Fifth Avenue Will Get a New Buffered Bike Lane

In the late 1970s, when cycling was still mostly for the few and thebrave, the DOT installed a bike lane on 5th Avenue. This lane wasdesigned in accordance with the standards of the time, and thefour-feet of space it afforded cyclists was a big step forward forcyclists. In fact, at the time New York was ahead of most cities inproviding dedicated street space for cyclists.

Today though, with cycling booming in New York City, cyclists deserve better.  The DOT Bicycle Program and Geometric Design Office have redesigned the bike lane on 5th Avenue between 23rd Street and Washington Square North with a five-foot wide lane and buffer. New York City is again on the leading edge in installing these buffers, which provide cyclists with additional room to maneuver and a little extra room to breathe between parked cars and moving traffic.

The construction is being completed now, as part of a planned street resurfacing project, saving taxpayers money, by incorporating this work into a pre-existing project. The lane miles striped will be in addition to the planned expansion of the bicycle network.