Bicyclists

Bicycle Statistics and Reports

Bike Network
Ridership Statistics
Safety Indicator
Reports

DOT's goal is to accelerate the growth of safe cycling by quickly providing a backbone system of bicycle routes that traverse and connect all five boroughs while also creating a dense, fine-grained network of bike lanes in communities where cycling is already a popular mode of transportation.

Bike Network

In June 2009, DOT completed the City's ambitious goal of building 200 bike-lane miles in all five boroughs in just three years, nearly doubling the citywide on-street bike network while reshaping the city's streets to make them safer for everyone who uses them. The same period also saw unprecedented expansion and innovation of the overall network, including the installation of 4.9 miles of bike paths physically separated from car traffic lanes, 20 sheltered bike parking structures and 3,100 bike racks, accompanied by a more than 45% growth in commuter cycling in that time.
The City is on track to meet its combined agency goal of 1,800 bike-lane miles (on street, in parks and along paths) by the year 2030, as outlined in the City's Bike Master Plan and in the Mayor's PlaNYC agenda.
Bike route installation takes place year-long, with a brief hiatus during the coldest months.
2011 Bicycle Route Projects
Bicycle Route Projects from July 2006 through 2010
All Bicycle Route Projects by borough and type, from July 2006–June 2011 (pdf)

Ridership Statistics

In 2008, DOT's strategic plan laid out the goal of doubling bicycle commuting between 2007 and 2015 and tripling it by 2020. The City reached the goal of doubling bicycle commuting in 2011, a year early.

DOT conducts bicycle counts on all roadways crossing 50th Street in Manhattan, plus the Hudson River Greenways, the Staten Island Ferry at Whitehall, and the Queensboro, Williamsburg, Manhattan and Brooklyn Bridges. The counts began in 1980 and have been conducted annually since 1984. Using this data the DOT has developed the Commuter Cycling Indicator (pdf). It shows a 8% increase between 2010 and 2011, and that commuter cycling more than doubled from 2007 to 2011, in just 4 years.
Learn more about the Commuter Cycling Indicator and screenline counts
DOT has collected some useful background facts on ridership statistics in New York City

Safety Indicator

The NYC Cycling Safety Indicator describes changes in cyclist safety over the past decade while accounting for the increase in bicycle use in New York City. The decrease in the Cycling Safety Indicator from 397 in 2000 to 113 in 2010 represents a 72% decrease in the average risk of a serious injury experienced by commuter cyclists in New York City.
Learn more about the Cycling Safety Indicator (pdf)

Reports

Prospect Park West Bike Lane Before and After Analysis

DOT has conducted a preliminary assessment of the impacts of the Prospect Park West bike lane on traffic speeds, sidewalk cycling and overall bicycle ridership.
Learn more about the Prospect Park West Bike Lane

Bike-Share Opportunities in New York City

This report analyzes existing bike-share models and current New York City bicyclist demographics and demand to assess the potential for a New York City Bike-Share Program. In addition, an overview of potential funding options and recommendations for program implementation, including suggested program size and phasing, bike-station siting, fees, safety and theft reduction, are also discussed.
Read the report (2009)

PlaNYC 2030

PlaNYC 2030 is Mayor Bloomberg's comprehensive sustainability plan for the City's future. The plan puts forth a strategy to reduce the City's greenhouse gas footprint, while also accommodating a population growth of nearly one million, and improving our infrastructure and environment. PlaNYC calls for promoting cycling by expanding the route network, expanding the availability of bicycle parking, and creating a bike share system.
Read the transportation section of PlaNYC (2007)

Bicyclist Fatalities and Serious Injuries in New York City, 1996-2005

In 2006, the Departments of Health and Mental Hygiene, Parks and Recreation, Transportation, and Police issued a joint report on bicyclist fatalities and serious injuries in New York City between 1996 and 2005. The report identifies specific safety challenges for bicycling in New York City, offers recommendations for motor vehicle drivers, bicyclists, health care providers, and others, and outlines action steps the City will take to increase bicycling and improve safety.
Download the report (pdf)

More Bicycle Reports from New York City Planning

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