Proposed protected bike lane across 72nd Street would connect Central Park to both rivers
UPPE WEST SIDE, Manhattan (WABC) -- A two-way protected bike lane across 72nd Street was proposed to Community Board 7 on Tuesday night as part of a larger plan to bike across the Upper West and East sides, from river to river.
The bike lane, protected by a lane of parked cars, would reduce the total number of motor-vehicle lanes on West 72nd Street from four to two.
A related proposal, which has not yet been finalized, would create a similar bike lane along East 72nd Street from between Fifth and York avenues. That will be presented to Commute Board 8 this fall.
Protected bike lanes run north and south on multiple avenues on the Upper West Side, but do not connect the rest of the neighborhood to Riverside or Central parks.
Officials with the Department of Transportation say this proposal will connect Central Park to both the Hudson River Greenway and the East Side Greenway.
The proposal would also improve safety for all road users and shorted pedestrian crossing distances at intersections across Manhattan, the DOT says.
DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said in a statement, "Creating a protected, two-way bike lane on 72nd St. will finally deliver a safe, seamless, crosstown connection between the Hudson River Greenway, Central Park and the East Side Greenway - filling a major gap in Manhattan's cycling network. This proposal reflects our commitment to safer streets and meets the growing demand for cycling, making it easier for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities to get across Manhattan safely."
However, some are concerned that the plan would mean fewer parking spots.
Lester Wasserman says the new design will make it harder for deliveries to be made to his store, Tip Top Shoes, and customers coming by car might not find parking nearby.
"It leaves us in a bit of a lurch, we have to figure out how to do it all over again," Wasserman said. "We're celebrating our 85th year in business and for the past 85, we've never had to to become city planners, so to speak. Everything worked."
But he might have to take the city's new plan in stride as it is set to go into effect this fall.
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