network  

 

Since the start of Vision Zero in 2014, NYC DOT has built 69 miles of bike lanes, including 29 miles of protected bike lanes, in the area of western Queens including Astoria, Long Island City, Sunnyside, and Blissville to better connect residents to their waterfronts, neighboring boroughs of Manhattan and Brooklyn, and important local destinations. These projects include the 31st Avenue Bike Boulevard, as well as protected bike lanes on 11th Street, 44th Drive, Queens Blvd, and Jackson Avenue. 

 

These projects are part of the Adams administration’s record-setting implementation of protected bike lanes, building 87.5 miles of protected bike lanes in the first three years of the administration. In addition to the record growth of the protected lane network; the Adams administration has launched the planning process for a historic, citywide greenway expansion; developed new, wider bike lane designs to better accommodate legal micromobility options; and installed new barriers at more than 20 miles of existing bike lanes across the city.  

 

“These new bike lanes will make our streets safer and give families in western Queens better ways to get to work, school, or wherever they may be going. I’m glad to see this investment in Blissville and will keep pushing for safe, sustainable transportation in every neighborhood,” said Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez.

“Between 2019 and 2023, we saw 178 traffic related injuries in Blissville. The opening of the completed bike lane in Blissville will connect Review Ave and Starr Ave to the rest of the western Queens bike lane and will also save lives,” said Councilmember Julie Won. “Protected bike lanes ensure that children, seniors, and others can move through our streets without fear of injury or death.” 

 

“We are grateful to Community Board 2 of Queens for providing us a platform to shape this community-driven initiative and to everyone at NYC DOT for their unwavering dedication to bringing transformative street safety to the Blissville section of Long Island City,” said Tom Mituzas, secretary of the Blissville Civic Association. “The Blissville Greenway stands as a beacon of protection for bicyclists, motorists, walkers, and joggers alike, while also safeguarding over 100 newly planted trees, courtesy of NYC Parks. In essence, this project has ushered in a new era of safety for all roadway users. On behalf of the Blissville Civic Association and every individual who calls Blissville home, we extend our deepest gratitude. Thank you.”    

 

“The NYC Greenways Coalition is enthusiastic for Biketober and the focus on cycling and greenways citywide,” said Hunter Armstrong, co-chair of NYC Greenways Coalition. “What better place to kick off this month than Queens and to celebrate the new ‘Greater Greenways’ report and greenway planning citywide – including the Queens waterfront and other projects that will connect communities across New York more safely.”

 

“We’re excited about the new bike lanes and safety upgrades in Blissville,” said Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives. “These aren’t just one-off bike lanes, but part of a wider network ensuring bike riders can travel safely to where they need to go. This is a step in the right direction, and we hope to see many more bike lanes installed throughout Western Queens, particularly in Woodside and Sunnyside.”

 

Banner Image: 29th Street Plaza features one of New York City’s largest asphalt murals currently on display. Image Credit – NYC DOT