New York’s subway authorities are cracking down on “man-spreaders’’ — those men who take up extra seats on the train — but the MBTA hasn’t seen increasing complaints about the issue.

New York’s MTA announced it will launch an awareness campaign in January to encourage man-spreaders and backpack-wearers to take up less space, amNY reported on Tuesday. The new ad campaign will feature signs and announcements asking riders to be courteous of others’ space, and by implication, to worry less about aerating their private parts.

“Man-spreading’’ isn’t specific to New York, of course, and many a Red Line trip involves navigating seas of laterally extended limbs.


#MBTA etiquette; if you are already seated PLEASE do not occupy seat next to you with your feet. Thanks pic.twitter.com/kKutGDXwH2 — MBTA Transit Police (@MBTATransitPD) February 26, 2014

WTF is this about? Very protective of that empty seat. Can't wait til someone comes and sits on them. #mbta pic.twitter.com/Da4hKEAW — GirlOnMBTA (@GirlOnMBTA) February 12, 2013

We reached out to the MBTA to get their take on New York’s change of attitude.

“The MBTA has not seen an uptick in complaints about the way men sit,’’ MBTA spokesperson Joe Pesaturo said in an email, and there have been “none in recent memory.’’

Pesaturo also forwarded along the MBTA’s recent Courtesy ad campaign, which encourages riders to give up their seat to those needing one, clean up trash, be nice to bus drivers, and keep phone conversations down. There is no mention of seating width or man-spreading, although a previous ad campaign asked riders not to “hog a seat.’’

The MBTA may be a bit gunshy about admonishing subway riders ever since its heavily criticized question polling the public if parents should have to fold their baby strollers when entering a train car. That idea was voted down amid a torrent of criticism in 2011.

A ban on man-spreaders could result in similar pushback. They do have quite the broad presence, after all.