Press Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Release #15-096
September 22, 2015
Scott Gastel/Bonny Tsang (212) 839-4850
NYC DOT and NYC Parks Announce Completion of Over 1000 Miles in the City’s Bicycle Network
DOT is on pace to install over 12 miles of protected bike lanes in 2015, the highest number ever completed in one calendar year.
Later this year, DOT will begin the planning and outreach process to install a protected bike lane on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, between 14th Street and 33rd Street.
The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Polly Trottenberg and NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver today announced that New York City has reached over 1000 miles of the bike network, in all five boroughs. Nearly four out of every ten miles (38%) is protected from traffic, either on or off street, while an additional 37% of the network is comprised of exclusive bike lanes.
Commissioner Trottenberg and Commissioner Mitchell Silver were joined by State Senator Daniel Squadron, Council Members Margaret Chin, Ydanis Rodriguez, Ben Kallos, Mark Levine, Helen Rosenthal, Transportation Alternative Executive Director Paul Steely White, Bike New York President & CEO Ken Podziba, Citi Bike General Manager Jules Flynn, WE Bike Director Casey Ashenhurst, and Manhattan Community Board 3 Transportation Committee Chair Karen Blatt and representatives from the Two Bridges Neighborhood Council. To celebrate the occasion, some attendees biked to the event and then all were invited to paint the last portion of the protected bike lane green at Clinton Street in Lower Manhattan. DOT also installed a sign marking the lane as the historic completion of 1000 miles in the bike network throughout the five boroughs.
“With 1000 miles in the City’s bicycle network, we have reached a momentous milestone,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg. “From Queens Boulevard to Clove Road in West Brighton, Staten Island, the City is getting more innovative as we continue to expand the bicycle network, connecting neighborhoods and communities, and giving thousands of New Yorkers another option to travel to their destination.
“After years of dedicated effort, New York City’s biking grid now offers 1000 miles of bike lanes for cyclists across the five boroughs. Starting today, New Yorkers will have more designated biking space than ever before, with greater opportunities to joyride, exercise, and explore this beautiful City,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Mitchell J. Silver, FAICP.
In total, the City has reached 1010.2 miles in the bicycle network, including on-street and off-street bike facilities:
| Borough | Protected Lanes & Paths | Exclusive Bike Lanes | Shared & Signed Routes | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manhattan | 121.9 | 77.5 | 42.2 | 241.7 |
| Bronx | 64.9 | 61.6 | 47.6 | 174.1 |
| Brooklyn | 83.8 | 139.0 | 87.9 | 310.7 |
| Queens | 74.1 | 78.5 | 55.9 | 208.4 |
| Staten Island | 41.1 | 20.9 | 13.3 | 75.3 |
| Citywide | 385.8 | 377.5 | 246.9 | 1010.2 |
The route on Clinton Street, where today’s announcement was made, creates important link in the bicycle network, connecting Williamsburg Bridge and South Street, by the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway. Previously, cyclists riding to and from the bridge to Lower Manhattan used circuitous and complex routes. The new two-way bike lane makes a direct and simple connection and allows for cyclists to use the traffic free greenway path along the East River to connect to jobs and other attractions downtown. To design and implement the 8’ wide lane, DOT adjusted the configuration on nearly every block. The innovative design was developed with the input and support of the local community and serves to calm traffic on Clinton Street.
Additionally, Commissioner Trottenberg announced that the City is on track to build the most protected bike lanes ever in a calendar year. So far, DOT has implemented or upgraded over eight miles of protected bike lanes: Greenpoint Avenue Bridge, West 170th Street in Washington Heights, Fort George Hill, Vernon Boulevard, East 37th Street to East River Greenway, Seaview Avenue, Edgecombe Avenue, and Clinton Street. The following projects are in progress, with anticipated completion before the year is over: Queens Boulevard, Columbus Avenue, and 1st Avenue in Manhattan. With these eleven projects, the DOT anticipates completing over 12 miles of protected bike lanes before the year’s end.
The DOT recently started construction on the Pulaski Bridge, with anticipated completion in 2016. This connects the growing neighborhoods of Long Island City in Queens and Greenpoint in Brooklyn and has had a 106% growth in cyclist volume since 2009. DOT also began work on Bruckner Boulevard, which will provide a vital connection from Hunts Point to Randall’s Island’s Island. This one mile stretch is anticipated to be complete next year as well.
Looking ahead, the DOT will begin the planning and outreach process to install a protected a bike lane on Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, between 14th Street and 33rd Street, a 0.9 mile stretch. This portion represents a critical portion in the Manhattan bike network, providing a safer connection from midtown Manhattan to Chelsea. Further, as Citi Bike’s network continues to expand, DOT will continue discussions with local communities to build out the networks in those neighborhoods, including Long Island City and upper Manhattan.
“1,000 miles of bike network access is a move towards safer streets, roads, and more transportation options for more New Yorkers,” said State Senator Daniel Squadron. “I look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Transportation, the community and my colleagues, to continue to improve our roadways for all users.”
