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NYCycles - The Official Newsletter of NYC DOT's Bicycle Program
Quick Bit:
Check out NYC's Active Design Guidelines, created to help architects and urban planners design streets, plazas, buildings and other spaces in ways that promote physical activity.
DOT was part of a team including the Department of Design and Construction, Health and Mental Hygiene, City Planning and the Office of Management and Budget, as well as leading architectural and planning academics that teamed up for this first of its kind document.
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In this February edition of NYCycles, you'll
find:
Winter Cycling in the City
Tips to keep you riding all winter long.
1st and 2nd Avenues Get Complete Streets
Designs for the new East Side Bus Rapid Transit routes include protected bike lanes, providing expanded transportation options and safety for all.
Bikes in Buildings Off to a Strong Start
The Bikes in Buildings Bill went into effect Friday, December 11, 2009, allowing tenants in commercial office buildings with at least one freight elevator to request bicycle access to their space.
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Winter Cycling in the City
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Riding your bike during the colder months may seem daunting, but just a little extra prep can keep you on two wheels year round.
First, address the basics for staying warm and dry during your ride. Chicago Bike Winter provides a helpful list of suggested clothing, including:
- Waterproof, windproof outer jacket
- Warm, waterproof glove/mitten combos that allow you to move your fingers
- Warm, waterproof shoe/boots with warm socks (not too tight)
- Warm, but thin head covering that will fit under your helmet and protect your ears
- Wicking base layers, like silk or synthetics
- Waterproof, wind proof pants
Keep in mind that you will generate body heat while riding!
While street conditions may vary during the winter months, stay safe by slowing down. Be familiar with the route you're taking, which includes knowing about existing potholes or other road conditions that may be hidden by the snow. Side streets can sometimes be safer, as drivers tend to drive more cautiously there during winter weather as opposed to main roads. Keep an eye out for wet leaves, manhole covers and metal bridges, which often become slippery quickly.
It's important to stay visible while cycling during the winter, as daylight hours are shorter and weather conditions may affect visibility. This doesn't necessarily mean expensive reflective vests, although those do work. At the very least, dress in lightly-colored clothing. Cyclists are required to use a white headlight and a red taillight from dusk to dawn, but it's best to brighten up even more. Affix extra lights to your helmet or bag, or add reflective tape to your bike frame. Most importantly, stay vigilant. Keep your eye out for drivers and make sure they see you.
Finally, keep in mind that your bike will require some extra maintenance during snowy months, including lubing the chain and other moving parts on a weekly basis. Make sure to replace worn brake pads, as they will wear out more quickly in slushy conditions. Fenders are not essential, but will help keep your bike clean.
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| 1st and 2nd Avenues Get Complete Streets |
1st and 2nd Avenues are major thoroughfares for the East Side of Manhattan. They are serviced by the M15 bus which is the busiest single route in New York City, with average weekday ridership of 57,000. They also serve as local truck routes. And for many cyclists they serve as the most direct connection to midtown and the Queensboro Bridge.
But the traffic on these avenues has long hindered buses and cyclists alike, slowing buses and intimidating all but the most hardy of cyclists. Buses continue to schlep on (according to the Straphangers Campaign in 2008 more than one in five buses along the M15 route were significantly off-schedule), and cyclists detour to take advantage of the more tranquil routes on Central Park West or the West Side Greenway. No one knows how many people are deterred altogether from taking the bus or riding a bike because of these conditions.
This winter the DOT and the MTA / New York City Transit revealed new plans that should boost bus speeds and reliability and increase cyclist safety. The 1st / 2nd Avenue Select Bus Service plans span nearly 8.5 miles, connecting South Ferry in Lower Manhattan to 125th Street. South of Houston the route will operate on Allen, Pike, Madison, Pearl and Water Streets. Bus riders will get increased hours of service, increased bus frequency and off-board payment systems, which allow for faster bus boarding and decreases delays. The first phase of the project includes offset bus lanes, as well as protected or shared bike lanes from Houston to 125th Street. This will provide a safer, more direct connection and hopefully encourage more eastside cycling.
To see the proposed designs, visit DOT's Bus Rapid Transit page or download the most recent 1st / 2nd Avenue SBS presentation here.
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| Bikes in Buildings Off to Strong Start |
The Bikes in Buildings Bill went into effect Friday, December 11, 2009, allowing tenants in commercial office buildings with at least one freight elevator to request bicycle access to their space.
Over 120 requests have been filed so far, and nearly 40 access plans have been submitted by building owners and managers.
To read more about the program including how to apply for bike access visit, DOT's Bikes in Buildings page.
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New Bicycle Routes
See upcoming bicycle projects here. Want to learn more? Check the DOT calendar to find out when we give public presentations about these projects.
Get Your 2009 NYC Cycling Map
 Get your copy of the Departments of Transportation, City Planning and Parks' NYC Cycling Map while supplies last. It includes bike lanes, routes, greenways, parks, bike shops and subway stations in all five boroughs. The map also shows bike rental locations. Download a copy online, pick up one at a local bike shop or call 311 to get one FREE.
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Safety Tip :
We've posted about it before, but Bright Bike is a low-cost (and cute) way to make your bike more visible at night. They're now offering complete kits as well as instructions on how to do-it-yourself using retro-reflective tape you purchase on your own. |
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Quick Tip:
Not sure if there is too much snow on the ground to ride? Check out DOT's traffic cameras. Though mostly intended for monitoring traffic, they can give you a sneak peek at roadway conditions along your route. DOT removes snow promptly from the East River Bridges, but if there is a problem you can always report it to 311.
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Road and Bridge Closures
For information about street closures, sign up for weekly traffic advisories. And please keep in mind the West Side Greenway detour in lower Manhattan through the spring of 2010.
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Free Helmets
The DOT has distributed over 23,000 official NYC Bicycle Helmets for free to New York City residents. You can schedule a time to get fitted for an NYC helmet at one of the DOT's Safety Cities by calling 311. Check our events calendar for upcoming fittings.
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Suggest Bike Rack Locations
Do you live or work somewhere that could benefit from bike parking? NYCDOT is working with Community Boards to identify strategic areas to install clusters of new bike parking, including at transit stations, along commercial corridors and at other major destinations. If you'd like to suggest an area that needs bike parking, contact your Community Board.
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Report a Problem or Send Kudos
 Potholes
Street Construction Hazards
Missing or Broken Street Signs
Report a faded or damaged bike lane: Call 311
Other Complaints and Compliments
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