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

Eyes on the Street: Instant Bike Lane, Courtesy of NYPD and the Pope

Photo: Jared Rodriguez
Photo: Jared Rodriguez, www.HaverstrawLife.com. Click to enlarge.
Photo: Jared Rodriguez

Update: From reader Joe Enoch: "I got in that 'lane' this morning and a cop nearly knocked me off my bike a few feet later. He jumped in front of me and screamed at me to get out of the lane. There were no emergency vehicles, UN convoys or popes in sight."

The papal visit is opening up streets all over Manhattan. Reader Jared Rodriguez sent this pic of 57th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues, where an emergency lane staked with traffic cones became an impromptu bi-directional bikeway.

Goes to show that if you create a car-free lane, cyclists will gravitate to it. And see how easy it is to reallocate street space for car-free transport when the city wants to.

Brooklyn Spoke's Doug Gordon is posting more shots of pope-related street reclamations on Twitter.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Mamdani’s 14th Street Redesign: The Perfect Opportunity For BRT-Style Bus Stations

A "once-in-a-generation upgrade" to 14th Street offers Mayor Mamdani a chance to make New York City's streets "the envy of the world."

March 10, 2026

The Speeding Situation in New York City Is Even Worse Than It Seems

Speed cameras can’t ticket vehicles with ghost plates — which means we don't know how often their drivers break the law.

March 10, 2026

Tuesday’s Headlines: Harsh Winter Edition

Sure, it was a gorgeous day yesterday — but that's only because you're not a mauled street safety device. Plus other news.

March 10, 2026

Community Boards Push Mamdani’s DOT to Use ‘Sammy’s Law’ To Lower Speed Limits

As City Hall and the Council bicker over lower speed limits, community boards are demanding action.

March 9, 2026

Urban Truth Collective: Straight Talk About The Joy Of Cities In An Age Of Disinformation

The Three Tenors of Urbanism explain their latest effort: The Urban Truth Collective.

March 9, 2026

Monday’s Headlines: Daylighting Dead-End Edition

Mayor Mamdani declined to stick up for universal daylighting when pressed about the issue on Friday. Plus more news.

March 9, 2026
See all posts