Skip to content

On Wednesday, Tell CB 8: Protected Bike Lanes Protect Everyone

The Community Board 8 committee vote this month in support of protected bike lanes for Manhattan's Upper East Side was nothing short of momentous. Wednesday's full board decision presents an even bigger hurdle, though by no means an insurmountable one. The reason, says Caroline Samponaro, director of bicycle advocacy for Transportation Alternatives, is community input.

The Community Board 8 committee vote this month in support of protected bike lanes for Manhattan’s Upper East Side was nothing short of momentous. Wednesday’s full board decision presents an even bigger hurdle, though by no means an insurmountable one. The reason, says Caroline Samponaro, director of bicycle advocacy for Transportation Alternatives, is community input.

“This past month at CB 8 has really been all about neighbors convincing neighbors,” Samponaro says. “Residents of all stripes came out to support protected lanes at the last committee meeting, and it made a big impression on the board.”

Turnout will be crucial for tomorrow night’s meeting, when board members should be reminded of the benefits of protected bike lanes for all street users, including reduced crossing distances for pedestrians and fewer conflicts between sidewalk users and cyclists who don’t feel safe riding in street traffic. Longtime UES advocate Glenn posted salient talking points earlier today.

If you’ve ever made the case for safer streets to Community Board 8, or if you’ve been waiting for an opportune moment, now’s the time to follow up or follow through.

WHAT: Community Board 8 Full Board Meeting
WHEN: Wednesday, October 21, 6:30 p.m.
WHERE: Ramaz School Auditorium, 125 E. 85th St.

Photo of Brad Aaron
Brad Aaron began writing for Streetsblog in 2007, after years as a reporter, editor, and publisher in the alternative weekly business. Brad adopted New York'’s dysfunctional traffic justice system as his primary beat for Streetsblog. He lives in Manhattan.

Streetsblog has migrated to a new comment system. New commenters can register directly in the comments section of any article. Returning commenters: your previous comments and display name have been preserved, but you'll need to reclaim your account by clicking "Forgot your password?" on the sign-in form, entering your email, and following the verification link to set a new password — this is required because passwords could not be carried over during the migration. For questions, contact tips@streetsblog.org.

More from Streetsblog New York City

Feds Charge Fraud Temp Tag Dealers ID’d in Streetsblog’s ‘Ghost Plate’ Series

May 22, 2026

State Pols Pass The Non-Controversial Part Of Hochul’s Car Insurance Reforms

May 22, 2026

Mamdani Says He’ll Back DOT Against Bikelash in W. 72nd St. Safety Revamp

May 22, 2026

Firefighters Flex Union Muscle In Bid To Keep Deadly Astoria Corridor Unsafe

May 22, 2026

Friday Video: A Bike Lane on Chambers Street!

May 22, 2026
See all posts