Cycling across Manhattan could be getting a whole lot safer and much more seamless very soon!
The New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) just announced a massive proposal to install a brand new two-way protected bike lane along the entire length of 72nd Street.
This highly anticipated project will finally close a glaring gap in the city’s cycling network, creating a direct and protected route linking the Hudson River Greenway to Central Park and eventually the East Side Greenway.
What the 72nd Street bike lane project entails
Right now, navigating 72nd Street on a bike can feel like a chaotic free-for-all.
To fix this, the NYC DOT has proposed taking West 72nd Street down from four vehicle traffic lanes to two.
The reclaimed street space will make way for a dedicated, parking-protected two-way bike lane on the north side of the street. It will run all the way from Riverside Boulevard directly to Central Park West.
The redesign also brings some serious pedestrian safety upgrades.
New additions include painted curb extensions, improved intersection visibility, and brand new concrete bus boarding islands. The DOT even plans to add neighborhood loading zones to cut down on the dreaded double parking that constantly clogs the crosstown corridor.
“Designs like this make our streets safer for everyone, whether you’re biking, walking, or driving,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn.
Why this crosstown connection matters
Cycling in NYC is absolutely booming right now.
According to the DOT, the city saw a record-breaking 620,000 daily cycling trips in 2023, which is a whopping 64% increase over the last decade.
But while the Upper West Side has plenty of north and south protected lanes, getting crosstown has always been a dangerous hassle for riders.
The new layout aims to keep everyone safer.
Protected bike lanes are proven to reduce risks for cyclists by 34%. Pedestrians benefit tremendously too, with fatalities and serious injuries dropping by nearly 30% on streets with protected lanes.
Support for the plan is already rolling in from all over the city.
Congressmember Jerry Nadler praised the initiative, stating that it will “reduce emissions by encouraging New Yorkers out of their cars” and close a long-standing gap in the protected lane network
Local advocates at Transportation Alternatives and Bike New York have also championed the redesign as a huge win for families, seniors, and daily commuters.
When will the 72nd Street bike lane be built?
Things are moving incredibly fast.
Manhattan Community Board 7’s transportation committee just voted 7 to 2 in favor of the West 72nd Street redesign earlier this week.
According to local reports from Streetsblog, the DOT indicated they intend to move forward with the project regardless of the full community board vote on May 1.
Here is a quick look at the timeline for the highly anticipated upgrades:
- Summer 2026: Implementation of the West 72nd Street portion could begin as early as this summer.
- Fall 2026: The NYC DOT expects to present a separate design proposal for the East Side portion of 72nd Street (between Fifth Avenue and York Avenue) to Community Board 8.
Once both sides are complete, New Yorkers will finally have a smooth, fully protected ride stretching from river to river!
