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

What’s Next for 6th Ave Protected Bike Lane and Crosstown Routes on UES

4:52 PM EST on February 4, 2016

At the request of community advocates, DOT wants to install three new crosstown dedicated bike routes on the Upper East Side. Image: DOT
DOT's plan calls for three painted crosstown bike lane pairs on the Upper East Side [PDF]. Image: DOT
DOT wants to install three new crosstown dedicated bike routes on the Upper East Side [PDF]. Image: DOT

Two Manhattan bike projects went before community boards last night. The CB 8 transportation committee heard from DOT about the agency's plan for crosstown bike lanes on the Upper East Side, and CB 4 endorsed the protected lane on Sixth Avenue, which DOT plans to install in the fall.

The crosstown painted lanes would span the width of the Upper East Side, providing safer east-west access for a neighborhood that currently has only one bike lane pair -- 90th and 91st streets. The new bike lane pairs are East 67th and 68th streets between Fifth and York, 77th and 78th Streets between Fifth and John Jay Park, and 84th and 85th Streets between Fifth and East End. After the eastern termini at Cherokee Place and East End Avenue, shared lanes will guide cyclists to parks and the East River Esplanade greenway.

On the western side, all three routes terminate at Central Park. A 72nd Street bike lane could feed into the only major on-street bike path that cuts directly across the park, but DOT is not pursuing that.

Last night’s presentation to CB 8 was met with the typical NIMBY response, which NY1 previewed a few weeks ago. According to bike lane supporters who attended, opponents' arguments focused on reasons why one street or another would not work for the lanes. But Council Member Ben Kallos spoke out in favor of the proposal and vehemently defended the need to ensure cyclists' safety in the neighborhood. No vote was held, and DOT will present again next month.

Meanwhile, in Midtown, CB 4 endorsed DOT’s plan for a protected bike lane from 8th Street to 33rd Street [PDF]. The transportation committee had initially declined to support DOT’s proposal, because it did not include enough dedicated signal phases for cyclists and pedestrians or raised concrete pedestrian islands. Last month, the committee reluctantly endorsed an updated proposal that includes pedestrian islands but not more exclusive signal time.

CB 2 and CB 5, which the bike lane will also pass through, have already voted for it.

CB4 full board votes unanimously in favor of the #bikenyc lane on 6th Ave. It's in the bag. Construction starts third quarter 2016. Yes!

— Janet Liff (@JanetLiff) February 4, 2016

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Maximum Rage: Delivery Workers Protest Low Wages, App ‘Lockouts’

Couriers with bikes and signs urge the city to step in as Uber Eats, GrubHub and DoorDash withhold work, they say.

March 28, 2024

The Toll of History: MTA Board Approves $15 Congestion Pricing Fee

New York City's congestion pricing tolls are one historic step closer to reality after Wednesday's 11-1 MTA board vote. Next step: all those pesky lawsuits.

March 28, 2024

Company That Fought McGuinness Safety Project Wants to Seize Bklyn Street for Private Backlot

Broadway Stages to Greenpoint residents: "Street safety for me, not for thee."

March 28, 2024

SEE IT: Hit-and-Run Driver With Fake Plate Seriously Injures Cyclist

The 5 p.m. crash occurred at Flushing and Waverly avenue near the Brooklyn Navy Yard.

March 28, 2024

Thursday’s Headlines: Shakira Shakira Edition

Pop superstar Shakira performed for a crowd of 40,000 packed into the Times Square pedestrian plazas. Plus congestion pricing news and more.

March 28, 2024
See all posts