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

Eyes on the Street: Start the Countdown for Midtown’s Crosstown Protected Bike Lanes

Painted markings for 26th Street’s forthcoming protected bike lane adjacent to the memorial bike for Dan Hanegby, killed biking there last June. Photo: Twitter/Jeff Novich

The first crosstown protected bike lanes in Midtown are starting to take shape.

DOT crews were spotted by Jeff Novich putting down preliminary markings for a parking-protected bike lane on 26th Street this morning. The project only requires striping and paint, so a rideable bike lane shouldn't be far behind.

Until now, crosstown routes have been a missing link in the Manhattan bike network. Last June, charter bus drivers struck and killed Dan Hanegby and Michael Mamoukakis on West 26th Street and West 29th Street, respectively, within the span of a few days. Afterward, CB 4, Transportation Alternatives, and City Council Transportation Chair Ydanis Rodriguez called for protected bike lanes to make crosstown cycling safer.

DOT plans to add a five-foot protected bike lane with a two-foot buffer on most blocks of 26th and 29th streets. Image: DOT
DOT plans to add a five-foot protected bike lane with a two-foot buffer on most blocks of 26th and 29th streets. Image: DOT
DOT plans to add a five-foot protected bike lane with a two-foot buffer on most blocks of 26th and 29th streets. Image: DOT

NYC DOT unveiled its plan for 26th Street and 29th Street in January [PDF]. The design calls for a five-foot bike lane separated from the parking lane by a two-foot buffer.

Later this year, DOT reps will show plans for two more pairs of crosstown protected lanes: one on 52nd Street and 55th Street, and another on a to-be-determined pair of streets through the Times Square area. The agency is also planning a two-way protected bike lane for 13th Street ahead of the L train shutdown.

Preliminary bicycle markings at 12th Avenue and West 26th Street. Photo: Jeff Novich
Preliminary bicycle markings at 12th Avenue and West 26th Street. Photo: Jeff Novich
Preliminary bicycle markings at 12th Avenue and West 26th Street. Photo: Jeff Novich

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

Candidate Cuomo’s E-Bike Restrictions ‘Demonize’ Those Who Need Them

E-bikes give commuters, parents and delivery workers the ability to get around, but Andrew Cuomo would restrict their use in favor of the car, which the Department of Transportation says is the singular threat on the road.

March 27, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Duffy ‘Whac-A-Mole’ Edition

The MTA goes to great lengths to correct Trump Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's lies. Plus more news.

March 27, 2025

Off the Waterfront: Bronx Part of ‘Harlem River Greenway’ Will Be Bike Lanes on Street

The protected bike lanes look great, but it's a far far cry from the waterfront access Adams promised.

March 26, 2025

CAPITOL DISPATCH: Albany Has No Plan, the Feds are Fuming and Transit Riders Are Facing a True ‘Shithole’ If MTA Cash Isn’t Raised

The halls of the state capitol were filled with dread on Tuesday as neither Gov. Hochul nor legislative leaders have a plan to fill the yawning funding gap in the MTA's renovation and expansion plan — and the federal government is laughing on the sidelines.

March 26, 2025

NJ Still Backing Turnpike Widening Despite Congestion Pricing Success and Local Opposition

Congestion pricing is reducing traffic between New Jersey and New York — but Phil Murphy's $11-billion Turnpike widening would increase it.

March 26, 2025
See all posts