Grand Street Protected Bicycle Path
Oct 18th, 2008Streets Blog has confirmed that the existing Grand Street bike lane between Varick and Chrystie is being replaced with a protected bicycle path.  The bike path will be located on the far right of the street separated from traffic by a 3 foot curb and is the first cross town bike route separated from traffic. More info in the DOT proposal (PDF).
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[...] Grand Street Protected Bicycle Path, NYC Bike Maps Streets Blog has confirmed that the existing Grand Street bike lane between Varick and Chrystie is being replaced with a protected bicycle path. [...]
This is a great bike lane, it really has slowed the traffic on Grand by a ton.
- T
http://MostEmailedNews.com
Very encouraging. What is going to occupy the buffer zone? Will cyclists be able to safely cross the buffer, at least at certain intervals, if required? I imagine this is a two-way path. Will faster cyclists be able to pass the slower ones?
This is a start, I suppose, but its use is quite limited. Long term, there should be a long path (or two) like this going north and south covering the whole island, as well as one of them every few blocks going east/west. That way, the paths are reasonably accessible from anywhere on the island. Biking would be much more viable, and safer. Only then could biking truly become mainstream, and cut down significantly on gridlock and pollution.
International cities, such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen, should be looked to for inspiration.
This is the worst bike lane in the city.
point number 01 – do not mix cyclists and pedestrians. The sidewalks in SoHo are already at their minimum width in most areas – these bike lanes become populated with pedestrians and tourists that have absolutely no idea of their surroundings. This situation is much more dangerous to cycle around than cars moving in one direction.
point number 02 – if I am cycling in this lane and something/someone gets in my way and I cannot stop fast enough – where do I go? hit the parked car to my left? or the curb to my right? I have a total of like 5′ to react so either way I’m screwed.
point number 03 – Grand street runs through Chinatown – Chinatown is definitely not the cleanest place in Manhattan. Trash often overflows from the sidewalk right into the bike lane. seriously we’re riding in the gutter here, its not fun anywhere in new york – it contains sewer drains and grates, manhole covers, rotten fruit! – all things that could easily cause an accident.
point number 04 – cars can’t see you! so when you come to an intersection OH! theres a freakin bike, now I have to jamb my brakes on so I can make a right turn. not fun if you’re on the biker’s end of the deal – I’ve almost been taken out a couple times this way.
I’ve given up riding in this bike lane. I continue to piss off cabbies and delivery trucks. please DOT just put the bike lanes next to traffic so I have some options and am visible to the vehicles so they don’t forget we’re here.
I agree with the posts above–this bike lane is horrendous and has turned Grand Street into a pollution dense, traffic clogged, honking nightmare. Walking through the area on a Sunday evening at 7pm is like walking through the Lincoln Tunnel at 5pm on a Thursday evening and this insanity makes me dread patronizing any of the businesses in the area. I fully support being green and reforming our abuses of this planet but in a city where gridlock is already a massive problem and in an area of that city that is already unbearably congested with Broome St. traffic into the Holland Tunnel and Center St./Kenmare St. traffic onto the Williamsburg bridge–this lane has made the neighborhood unbearable and literally painful to ones lungs, ears, and eyes. Its infruriating.
Why has no one considered pathying over some subway tracks and creating
and UNDERGROUND bike path…that could be used year round. Heated in
winter and cooled in summer.
It would solve a lot of polution and economic problems and keep New Yorkers
heatly – with safe, and fast transportation. TELL THE MAYOR – if you like this idea.
@Nigel – Great idea! And Times Square should have a huge fountain that jets liquid chocolate 200 ft in the air!
Hi,
I found your blog on google and read a few of your other posts. I just added you to my Google News Reader. Keep up the good work. Look forward to reading more from you in the future.
Regards,
Jane
I’ve been looking through your site and I am glad to see that someone is documenting bike paths. Anything that can help keep bicyclists safe from being hit by motor vehicles is helpful.
Thanks for the good work.
Joseph