Ever since his congestion-pricing plan died in Albany, Mayor Bloomberg has been looking for ways to take back the streets for bikers, strollers, and middle-of-the-street yoga stretchers. His anti-car crusade continues over the next three Saturdays (August 9, 16, and 23), when seven miles of asphalt between the Brooklyn Bridge and 72nd Street will be closed to traffic from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. (maps are at nyc.gov/summerstreets). The route passes right by BLT Supplies (77 Mulberry St., nr. Bayard St.; 212-732-8388), where you can pick up these lightweight Feiyue sneakers for $16 and break them in on your way uptown. For more reasons to walk the route, click ahead.
1. Kiel Mead’s pretzel-like money clip won’t weigh down your pockets. $70 at In God We Trust.
2. A throw pillow from Calypso Home shouldn’t slow your pace ($180).
3. Bicycle Habitat is well placed for any mid-journey chain or tire malfunctions. Test-ride a Trek Soho S while you’re there ($550).
4. Chalk child portraits by street artist Charlie Churchill outshine the usual photo (Art Student Showcase, $275; 248 Lafayette St., nr. Spring St.; 212-941-9471).
5. A vintage Roberta di Camerino tote is worth a few more dollars ($375 at Amarcord).
6. Instructors from Aikido Kokikai NYC are teaching a free martial-arts class (8:30 to 9 a.m.) at one of three entertainment stages along the route (Cleveland Pl. nr. Kenmare St.).
7. The corner of Cleveland Place and Spring Street is kid central. A scooter race commences at 10 a.m. (BYO scooters and cameras.) An hour later: Hacky Sacking 101.
8. Revive with a cold, sweet agua de horchata ($3 at La Esquina).
9. It holds the essentials: money, I.D., phone, keys (Comme des Garçons wallet, $235 at Odin).
Map by Koji Toyama.
Photographs: Courtesy of Bicycle Habitat (bike); iStockPhoto (karate); Arthur Baensch/veer (hacky sack).