NYC Bans Souvenir Vendors from Brooklyn Bridge Starting This Week

New York City has implemented a ban on all vending, including licensed and unlicensed souvenir stalls, on the Brooklyn Bridge and its 789 other bridges to alleviate congestion. The ban, effective from January 3, 2024, follows the removal of bicycle traffic from the pedestrian walkway, which had previously allowed space for vendors to operate. The decision has been met with mixed reactions from tourists and vendors alike, with concerns about the impact on the livelihoods of those who rely on selling souvenirs, many of whom are undocumented and unable to obtain licenses to sell elsewhere.