“Alternate forms of transportation are crucial to the development of our city – particular in highly congested areas such as Lower Manhattan,” said Council Member Margaret Chin. “Every trip made by bicycle takes a car off our crowded roadways and helps us achieve our goal of a cleaner environment for all New Yorkers. I congratulate city DOT, my fellow elected officials and advocates for helping our city achieve this important milestone.”
“Transportation is the lifeblood of New York and our vast system is what sustains us as the thriving city we are today. Making this network safer gives New Yorkers the peace of mind to use more options as they go from A to B. I applaud Commissioner Trottenberg for greatly expanding a safe network of bike lanes, giving more and more of my neighbors a safe, easy and efficient way to keep New York rolling,” said Assemblyman Sheldon Silver.
“Brooklyn is proud to be home to the longest portion of New York City’s bicycle network, with over 300 miles of protected lanes to keep our growing ridership moving,” Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams. “As an avid cyclist, I appreciate the emphasis that DOT Commissioner Trottenberg and the City are putting on street safety for all, and I look forward to working on continued efforts that will advance bike usage across our borough.”
“Expanding our bike network is essential to ensuring bike share is implemented equitably and throughout our city. Congratulations to the Department of Transportation on their achievement today, with this success we combat transportation inequality and champion safe biking and streets,” said Council Member Ydanis Rodriguez.
“Bike lanes are making it safer for pedestrians, bikers, and drivers to share the streets by minimizing conflicts,” said Council Member Ben Kallos who joined in the ride. “Congratulations to Mayor de Blasio and DOT Commissioner Poly Trottenberg on this milestone of 1,000 miles in the bike network that will make it safe to use the street and improve commutes for all New Yorkers.”
“Every day we see more and more New Yorkers embracing bicycling as an alternative mode of transportation. Bicycling offers convenient commutes, healthy exercise, and benefits to our environment that help make our city more livable. The 1,000 mile mark is undoubtedly a proud milestone and is an example of our commitment to a robust city-wide bike network,” said Council Member Mark Levine.
“Today is a exciting milestone for cyclists in New York City. It is now easier than ever for cyclists to get around the city safely, and I want to thank Mayor Bill de Blasio and Commissioner Polly Trottenberg for their commitment to safe streets and Vision Zero,” said Council Member Helen Rosenthal.
“This is a milestone New Yorkers should be proud of. Since the 1997 Bike Master Plan envisioned 1800 miles of lanes, the City has made significant progress building infrastructure and support for biking as a central part of the transportation system,” said Paul Steely White, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Now, to meet Mayor de Blasio’s goals of Vision Zero and of doubling bicycling volume by 2020, the City needs to focus not just on creating more lane miles, but on building the protected bike lanes that communities across the five boroughs are demanding more than ever.”
“New York has proven that the more bicycling is perceived as safe, comfortable and convenient, the more people will ride,” said Jay Walder, CEO of Motivate, the operators of Citi Bike. “With the 1000th mile of bike lane there is no doubt that bicycling is a serious option for New Yorkers to get around.”
“Throughout history, city streets have played host to commerce, conversation, recreation, and revolution. They have been places in which people could come together and be together. Only relatively recently were these public spaces ceded almost exclusively to automobiles,” said Ken Podziba, President & CEO of Bike New York. “This 1000th mile of bike lane makes manifest Mayor de Blasio and Commissioner Trottenberg’s commitment to re-democratizing the streets for the sake of the safety of all New Yorkers, the goals of Vision Zero, the health of our planet, and the well-being of our communities.”
“The DOT and the City has taken great strides to improve and increase bike infrastructure in NYC and WE’re so excited to see NYC reach this 1000 mile milestone. WE Bike NYC’s mission is to get more women to ride bicycles (or ride their bicycles more), and having a reliable and safe bike infrastructure in place is a huge indicator for increasing female ridership,” said Casey Ashenhurst, Director of WE Bike. “WE look forward to see this network continue to grow, especially in the outer boroughs, as well as the next 500 miles of bike lanes!”
“Community Board 3 is very pleased to support DOT’s installation of bike lanes and to help promote cycling and other alternative modes of transportation. Lower Manhattan is one of the most congested areas of New York City and building a safe bicycle network to encourage cycling is a sustainable way to support its growth,” said Karen Blatt, Chair of Transportation Committee of Community Board 3. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with DOT and our elected officials to ensure that our transportation network is properly maintained, designed for optimal safety and operates efficiently for all modes of transportation.”
“Two Bridges Neighborhood Council applauds Department of Transportation’s efforts to incorporate new, safe bicycling infrastructure throughout our neighborhood. The Clinton Street bike lane and future protected bike lanes on South Street are helping reconnect the community to its waterfront,” said Kerri Culhane of Two Bridges Neighborhood Council.
The de Blasio administration has added 77 miles to the bike network since 2014, with 27 of those miles installed this year.
To learn more about the DOT’s work in expanding and upgrading the City’s bike network, visit www.nyc.gov/dot.
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