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 This is the NYC.gov News You Requested for: "Bicycle Updates" |
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NYCycles - The Official Newsletter of NYC DOT's Bike Program
Quick Bit:
Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and DOT Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan recently announced that the Green Light for Midtown pilot initiative to improve traffic and safety at Times and Herald Squares will be made permanent. "The bottom line is overall traffic in midtown has improved and New Yorkers and city businesses are benefiting from a Times and Herald Square that are safer, more exciting destinations," said Mayor Bloomberg. Watch a short film about this project.
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A debate has long raged in the cycling community ��� do helmets make cyclists safer or does the extra burden of wearing one discourage cycling? Here in New York, helmets are required for cyclists 13 years old or younger���and strongly encouraged for all adults. Helmets can���t prevent a crash but studies show they can mean the difference between life and death if you have one.
DOT makes an effort to make bike helmets accessible to all New Yorkers, and has distributed over 23,000 free NYC Helmets over the past four years (see below for how to schedule a fitting). DOT can also teach you how to properly fit your helmet, which is crucial to ensuring that it provides maximum protection in case of a crash or fall.
Always wear a helmet whenever you ride, and always buckle the chin strap. The helmet should sit level on your head, about two finger-widths above your eyebrow. Make sure the straps are snug ��� only about two fingers should fit beneath the chin strap. Helmets should fit snugly on your head and not rock side-to-side. Use the foam pads that came with your helmet or the internal adjustor to fine tune your fit.
Replace your helmet after any crash and whenever you see signs of damage.
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Events
First Avenue/Second Avenue Select Bus Service Open House
Thursday, March 24 6:00-8:30 pm
Temple Israel of the City of New York, Ballroom
112 East 75th Street, New York, NY (between Lexington Ave. & Park Ave.), Manhattan
MTA New York City Transit (NYCT) and the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) are partnering to implement Select Bus Service (SBS) along the M15 bus route in Manhattan. Select Bus Service will offer off-board fare collection, dedicated bus and bicycle lanes, and low-floor, three-door articulated buses, among other elements. NYCT and DOT will be holding Open Houses in March to give you a chance to:
* Learn about the SBS project and proposed station locations
* View design plans for the corridor
* Provide your input and talk with project team members
Please stop by at any point between 6:00-8:30 pm.
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Bike New York is probably most famous for their annual 5 Boro Bike Tour ��� but did you know this non-profit also offers a variety of free classes to help you get to know your bike, learn basic repairs and adjustments, and ride confidently and safely in traffic? Bike New York's classes teach these skills to adults and children alike. Customized programs are available for youth groups, community organizations, educators, and workplaces. Click here for a list of upcoming classes and information on scheduling workplace trainings.
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In February, Mayor Bloomberg announced that DOT���s Green Light for Midtown project would be made permanent, and that the plazas in Times and Herald Squares are here to stay. The project was created to improve mobility and safety in midtown Manhattan and was extensively monitored and studied by the DOT. Mobility improved for cars and buses: travel speeds for northbound trips throughout West Midtown improved 17% from fall 2008-2009, compared with 8% in East Midtown and more modestly, travel speeds for southbound trips in West Midtown fell by 2% while East Midtown showed an increase of 3%.
And safety improvements were even more dramatic. In the short pilot period injuries to motorists and passengers in the project area were down 63% and pedestrian injuries fell 35%. There is now more space for pedestrians and as a result, fewer people walking in the roadway. The project has also created a protected bike path from Columbus Circle all the way down to 23rd Street. New bicycle traffic signals give both cyclists and motorists their own dedicated turning time. Interestingly bicycle injuries ticked up slightly (from an average of 11 before the project to 12 after).This might be noise in the data, or it might be the result of cyclists failing to yield to cars and pedestrians who are dealing with new traffic patterns themselves. For veteran cyclists who want a faster ride, adjacent avenues might be a better bet. This protected path is beneficial to more relaxed riders, newer cyclists and tourists who are beginning to venture out from Central Park onto New York City streets. Cyclists on Broadway (just like every street) should yield to pedestrians and obey all traffic signs and signals.
You can watch a short film about the project here.
And find out more about the project here.
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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.
2010 Cycling Map Coming Soon!
 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, or look for one starting in mid-April at your local bike shop or order one for FREE by calling 311.
Safety Tip :
Biking in wet weather is not so different from driving in wet weather. Braking times will be longer, so ride slowly and practice braking so you get used to the difference. |
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Quick Tip:
Fenders. It is worth the $15-25 for a set to keep your pants (and bottom) clean and dry if you get caught out in the rain or want to ride on wet streets after the rain is over. |
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Road and Bridge Closures
For information about street closures, sign up for weekly traffic advisories. |
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. |
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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