This Week: Livable Streets Proposals Take Manhattan

It's all about Manhattan community boards this week, with discussions and advisory votes on crucial transit, pedestrian and cyclist improvements.

• Tonight: The transportation committee of Manhattan Community Board 6 will discuss the 34th Street Transitway, and may offer a resolution. 7 p.m. 
• Tuesday: The Manhattan CB 2 transpo committee will hear a report from NYCDOT onbicycle education and markings, and will discuss calming traffic onCornelia Street. 6:30 p.m.
• Wednesday: In late 2008, a years-long effort by residents of the Lower East Side and Chinatown for safer conditions on Allen and Pike Streets finally began to pay off. On Wednesday night, the Manhattan CB 3 transportation committee will see a presentation on further improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. 6:30 p.m.
• Also Wednesday: Manhattan CB 6 (the full board) will take up a plan to close the East River Greenway gap, expand parkland on the East Side, and allow the U.N. toexpand by building on the Robert Moses Playground. Despite the relief it would bring from horrid street conditions around the U.N., this project faces an uphill battle for community board approval. All who are interested in establishing this crucial 33-block greenway link should make their voices heard. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.; details are here.
• Also Wednesday: Manhattan CB 11 hosts a public meeting to discuss the redesign of First and Second Avenue, and Select Bus Service in particular. CB 11 hasn't yet discussed the proposal to speed transit and keep pedestrians and cyclists safe.
• Thursday: The Museum of Arts and Design hosts a panel discussion on the impact of bicycles on the urban landscape. 7 p.m.
• Saturday: Inspired by the success ofManhattan's Summer Streets, Brooklyn's Vanderbilt Avenue merchants areholding their own this summer. The first one is this week. 10:30 a.m.