Manhattan CB2 Unanimously Approves Eighth Avenue Cycle Track


The cycle track will replace the current buffered bike lane on Eighth Avenue.

In a pair of votes last week, DOT’s plan for a protected bike path on Eighth Avenue got the thumbs up from Community Board 2. On Tuesday, the transportation committee approved a resolution expressing support for the cycle track, and on Thursday, the full board did the same. Both votes were unanimous.

The path will run from Bank Street to 23rd Street and is also set to be reviewed by Community Board 4.

Ian Dutton, vice-chair of the CB2 transportation committee, gives credit to DOT’s public outreach effort. "They printed up brochures for [the plan], and went door to door," he said. "Instead of there being more uproar, at our meeting absolutely no one was there to express concerns." The twelve attendees who spoke about the cycle track all supported it, he added.

In the resolution, CB2 requested bell bollards for pedestrian refuges and leading pedestrian intervals at some intersections. DOT has shown more openness to such suggestions than in years past, said Dutton. "It’s remarkable how much they’re seeking our input instead of just
dictating terms. They’re asking the neighborhood what they think."

According to Dutton, DOT plans to complete the cycle track by November.

Photo: NYCDOT

ALSO ON STREETSBLOG

Manhattan CB2 Weighs Protected Bike Path for Eighth Avenue

By Ben Fried |
A typical street plan in DOT’s proposal for Eighth Avenue. The transportation committee of Manhattan Community Board 2 will meet tonight to consider a proposal for a protected bike path on Eighth Avenue. If built, the cycle track would join the Ninth Avenue bike lane as the city’s primary on-grid Class I bicycle facilities. It […]

CB4 Backs Eighth Avenue Cycle Track

By Streetsblog |
From Caroline Samponaro, Director of Bicycle Advocacy for Transportation Alternatives: At last night’s Manhattan Community Board 4 meeting the full board voted overwhelmingly in support of the DOT’s proposed extension of the Eighth Avenue bike lane from 14th to 23rd Streets. Only two board members voted against this plan. Zero community members attended the meeting […]

Plan for Grand Street Cycle Track Features New Design Treatment

By Ben Fried |
DOT has unveiled plans for a Grand Street cycle track [PDF] that bear the fingerprints of Danish planner Jan Gehl. It would be Manhattan’s first cross-town protected bike path. Grand Street is narrower than Ninth Avenue, where the existing protected path runs. Whereas the Ninth Avenue cycle track uses signal timing to prevent conflicts between […]

Separated Bike Path Isn’t Gay Enough for CB4

By Aaron Naparstek |
Manhattan Community Board 4’s transportation committee unanimously approved DOT’s plan to install a physically-separated bike path on Eighth Avenue in Lower Manhattan. The committee enthusiastically recommended the plan to the full board on Wednesday. The board then voted to ignore their own committee and block the plan. Apparently, some members feel that complete streets and […]

CB4 Committee Supports Eighth Avenue Cycle Track

By Brad Aaron |
Last night, the transportation committee of Manhattan Community Board 4 voted 8-2 in support of extending the protected bike lane on Eighth Avenue, now under construction below W. 14th Street, north to 23rd. Wiley Norvell of Transportation Alternatives sends this account. The meeting turnout was high, with roughly 40 people speaking 2-1 in favor of […]

Turnout Needed Tonight for CB4 Eighth Ave Cycle Track Vote

By Brad Aaron |
Pedestrian refuges mean cyclists aren’t the only beneficiaries of cycle tracks. Photo: wrkng/Flickr Manhattan Community Board 4 will vote tonight on whether to recommend extending the protected bike lane on Eighth Avenue, now under construction below W. 14th Street, north to W. 23rd. The board’s transportation committee signed off on the lane last month. Still, […]