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

Eyes on the Street: Pedestrian Islands Arrive on Amsterdam Ave

Pedestrian islands, like this one at 73rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, shorten crossing distances while providing additional protection for cyclists. Image: Robert Baron
The new addition to Amsterdam Avenue at 73rd Street.
Pedestrian islands, like this one at 73rd Street and Amsterdam Avenue, shorten crossing distances while providing additional protection for cyclists. Image: Robert Baron

DOT has finished striping the protected bike lane on Amsterdam Avenue between 72nd Street and 110th Street, and now it's moving on to the concrete. A reader sent in this photo of a brand new pedestrian island, more of which will be going in on the north side of intersections along the corridor.

The nine-foot-wide raised concrete islands shorten crossing distances and tighten the turns drivers make from side streets onto Amsterdam.

A rendering of a typical pedestrian refuge island on Amsterdam Avenue. Image: DOT
The typical design of a pedestrian island on Amsterdam Avenue. Image: DOT
A rendering of a typical pedestrian refuge island on Amsterdam Avenue. Image: DOT

Earlier this week, DOT said most pedestrian islands on Amsterdam will be installed this year. Between 107th Street and 110th Street a separate capital project will likely delay construction of ped islands until 2017.

The redesign began this spring, dramatically changing the feel of an avenue that used to function more like a highway than a neighborhood street. Some drivers still haven't gotten the message that the bike lane isn't for them, however. Our tipster also sent in this photo of illegal parking by 72nd Street.

Photo: Robert Baron
Photo: Robert Baron

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Culture of Can’t: What Happened to Mayor Adams’s Promise for Secure Bike Parking?

Will the city's first real safe bike parking project flounder?

March 17, 2025

Monday’s Headlines: Don’t Kill Congestion Pricing Edition

The Trump administration's faux deadline for New York to turn off congestion pricing is this Friday. Plus more news.

March 17, 2025

Mayor Adams Abruptly Calls Off Planned Queensboro Bridge Pedestrian Path Opening

The Queensboro Bridge's long-awaited pedestrian path was in the works to open this weekend — until Mayor Adams intervened.

March 14, 2025

DOT Report Reveals How Eric Adams Kneecapped Progress on Bus and Bike Lanes

The agency offers an explanation for its shortcomings, even trotting out a "We told you so" from the former mayor's transportation commissioner.

March 14, 2025

Public Grilling: Queens Panel Berates Opponents of Bob Holden’s E-Bike Registration Bill

Queens cyclists who came out to oppose an e-bike registration bill faced hostile questions from their local community board.

March 14, 2025
See all posts