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

CB 7 Committee Wants More Concrete Pedestrian Islands in Amsterdam Ave Redesign

DOT’s redesign of 10th Avenue/Amsterdam Avenue calls for pedestrian islands made out of paint, not concrete. Image: DOT

On Tuesday, the Manhattan Community Board 7 transportation committee voted unanimously for DOT's plan for protected bike lane on 10th Avenue/Amsterdam Avenue between 52nd Street and 72nd Street [PDF] and bike upgrades at Columbus Circle [PDF]. But the committee still wants DOT to deliver more robust pedestrian safety measures in the project, according to a source who was in attendance.

Like Community Board 4 last month, the CB 7 transportation committee took issue with the absence of concrete pedestrian islands at intersections along 10th Avenue and Amsterdam in DOT's plan. The project does call for pedestrian islands at intersections, but made out of paint and plastic posts, not concrete.

DOT attributed the lack of concrete to a shortage of resources for design and construction, the source said.

Because the concrete islands don't necessitate full reconstruction of the street, DOT has been able to implement them quickly. But the agency hasn't been applying concrete to every project where it make sense. On Ninth Street in Brooklyn, for example, DOT recently opted for painted pedestrian islands and left the possibility of concrete to future capital reconstruction projects.

The CB 7 committee did not withhold an endorsement, but did request some improvements. In addition to concrete pedestrian islands, the committee's resolution called on DOT to eliminate the left turn from Amsterdam onto 71st Street and to add more loading zones to both sides of the street.

The committee also identified a few ways in which the Columbus Circle design could go further to protect cyclists from motor vehicle traffic.

The bike lane at Columbus Circle would loop around the inner public space, with cyclists using pedestrian signals to enter and exit. Image: DOT
The bike lane at Columbus Circle would loop around the inner public space, with cyclists using pedestrian signals to enter and exit. Image: DOT
The bike lane at Columbus Circle would loop around the inner public space, with cyclists using pedestrian signals to enter and exit. Image: DOT

Most notably, the redesign does not include any physical separation between the inner bike lane loop and motor vehicle traffic. They also called for a bike lane south of 62nd Street on Central Park West, the primary route of most northbound bike traffic, and for delineated space for cyclists entering Columbus Circle eastbound from 59th Street and southbound from Broadway.

CB 7 will vote on the resolutions at its full board meeting, which will be held next Tuesday, July 17, at Goddard Riverside Center, located at 593 Columbus Avenue.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

SQUEEZED: Welcome to the Newly Unsafe Bedford Avenue ‘Bike Lane’

Bike riders are now endangered by parked cars and fast-moving traffic between Willoughby and Flushing avenues, as drivers revert to doing ... exactly what they had been doing.

Eric Adams May Veto Grocery Delivery Minimum Wage that Eric Adams Championed

A 2022 report from the former Democrat promised to expand labor protections to more app delivery workers, but he won't commit to supporting Council bills trying to do just that.

August 6, 2025

Wednesday’s Headlines: Blow Canada Edition

Wow, something is really putrid in the air over New York City, and it's not the hometown ball clubs. Plus other news.

August 6, 2025

OPINION: Actually, Amazon’s Cargo E-Bikes are Good!

Amazon’s e-cargo bikes alleviate the need for delivery vans and reduce traffic collisions. They also look rad.

August 5, 2025

Inside Instacart’s Astro-Turf Group Opposing Worker Minimum Wage

Instacart is trying everything to pressure the mayor to veto a bill that would require the company to pay its workers minimum wage.

August 5, 2025

Zivarts: How ‘Week Without Driving’ Is Having An Impact

Needing to drive in a car-dependent society is not some sort of moral failure. A one-week teach-in can help elected officials see that.

August 5, 2025
See all posts