Car-free parks, with a jolt

MAYOR DE BLASIO is banishing cars from most of Central Park and Prospect Park, but says the antique electric cars he favors to replace horse-drawn carriages are just fine.

“They are very different things,” de Blasio (right) said, explaining the new ban would not apply to the tourist-toting buggies that would amble around Central Park if horse carriages are banned.

“What we’re talking about with vehicular traffic is a much higher rate of speed, and obviously we have a lot more of them currently,” he said. “What we aspire to do is to create a small, modest industry with the replica electric cars or some other good alternative that will achieve, for tourists, the same kind of things that the horse carriages do today. ”

The mayor announced Thursday at Prospect Park that starting July 6, West Drive will be closed to cars 24 hours a day.

It’s currently open for two hours during evening rush hour. And starting June 29, Central Park north of 72nd St. will be permanently closed to cars.

Prospect Park’s East Drive, which allows cars from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. on weekdays, will remain unchanged. Drives in the southern part of Central Park will also stay open at certain times on weekdays.

“We are taking a big step to returning our parks to the people,” de

Blasio said.