We didn't want to let the week slip by without following up on some promising news from the Upper East Side. On Wednesday, a day after Community Board 7 deliberated, and ultimately approved, a resolution supporting protected bike lanes, Community Board 8's transportation committee considered a similar reso:
WHEREAS, Manhattan Community Board 8 is concerned about the safety of all people who use our streets and sidewalks,
WHEREAS, protected bike lanes have brought measurable safety improvements to other neighborhoods in Manhattan,
WHEREAS, many members of the Upper East Side public, business community, and elected officials have all expressed support for protected bike lanes in petitions, surveys, letters, and public testimony,
WHEREAS, Manhattan Community Board 8 wishes to encourage safe, responsible cycling in, to, and from this district,
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that CB8 supports the DOT's initiative to create protected bike lanes and requests that DOT prepare a study for a neighborhood bicycle network that includes Class 1 protected bike lanes (including information on projected impacts on pedestrian safety, bike safety, parking, truck traffic, and neighborhood business) that would be subject to review and comment by Community Board 8.
The resolution passed unanimously.
Though there were glimmers of hope at CB 8 forum last week, given the board's history when it comes to bike infrastructure, this is an amazing development. We'll have more coverage later, but for now cycling and pedestrian advocates, and anyone interested in safer Upper East Side streets, should mark their calendars for the big day: October 21, when the resolution is scheduled to be taken up by the full board.
In the meantime, congratulations to everyone who made this happen.
