Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
Bicycling

Midtown Bike Lanes Win Strong Endorsements From Two Community Boards

Plans for bike lanes on 29th and 30th Streets earned approval from two Midtown community boards and will move ahead. Image: DOT

Manhattan's newest pair of crosstown bike lanes, on 29th and 30th Streets, are set to be striped after strong votes of support from two Midtown community boards. The lanes already exist west of Eighth Avenue, where they were painted in the wake of the death of cyclist Marilyn Dershowitz. With the support of local residents, the lanes will now extend east to First Avenue.

The 29th and 30th Street lanes will provide a rare continuous path almost all the way across Manhattan. Many crosstown lanes are interrupted by parks, superblocks, or one-way streets that require detours.

That said, the route won't offer a full bike lane for the whole distance. Sharrows will replace the bike lane on 30th between Seventh and Sixth Avenues, Madison and Park, and Third and Second, according to a pair of DOT presentations. On 29th, cyclists will ride in a shared lane on the blocks between Third Avenue and Madison Avenue.

The plan is expected to bolster safety on streets in need of improvements. East of Lexington, for example, 29th and 30th Streets were more dangerous for pedestrians than 85 percent of all Manhattan streets, according to DOT's severity-weighted index of traffic injuries.

Last night, Manhattan Community Board 5 voted 38 to 0 in favor of the plan, with one abstention, said transportation committee chair Raju Mann. The office of Community Board 6, which represents the area east of Lexington Avenue, said it could not yet provide the total from their vote, but Mann said it was similarly lopsided.

DOT also plans to remove parking spaces on 29th and 30th Streets to make room for new turning lanes.

"CB5 worked with DOT to ensure that there was extensive outreach to the business and residents in the area," said Mann. "After modifications were made to the proposal to improve access to loading and parking the Board is very supportive of the creation of a new river to river bike lane on 29th and 30th Street and the important improvements to traffic flow and pedestrian safety that are a part of this project."

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

New Air Quality Stats Dispel Earlier Forecasts for Congestion Pricing Pollution

Air quality has improved or remained steady across the five boroughs since congestion pricing launched in January, city health department data showed.

July 7, 2025

New ‘Rush’ Routes Launch With Queens Overhaul More Than Five Years in the Making

The MTA's new "rush" routes make fewer stops in busy downtown areas to avoid wasted time merging in and out of traffic.

July 7, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Run This Town Edition

The 34th Street busway is the latest casualty of the mayor's lack of a spine on transportation issues. Plus more news.

July 7, 2025

Beach Reading: Zohran Mamdani’s Answers to Streetsblog’s Mayoral Candidate Survey

Spend the holiday weekend with Zohran Mamdani's answers to Streetsblog's mayoral candidate questionnaire.

July 4, 2025

Friday Video: Why NYC Needs ‘Low-Traffic Neighborhoods’

London's Church Street, like so many of our business corridors, was choking on cars — until the advent of the low-traffic neighborhood.

July 4, 2025

Friday’s Headlines: E-Bikes in Parks … Permanently Edition

The Parks Department will permanently allow e-bikes in city parks following a two-year pilot. Plus more news.

July 4, 2025
See all posts