Proposal to Prohibit Sales on Brooklyn Bridge and Other NYC Bridges: Impact on Vendors and Community

As the day goes by, more and more people arrive at the Brooklyn Bridge and the number of vendors also multiplies.

“It doesn’t look good, but one also has to think about the needs of the people who need to survive in this big city,” said Adela Monroy.

Precisely due to the number of tourists and residents who visit the city’s bridges, the Department of Transportation, in consultation with the NYPD and the Department of Health, released a proposal that seeks to prohibit all types of sales on the trails for pedestrians and cyclists.

The ban would even be for vendors with permits and extends to all bridges in the five boroughs.

The authority explains that in recent years the number of people crossing, particularly, the Brooklyn Bridge, a New York landmark that connects with Manhattan in its 1.1 miles, has increased.

Pedestrians, cyclists and vendors converge there, mostly immigrants as well as war veterans.

Praise. Veteran.

Veteran salesman José Loor, from Ecuador, shares that he served in the navy and was granted permission to sell by the city.

“I’m here with a legal permit and for me, I just want to exist and I don’t want them to close the bridge for us veteran sellers primarily,” Loor said.

He also explains that at least 17 of those who work offering their products on the bridge are war veterans who have few job opportunities.

And there are many who sell without a license.

“I am part of the city, so by trying to tear me away from the bridge they are tearing away a piece of what progress is, of what New York City is,” Loor added.

The DOT reports that the width of the overpass is about 16 feet, but in many areas it is reduced to 5 feet wide and therefore questions whether people can move freely on any given day or evacuate safely in the event of an emergency.

This is just a proposal, there will be a public hearing on November 15 in which anyone can participate as long as they register in advance. All the information is on the website rules.cityofnewyork.us.

2023-10-11 19:23:00
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