United Front of Electeds Join CB 3 to Ask for Protected Bikeway on Chrystie

Advocates’ design concept for a two-way protected bike lane on Chrystie Street. Streetmix by Dave “Paco” Abraham

A week after Manhattan Community Board 3 unanimously approved a resolution asking for a protected bike lane and pedestrian islands on Chrystie Street, elected officials representing the area — from the city, state, and federal levels — sent a letter to DOT Manhattan Borough Commissioner Margaret Forgione asking her to follow through [PDF].

The letter is signed by Congresswoman Nydia Velazquez, State Senator Daniel Squadron, Assembly Member Sheldon Silver, Borough President Gale Brewer, and Council Member Margaret Chin. (The only elected officials representing the area who aren’t included are the state’s two U.S. Senators and the mayor himself.)

“We believe it is important to take into account the concerns of the local community board when it speaks so strongly,” they write. “We ask DOT to study this area quickly, work closely with the community on any next steps, and keep our offices informed.”

DOT says it will examine whether changes requested for Chrystie Street, such as a two-way protected bike lane, are feasible. The agency does not yet have a timetable for the study.

  • J

    In progressive cities, the government asks the people to come together to create a PLAN on how to create a NETWORK of low-stress bicycle facilities (protected bike lanes, bike boulevards, and greenways). Then, it goes forward and builds projects that are a part of that plan and link to each other in a seemless manner.

    In NYC, however, the government announces that it will build 5 miles of protected bike lanes. It then sometimes announces it’s own projects and sometimes waits for communities to ask for projects, up to 5 miles. None are part of a larger plan for a network. All are basically done ad hoc. This may eventually lead to a network of low-stress bicycle facilities, but it’s an incredibly inefficient and ineffective way of doing so.

  • BBnet3000

    Would be very surprised if this is painted when Chrystie is repaved this year, its far too tight of a deadline given the drawn out process in this city. They haven’t got the room full of random people with crayons to do amateur cyclepath engineering yet!

    The fact that this wasn’t proposed at the same time as the 2nd Ave protected lane should prompt real examination if we are going to be serious about building a low-stress cycling network from today forward. Not that the 2nd Ave lane is actually low-stress, but let’s pretend.

  • This is some A+ advocacy by Paco Abraham. Well done. And thanks to all the electeds who signed on!

  • Eric McClure

    And next, let’s replicate this on the other side of the Manhattan Bridge, along Jay Street in Brooklyn. What say you, Brooklyn CB2?

  • carma

    looks great …

  • AnoNYC

    Keep the pressure!

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After Unanimous CB 3 Vote, Chrystie Street Protected Lane Scheduled for Fall

By David Meyer |
DOT’s plan for a two-way protected bike lane on Chrystie Street [PDF] got a unanimous vote of support from Manhattan Community Board 3 last night. The project is scheduled for implementation in the fall. The project will place a two-way bike lane protected by parked cars and concrete barriers on the east side of Chrystie from Canal Street to Houston Street, improving connections between the […]