More Bike Lanes Could Be Coming To Upper West Side, DOT Says
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Cyclists may soon have a new uptown route through the Upper West Side, as the Department of Transportation plans to unveil a redesign of Amsterdam Avenue to include a a parking-protected bike lane.
According to the DOT, the bike lane would run northbound on Amsterdam Avenue from West 72nd Street to West 110th Street. The plan also includes several safety islands to help make pedestrian crossings safer.
A southbound bike lane is already in place along partnering Columbus Avenue. As of September 2015, New York City has more than 1,000 miles of bike lanes.
The Citi Bike program expanded into the Upper West Side earlier this year. According to the DOT, Citi Bike hopes to expand uptown past West 130th Street by the end of 2017.
In 2013, local residents and businesses owners spoke out against proposed bike lanes on the busy avenue, citing concerns over limited parking space in lieu of the lanes -- which could be bad for business.
According to the DOT, cycling is a growing trend on the Upper West Side, with bike traffic increasing three-fold between 2007 and 2015.
The DOT said in a statement that if the proposal is approved, work can begin as early as Spring 2016, with the possibility of a future endeavor to expand the bike lanes down to West 65th Street.