This Week: Turn Out to Support Safer Biking on Columbus Ave

Our short post-Memorial Day week is frontloaded with events happening tonight. The main attraction: Manhattan Community Board 7 will vote on the plan for a protected bike lane on 20 blocks of Columbus Avenue.

Tuesday: The grassroots campaign for livable streets on the Upper West Side is on the verge of seeing a big improvement for safe biking and walking. Last month, in response to a request from Community Board 7, NYCDOT presented plans for a protected bike path on Columbus Avenue from 96th Street to 77th Street. Despite a strong public showing in favor of the project, the CB 7 transportation committee split down the middle in a 5-5 vote.

Tonight, the full board will take up the proposal, and the voting is expected to be very close. You can testify before the vote and make the case for the type of street re-design that has improved safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists everywhere the city has tried it. Head over to the Fordham University building at 113 West 60th Street (by Columbus Avenue). The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. and the bike lane proposal is first on the agenda.

The proposal for Columbus Avenue adds space for cyclists and pedestrians without removing travel lanes. Image: NYCDOT

Also tonight: Brooklyn CB 7 holds a speakout on any and all aspects of Fourth Avenue. In the CB 7 district, Fourth Avenue is lined with several schools. Taming the speedway would benefit thousands of young students and their parents, who have to cross it on a daily basis. 6:30 p.m.

Wednesday: For the wonks in the house, the SUNY Global Center is holding a seminar on sustainable freight movement. 9:30 a.m.