Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Contraflow Bike Lanes

Streetfilms: Contraflow Bike Lanes — A Capital Idea

While we were down in Washington, DC for the National Bike Summit, Streetfilms got the chance to check out some of the capital's innovative new bike infrastructure.

Tops
on our list: the city's first protected, contraflow lane for
bicyclists. The district DOT has redesigned 15th Street NW between U
Street and Massachusetts Avenue to accommodate two-way bike traffic on
a one-way street. Northbound cyclists get a shared lane moving in the
same direction as car traffic, and southbound cyclists ride in a
parking-protected lane. The treatment has also slimmed down the street,
removing a vehicle lane and calming traffic.

DC transportation
officials say that when designing this protected bike lane, they looked
to New York and Montreal for inspiration. Contraflow
lanes could help make critical new connections in New York's bike
network, like the gap between Park Slope and Fort Greene that Brooklyn CB 2 recently asked DOT
to take a look at. So hopefully some of that inspiration will work its way back up the Acela corridor to NYC.

Although not captured in the video, DC has also just
finished a curbside, un-protected contraflow lane on the narrower Champlain Street in Adams
Morgan. See pics after the jump.

champlain 1
false
champlain 2
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Case Closed: Judge Allows DOT to Build a Bike Lane

Not so fast! A street safety project will continued in industrial Queens after a judge thwarts businesses's attempt to sue the DOT.

May 7, 2025

Teen Helmet Mandate for E-Citi Bikes? Albany Lawmakers are Up to No Good Again

Key state lawmakers want to require some Citi Bike users to wear helmets — a mandate that studies have shown can dramatically reduce ridership. Plus other news from the State Capitol.

May 7, 2025

Eric Adams Punts the Future of Open Streets to the Next Mayor

The city's car-free open streets are funded for just one more year under Mayor Adams's proposed budget. But Cuomo looms.

May 7, 2025

Komanoff: Tsk, Tsk, Tisch — Criminal Summonses for Cyclists Will Backfire

Commissioner Jessica Tisch's new policy will result in unsafer streets and crackdowns on hard-working immigrants.

May 7, 2025

Decision 2025: Mayoral Hopefuls Discuss Saving Us From Reckless Drivers

Promises promises. But what will some of the top mayoral candidates do on this critical street safety issue?

See all posts