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NYCycles - The Official Newsletter of NYC DOT's Bike Program
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In this March edition of NYCycles, you'll find:
New Bike Lanes Coming Soon
This spring DOT will install over 25 miles of bike lanes, including a protected bike path on 8th Avenue in Manhattan, the uptown-bound companion to the popular 9th Avenue path.
Indoor Bike Parking Rolls on Towards City Council
On March 4th the City Planning Commission approved an amendment to the Zoning Resolution that would require enclosed, secure bike parking be provided for new multi-family residential, community and commercial developments.
Tour de Bike Racks!
This summer David Byrne, musician, artist and biking enthusiast designed nine new bike racks which were fabricated by his gallery, PaceWildenstein.
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Quick Bit:
"I think that 21st-century cities are looking at their streets differently," Sadik-Khan says. "They're saying, 'We need a fresh look at how we're getting people around, and it's more than just pushing as many cars into a city as possible'."
Newsweek
March 9, 2009
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| New Bike Lanes Coming Soon |
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Spring's in the air and DOT is back at it, installing over 25 miles of new bike lanes this spring.
(photo: Avishai Weiss)
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This spring DOT will install over 25 miles of bike lanes, including a protected bike path on 8th Avenue in Manhattan, the uptown-bound companion to the popular 9th Avenue path.
The second phase of the 8th Avenue path will be completed in late spring creating a separated path from Jane Street to W. 23rd Street; the section between Jane Street and West 14th Street was completed last Fall. The project includes a nine-foot wide, one-way, signalized bike path with a four-foot buffer for cyclists. For the non-cyclists in the neighborhood DOT is creating new pedestrian refuge islands which will shorten crossing distances by 20-30 feet. We’ll also be greening the street by adding plantings as part of these islands.
Later this spring DOT will also install new bike lanes on Adam Clayton Powell Boulevard from 118th to 153rd Street. This will link existing lanes from Central Park all the way up to Macombs Dam Bridge, an important gateway to the South Bronx. The lane will provide local access to the shopping and cultural destinations in the heart of Harlem, as well as provide safe passage for cycling commuters coming to work in Harlem or heading to work near Yankee Stadium or the Gateway Center at Bronx Terminal Market. There are also 16 schools within a 1.9 mile project study area, and four DOT Priority Schools. The new lanes will provide valuable traffic calming to protect the students as they go to and from school, whether on bike or foot.
The Williamsburg bike network will grow by another 4.3 miles this spring as DOT adds lanes to both Grand Street and Driggs Avenue. This project continues to improve access to and from the Williamsburg Bridge where cycling than tripled between 2000 and 2007. The Grand Street lane also begins to build out a route that will eventually connect neighborhoods in central Queens to the East River Bridges.
New lanes will also be installed on the northern stretch of the Grand Concourse in the Bronx; Avenue A in the East Village, and North and South Railroad Avenues in Staten Island. Astoria will also be getting several new lanes that will help flesh out that neighborhood bicycle network and provide better access to the waterfront and the Queensboro Bridge. Keep up with the bicycle network expansion here.
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| Indoor Bike Parking Rolls on Towards City Council |
On March 4th the City Planning Commission approved an amendment to the Zoning Resolution that would require enclosed, secure bike parking be provided for new multi-family residential, community and commercial developments. The amendment would also apply to significant building enlargements (increasing the floor area by more than 50%) and residential conversions of non-residential buildings. This amendment would provide New Yorkers with a safe place to store their bikes and encourage more people to use bicycles for transportation, recreation and health.
The Planning Commission’s proposed amendment reflects input from Community Boards around the city, as well as comments from organizations, developers and the general public. Bike parking space would not count as floor area if they are provided in keeping with the standards put forth in the zoning amendment. The amendment is written to give developers some flexibility about how to provide bike parking, with the option for a waiver when sub-surface conditions or below-ground infrastructure make bike parking infeasible. And the amendment allows for waivers for subsidized housing if there is no available existing space and the cost of building secure parking would be prohibitive.
The City Council has a 50 day window (starting from March 4th) to vote on and finalize the measure.
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Tour de Bike Racks!
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 This summer David Byrne, musician, artist and biking enthusiast designed nine new bike racks which were fabricated by his gallery, PaceWildenstein. DOT installed these clever and innovative racks which add attractive, temporary art on the City's streets. The racks are at eight locations in Manhattan and one in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. These additions to New York's streets are eye-catching and original, but are constructed with durable material similar to that used in our current bike racks. NYC & Co. has developed a mini-guide to the rack locations. Or find them on Google Maps.
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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. The map 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 (available starting April 6) or order one for FREE by calling 311.
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Street Smart Cycling:
Do your part – follow the rules of the road. Cyclists must follow the same traffic rules as drivers, including stopping at red lights and stop signs and riding WITH traffic not against it. Following these rules, and signaling before you turn, makes it easier for drivers to see you and anticipate your moves, and keeps everyone safer.
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Quick Tip:
Whether you gave your bike the winter off or if you’ve been braving the elements, now is probably a good time to consider giving it a tune-up. Each time you ride give your bike an " ABC Quick Check". Make sure your tires have air, your brakes are working, your crank bolts are tight, your chain isn’t rusty, and isn’t slipping on your cassette, your quick releases are fastened tightly and then give the entire bike a check to make sure there are no loose parts or wear and tear. And here are some more thorough tune-up tips to ensure your bike's in great condition for spring. |
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Road and Bridge Closures
For information about street closures, sign up for weekly traffic advisories.
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Free Helmets
The DOT has distributed over 12,000 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. |
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. |
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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