Central Park West Bike Lane Will Be Expanded to 110th in the Coming Weeks, City Says
A bike lane stretching from 59th to 110th Street on Central Park West currently stops at 77th Street, but the Department of Transportation expects to extend it to 110th in a few weeks, reps said at a meeting this week. As Streetsblog first reported, the avenue was resurfaced and is now getting crosswalk markings prior to getting the lanes painted on.
“The lane markings and crosswalks are being installed this week where the roadway was resurfaced,” a DOT official told members of Community Board 7 this week. “Additionally, we plan to begin installing the protected bike lane in the coming weeks.”
Parking will be removed from on the east side of the avenue to accommodate the lane. The loss of parking spots was one reason the lane was controversial last year, and it was briefly stalled by a lawsuit. The first section — from 59th to 77th — was completed last fall. It was expected to be completed in the spring, but the pandemic slowed progress.
The city has been adding more bike lanes and open streets to give people new ways to get around and spend time outside amid the pandemic.
hooray! The road is so much safer with the separation from the cars
Any word on the police barricades at the bottom of CPW and when those will be coming down? This bike lane is much less useful when you can’t get to it because of the iron barricades at Columbus Circle.
Thanks. It’s dangerous as hell on a bike around columbus circle – not to mention a waste of police resources “guarding” that ridiculous Trump hotel. Should rename the damn thing and save us all money.
This is a good first step, and we are getting there, but eventually the entire avenue should be car free.
There is really no reason to have cars on more than one or two of the North-South avenues.
The 1811 Grid Plan left us with a shortage of avenues – wouldn’t it make more sense to keep the avenues open for traffic and transition the side streets away from cars?
Entire ave can not be free of cars, people live on and right off this ave.
spoken like someone who enjoys the privilege of being able-bodied.
Why is every parking lot in the country required to provide ADA accessible handicap spots – but New York streets aren’t? People cite handicap access as a reason to oppose changing anything about the way our streets work (for example removing parking), but our streets are already less accessibility friendly than the every suburban strip mall. It makes you think their concern are less about helping the disabled than it is with protecting free parking. If we want to improve accessibility access on our streets we can start by setting aside the standard 1 in 25 spaces for handicap placards. Fighting to protect a disability unfriendly status quo should be seen as the smokescreen it really is.
Good news! That’s my commuting lane. Or was, before, you know. And will be again, fate permitting!
We’ve been waiting long enough for it… as for the pedestrian crossings to be painted back on the street so that drivers will not park their car right in front of the curb ramp.
Down with Cars. CPW has felt very unsafe with no line markings whatsoever. Cars waiting for red lights in bike lanes and crosswalks. I wouldn’t even think about riding at night, no idea how there hasn’t been an issue with all the delivery guys biking on it.
Whoa. You’ve managed to conflate multiple issues in just a few sentences. This is both impressive and confounding.
OH MY GOD!!!!! THIS IS GREAT NEWS!!!!
Another 5-yr plan trudges toward Bethlehem. The Righteous enjoy the Mirror of Erised. If only motorcycles (aka ebikes, etc.), were such a sure ride to Nirvana.
I’m a 64-year-old veteran NYC cyclist and longtime member of Transportation Alternatives, which has campaigned long and hard to bring about safe cycling infrastructure on this dangerous, car-clogged corridor. This is a victory for environment, public health and morale amid an ongoing and oppressive pandemic. In the name of equity and environmental justice, the City must now aggressively move to extend this benefit to communities throughout our neighboring boroughs. More than ever, NYC kids and their families want to ride bicycles, and they need and deserve safe streets in their neighborhoods. Their City needs to come through for them.
Ok, so I have a question for everyone who prefers biking. Do you use Citibikes or is it more convenient to have a bike of your own, and if so what type would you recommend for someone who’s a little shaky at this point? I’ve been working on my health the past 4 months and think I might be able to manage a cross town trip to work and back. I still completely confused about the locations to cross the park near 72nd street to Madison though. Any suggestions? 🙂
I started on a Citibike years ago which are perfect for commuting as long as you are not going too far. They are far cheaper than buying even a decent bike. Plus you don’t have to worry about theft or repairs. Recently I bought a bike because I wanted to be able to take longer rides and go outside the current network. That’s when I realized the downside to the bikes: heavy, clunky, gear and brake issues, need to adjust seat, and slowness. Overall though if you are uncertain about your goal start with the Citibike. Re biking through the Park, enter at 72nd. The Park drive is one way all the way around EXCEPT crosstown at 72nd where it is two way. BUT be very careful where the crosstown and the circuit meet–traffic pre-pandemic at least–could be scary.
Thank you so much for the feedback, I really appreciate it. Especially the info about the one-way bike route on 72nd. I had no idea! I’m assuming there are no cars, but are pedestrians allowed there? I will definitely give Citibike a try. 🙂
I’d suggest finding a map of CP on line which will show you the pathway from 72&CPW to 5th Avenue – it’s a combination of S-curves and easier to see on a map than describe.
I’ll do that, thank you! I tried walking from 5th to B’way but left the path at one point because I thought it would be quicker in a straight line and got completely turned around, lol.
Citibike is great for commuting, but of course this depends a lot on your location. For me, Citibike can be frustrating because I have to walk about 4.5 blocks to get to the rack, and even though the app says there are bikes, when I get there there’s not. Then it’s another 3/4 blocks to next one. But when it works, it’s great. And I never have that problem coming home. (I mean, you know, before the world ended LOL)
Citibikes are great for beginners, especially if you dont need to go up hills. A beginner will coast down a hill, so that’s not a problem. To go across town, a Citibike should be all you need. I use my own bike for the most part, but I have a place to store it in both sides of the trip. That is one of the great benefits of Citibike- you don’t have to worry about where you leave it.
As someone else said, the 72nd street cross is fairly simple. Pedestrians have a sidewalk on both sides and usually stay on them, and there are a couple of crosswalks you will pass.
If and when you decide you want your own bike, hit up a good bike shop (try Renaissance on 80th and Columbus or BikesNYC on 79th and 3rd) and they will go over with you types of bikes, benefits, and prices. But right now, no one really has bikes in stock due to the pandemic.
It really took them long enough. If only they would add blinking yellow traffic lights at pedestrian crossings like on the Prospect Park West bike lane. That one just works so well…
So when are they going to do the same on Amsterdam between 72 and 79? been without and street markings for weeks.
I don’t mind the bike lanes because I ride a bike, but as a pedestrian, I wish cyclists would go the right way. I can’t tell you how many times me and my dogs have almost been hit by a cyclist going the wrong way.
I second that. It is scary and infuriating! I’m a bike rider as well.
Crap. Now the cops at the 24th are going to triple park their cars all over 100th Street (that street hasn’t been cleaned since the Dinkins administration).