New York's Mayor Bloomberg set forth the terms of an experimental project  yesterday, setting aside three Saturday mornings during the summer months where he plans to close several streets to cars. Bloomberg argues that the move is a test to see if more extensive discouragement of cars in favor of walking or biking is possible.

Though the indominatable Mayor faced grumbling from business owners, he and his transportation agency head were enthusiastic about the program, which they say will encourage alternative forms of transportation. He predicted that the closed streets will encourage foot traffic and benefit businesses. He foresaw an open-air plaza situation, where exercise classes, bike rentals and community events could be held on the closed streets.

New York has been adventurous with transportation and climate policy, in the past, previously trying green cabs with great success and congestion pricing, which was less popular but still a reasonable idea. Mayor Bloomberg feels that New York is innovative, iconic and can lead other cities with innovative policy.