Seeing New Yorkers speed down the sidewalks at the speed of light is literally nothing new; it’s an art we’ve perfected. And we’d go as far as to say we haven’t even reached our full potential–that’s if those damn tourists weren’t getting in our way! But imagine a world where you’re not getting stuck behind a slow-walking tourist? Well, that will soon become a reality…
NYC officials have announced that they’ll soon be designating “locals only” sidewalks on certain streets throughout the city, prohibiting tourists from walking down them. The sidewalks will be clearly labeled with signs and are set to begin appearing as early as this summer. And considering 2025 is expected to be the busiest tourist year yet for NYC, this couldn’t happen soon enough if you ask us.
The walking speed in cities averages 3.1 mph according to urban planners, but in NYC it reaches much closer to 4.5 mph, a rate that most tourists can’t keep up with. Thus, the locals only sidewalks are an attempt to prevent tourist-induced traffic jams and help New Yorkers reach their destination in a true New York minute.
Tourists who ignore the signs will be subject to a $25 fine, and repeat offenders will be required to spend the rest of their vacation with a chaperone when traveling via foot.
Locals only sidewalks will be introduced in phases, with officials eyeing streets in NYC’s most tourist-heavy areas–such as in Midtown, the Financial District, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, and SoHo–to start out with.
In total, 3,000 miles worth of NYC sidewalks will eventually be designated locals only. To put that into perspective, there are more than 12,750 miles of sidewalks in NYC, according to the New York Department of Transportation.
APRIL FOOLS!
Yeah, actually we made all of this up. But we’re sure we’re not the only ones who wish it was real…