2 City Council Members Introduce Bill To Ban Cars In Central Park
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A new bill being introduced before the City Council would ban all automobiles from the roads inside Central Park.
The bill was introduced Wednesday by Manhattan City Council members Helen Rosenthal (D-6th) and Mark Levine (D-7th.)
If approved, the ban would begin on a test-case basis for three months, from June 45 to Sept. 25, 2015. Experts would study the impact on traffic in the area.
The three-month test could then lead to a permanent ban.
"I think that the traffic through Central Park is actually good," Tony told 1010 WINS's Holli Haerr.
Others disagreed.
"I think in general it's a good idea to keep the park more peaceful," Simon said.
Levine and Rosenthal said the bill makes sense due to an increasing number of bicyclists and joggers along the drives.
As WCBS 880's Rich Lamb reported, Levine acknowledges the bill would not ban horse-drawn carriages or bicycles.
"I strongly believe this will show, there won't be any kind of traffic apocalypse, things will be fine, so then we can make the case to ban cars year-round in Central Park," Levine said.
The ban would not apply to the four cross-town transverse roads at 65th, 79th, 86th, and 97th streets, which are largely set off from the park by barriers.
A vote on the measure has not yet been scheduled.
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