It will surprise exactly zero New Yorkers to know that the city doesn’t have enough public bathrooms. New York has among the lowest number of toilets per capita in public parks of all major U.S. cities, with just 16 “comfort stations” for every 100,000 residents. Our notorious restroom shortage significantly affects the city’s local economy, livability and public health. But we believe that with the proper incentives, businesses can contribute significantly toward solving this public health crisis.
The Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation recently surveyed consumers nationwide and in New York City and found that 54% of New Yorkers don’t think there are enough public restrooms in their neighborhood or town, compared with 36% nationwide. Fourteen percent of New Yorkers report having had a urinary or bowel accident within the previous 12 months—nearly double the already shocking national figure of 8%. Importantly, the vast majority (83%) of city respondents who had bowel accidents also reported that they could have avoided their embarrassing accident if there had been a public restroom nearby.