This Week: Making Columbus Circle Safer for Biking and Walking

Situated at the southwest corner of Central Park, Columbus Circle is a void in the city's bike network. The circle connects to protected bike lanes on Broadway and Eighth Avenue to the south and, to the north, a painted northbound lane on Central Park West. But the circle itself has no bike lanes except for a short segment between Broadway and the park.

According to city data, 49 people have been injured in traffic crashes in Columbus Circle since 2009. Ten of the victims were walking, 18 were on bikes, and 21 were in motor vehicles.

Earlier this month Manhattan Community Board 7, on the Upper West Side, passed a resolution calling on DOT to install a protected bike lane in Columbus Circle, which would make it safer to bike and walk there. Tonight the CB 5 transportation committee, whose district borders Columbus Circle to the southeast, will consider its own resolution.

Here are this calendar week’s highlights. Check the full calendar for more info on these and other events.

• Tonight: The Manhattan CB 5 committee will take up a resolution asking DOT for cycling and walking improvements in Columbus Circle, and will hear from the MTA on L train shutdown plans. 6 p.m.
• Also tonight: TransitCenter hosts “Parking is Powerful,” the first of three events introducing a new transportation policy guide for mayors and other city leaders. The event is free and open to the public. RSVP info and other details here. 6 p.m.
• Wednesday: DOT will present the Highland Park-East New York Transportation Study to the Brooklyn CB 5 transportation committee. 6:30 p.m.
• Thursday: Join the Brooklyn Greenway Initiative for a discussion on how the waterfront greenway can be used to bolster flood protection measures in Red Hook. 6 p.m.

Watch the calendar for updates. Drop us a line if you have an event we should know about.