NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — The New York City Department of Transportation has constructed a record 28.6 lane miles of new protected bike lanes across all five boroughs in 2020, Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Tuesday.
Combined with another 35.2 miles of conventional bike lanes, 83 miles of car-free Open Streets, more than 10,800 Open Restaurants on city streets and sidewalk, and 16.3 miles of new bus lanes – another one-year record – the city’s streetscape was transformed more dramatically during 2020 than in any year in modern history.
“Our city has reimagined our streets as we’ve fought back the COVID-19 crisis. That means more space for restaurants and businesses, faster options for bus riders, and more ways than ever to accommodate the cycling boom with new protected bike lanes,” said de Blasio. “Record numbers of bike lanes and bus lanes will change our urban landscape forever – and, as we continue our fight to build a fairer and better city, we won’t stop here.”
The city’s total bike lane network is at 1,375 lane miles, 545 of which are protected miles, including nearly 170 miles on street.
The DOT also completed over 70 Street Improvement Projects across the boroughs and is on track to meet the Green Wave Plan goal of installing over 80 miles of protected bike lanes by the end of 2021, and adding 75 miles of bicycle infrastructure in Bicycle Priority Districts by 2022.
“As unprecedented as this year has been, I sincerely applaud everyone at DOT for being able to implement a record number of protected bike lanes this year,” said Acting DOT Commissioner Margaret Forgione. “We have seen a tremendous shift towards cycling during the COVID-19 pandemic and predict the trend will continue even after the city recovers, so it is imperative we continue growing our bike network and keep cyclists safe.”
Notable protected bike lane projects completed this year include:
Manhattan: (5.0 Protected Lane Miles)
Broadway from Barclay Street to Morris StreetCentral Park West from 77th Street to Frederick Douglass Circle5th Avenue from 110th Street to 120th StreetSt. Nicholas Avenue from 165th to 170th Street6th Avenue from 35th Street to Central Park South2nd Avenue from 43rd to 34th Street
Brooklyn: (9.1 Protected Lane Miles)
Tillary Street Phase IIFranklin Street, N 14th Street to Quay Street; Quay Street, Franklin Street to West StreetN. 14th Street from Franklin Street to Berry Street7th Avenue Southbound from Bay Ridge Parkway to 79th StreetFlatbush Avenue from Grand Army Plaza to Ocean AvenueSmith Street from State Street to Fulton Street4th Avenue from 15th Street to 60th Street4th Avenue from Flatbush Avenue to 1st Street
Queens: (9.5 Protected Lane Miles)
Cross Bay Boulevard from the Addabbo Bridge to East 6th RoadLaurel Hill Boulevard from 51st Avenue to 55th RoadCrescent Street from Queens Plaza North to Hoyt Avenue NorthCross Bay Boulevard from Van Brunt Road to West 20th Road
Bronx: (3.2 Protected Lane Miles)
Southern Boulevard from E Fordham Road to Mosholu ParkwayE.L. Grant HighwayBronx Park East at White Plains Road
Staten Island: (1.8 Protected Lane Miles)
Western Avenue, Gulf Avenue, Forest Avenue, Goethals Bridge Ped/Bike Connection