No traffic?  No problem for the thousands who turn out every year for the city's Summer Streets program, which opens up usually busy roads for miles in Manhattan for walkers, runners, bike riders, and inline skaters—and features plenty of fun along the way. NY1's Matt McClure filed this report.

New Yorkers looking for a thrill didn't have to travel far on Saturday as the city Department of Transportation's eighth annual Summer Streets got underway.

Seven miles of Manhattan roads were closed off to traffic to make way for outdoor activities for the whole family.

"We want it to be even for your dogs, for the cyclists, for the runners, for everyone. For us!" said the DOT's Angelina Martinez-Rubio.

The centerpiece of this year's festival is this 270-foot water slide in Foley Square.

Hundreds of brave people took the plunge on Saturday.

"I don't guess it's for the faint of heart, but it's pretty tall. It's sort of a thrill ride, which you don't see in the city every day," said Upper East Side resident Bryan Graves.

Diana Zorek says she got some fashionable new goggles just for the occasion.

    NY1: "How long have you been looking forward to it?"

    Zorek: "Um, about a week or so.  My dad told be about a week ago."

    NY1: "Nice.  But you're not scared one bit, right?"

    Zorek: "No!"

Even DOT Commissioner, Polly Trottenberg, braved the slide.

Also among the activities was freestyle soccer lessons.

"There are no rules... You can use your hands, your dance moves, your backflips, handsprings, whatever.  All you need is a ball," said instructor Frank Gonzalez.

Participants also got to test their bravery on a zip line.

It's not just about a water slide or zip lining, though. The theme this year of Summer Streets is all about accessibility, and now I'm getting a chance to ride a bicycle made for people with disabilities that you actually operate by using your hands.

"Summer Streets is for all modes of transportation, whether you walk, roll, or you're just here for play, you're welcome to be here," said accessibility policy analyst Quemuel Arroyo.

It comes on the heels of the city's first-ever Disability Pride day, and the 25th Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act.

Summer Streets continues for the next two Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Of course, the road closures mean possible traffic headaches for drivers. Trottenberg has some simple advice.

"I advise drivers: don't come into Manhattan until after 1 p.m. That's the simplest thing," she said.

For more information, go to nyc.gov/summerstreets.