Great question—and one we hear a lot when the temperature drops. Yes, the seat width on our street benches is generous enough for two people in winter coats.
Our standard bench has a usable seat width of about 48 inches between the armrests. That gives two adults roughly 24 inches of personal space each. For reference, an average adult in a puffy parka needs about 22–24 inches of hip and shoulder room, so there is enough space to sit without constantly rubbing shoulders or feeling squeezed. The armrests are placed at the outer edges rather than across the middle, which also helps.
The seat depth and slight backrest angle work with that width, too. Because the backrest is angled slightly, you sit back into the bench rather than perching forward, and that frees up a little more room at the front edge of the seat. When coats add bulk in winter, that small detail makes a real difference.
I tested this myself on a cold February morning in a heavy parka. Sitting next to a colleague in a similar coat, we could both sit naturally, keep our hands in our pockets, and still leave a small gap between us. It did not feel like sharing a narrow bus seat.
That said, if two people are wearing especially oversized down coats or carrying backpacks, it can feel cozier. But for normal winter coats, the width is intentionally generous. If you are choosing a bench for a busy sidewalk, transit stop, or park path, I would recommend the standard 48-inch model over the compact 42-inch option. The extra few inches matter when layers come out.