Sadik-Khan and Special Guest Invite You to Summer Streets

Janette Sadik-Khan: [0:03] -Khan: Maybe, just maybe we've got a visit from a special guest this morning as we invite New Yorkers to join us for the first day of Summer Streets this year. [0:13] For the second year, starting this Saturday, and for the following two Saturdays, we will have seven miles of city streets, from the Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park. And they'll be open for hundreds of New Yorkers to participate in with hundreds of activities along the way.

[0:30] The idea behind Summer Streets is really quite simple. We're trying to create an appealing public space for people to enjoy. And what we've seen is New Yorkers do the rest. And they did that last year. Over 50,000 people each weekend came out on Saturdays, turning the pavement into a seven mile long playground.

[0:50] They stopped along the way to take a samba class, or a kickboxing class, or a cha-cha class. Or simply to take in a familiar landscape from a new angle.

[1:00] So, I had heard that we had a special guest. Oh, my goodness. Wow, it's here. Ladies and gentlemen, it's true. It is Zozo. Zozo, welcome!

[1:15] Perhaps Zozo, I don't know if you came out for pedestrian plazas or for Summer Streets. Would you like to say a few words?

Zozo: [1:24] Sure, I'd like to talk about Summer Streets. You know commissioner, I like to come out when the streets are safe. I also find that's when families like to come out in the streets. But now there's all these new places in the city that have been set aside where I can feel safe and come out and play. [1:39] There's places all over the city. There's the new plaza in Times Square, for example. There's places in the boroughs, too.

I'm really excited about Summer Streets. It's the best for thousands of people in car free zones, where people can walk and play and have fun. Those are the kind of places my friends [inaudible 02: [1:47] 00] places where it's safe. People can have fun in car free zones.

[2:08] So, I hope everybody comes out to Summer Streets, and I'll look forward to seeing you there.

Janette Sadik-Khan: [2:14] Thank you. [2:15] So, I urge all of you to come out and come to Summer Streets this Saturday. seven a.m. to one p.m. Maybe you too will get to see Zozo. But, come out and bike, and Rollerblade, and play, and enjoy our streets in a whole new way.

[2:28] You can find out about the program activities at www.NYC.gov/SummerStreets. Thank you.

Zozo: [2:40] Thank you. Bye!