Lower Speed Limit for Central Park

New safety measures are are coming to Central Park, the city announced Tuesday. 

The speed limit for drivers and bikers is now 20 mph, reduced from 25 mph. An even lower "advisory" speed of 10 mph will be posted at four key crossings — West Drive at Delacorte Theater (near W. 81st Street), West Drive at Sheep Meadow (near W. 68th Street), West Drive at Heckscher Ballfields Crossing (near E. 63rd Street) and East Drive at Terrace Drive (near E. 72nd Street). There will also be prominent "Pedestrian Crossing" warning signs at intersections and advance pedestrian crossing signs before each intersection.

(NYC DOT, NYC PARKS DEPARTMENT, NYPD, AND CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY )

To further advance pedestrian safety, the city will repaint roadway markings, refurbish crosswalks and add clearer lane-use markings. On particularly wide roads in Central Park, barricades will be installed to shorten the distance pedestrians must cross. To better guide pedestrians to the crosswalk and to improve the sightlines of cyclists, a barricade will be placed between the pedestrian and bike lane at the Delacorte Theater, near W. 81st Street. 

(NYC DOT, NYC PARKS DEPARTMENT, NYPD, AND CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY )

“Public safety is our highest priority and the new safety enhancement measures being implemented in Central Park will surely provide its millions of visitors with a safer experience,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver. 

(NYC DOT, NYC PARKS DEPARTMENT, NYPD, AND CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY)

The changes in Central Park comes after two pedestrians were killed by cyclists over the summer. The incidents sparked a debate over traffic safety in the park.

(NYC DOT, NYC PARKS DEPARTMENT, NYPD, AND CENTRAL PARK CONSERVANCY)