Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Bike Lanes: Killing Business, Confusing Drivers, Motivating City Council
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 4, 2011
Modified Nov 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
John Del Signore
Published Nov 4, 2011
Modified Nov 4, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
The City Council passed legislation yesterday requiring the DOT to notify Community Boards whenever it plans to install bike lanes. Some cycling advocates view the legislation as superfluous red tape, because it's been standard practice for the DOT to hold CB hearings prior to the installation of most bike lanes. "It's bizarre that bike lanes alone would be singled out for extra requirements," says Transportation Alternatives' spokesman Michael Murphy. "That implies political considerations are being prioritized over safety."
The new law will require the DOT to notify the appropriate Community Board 90 days before work on a bike lane begins, and to make a presentation if so requested. "I don't think it's anti-bike to make sure that local neighborhoods have input as to where bike lanes go," City Councilman James Vacca told NY 1. But another Transportation Alternatives rep, Caroline Samponaro, counters, "By singling out bike lanes and burdening the community board with an additional meeting that isn't doing anything different than the other meetings that happen, we see it as a way to just slow down safety improvements."
However, the DOT supported the bill, which, according to a city spokesman, simply "codifies what has been standard practice and has already brought community supported projects citywide. Projects like Prospect Park West, Columbus Avenue, 1st and 2nd avenues and others in fact exceeded the bill’s requirements, with community board requests, open houses, supporting resolutions and widespread elected support."
But enough with the informed opinions! NY1 got some classic quotes from residents on the Upper West Side, where the Columbus Avenue bike lane has been criticized. "For the past couple years, I slowly see them come out of nowhere," observed one unidentified local. "Like one day I see a bike lane." Another man on the street opined, "The way it is right now, the economy is not too good. So we don't have too many business [sic], and they don't stop like they did before because before we used to have more parking available." (In response to community feedback, the DOT added more parking/loading zones.)
The best quote, perhaps, comes from another area resident who says, "Sometimes if you're a driver, sometimes if I'm driving, it's a little confusing when the road is divided." Yeah, why can't the DOT keep it simple and just get rid of all these confusing lines in the road?
Tagged
bike lanes
City Council
columbus avenue bike lane
cyclists
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Inside the Midtown Bus Terminal rebuild: Decks over Lincoln Tunnel approach, a new park
The new deck will be used to store buses and supplies while crews tear down and rebuild the Midtown bus terminal. Once the project wraps, the space will be converted into a new park.
By
Ramsey Khalifeh
Published Oct 23, 2026 at 3:44 p.m. ET
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
The broker accidentally sent them a text that said "Ugh, they're Black," according to the suit.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Black couple seeking Queens apartment sues over racist text from broker
The broker accidentally sent them a text that said "Ugh, they're Black," according to the suit.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
NJ early voting begins Saturday. Here's everything you need to know.
By
Mike Hayes
Countdown clocks are coming to an NYC bus stop near you
By
Stephen Nessen
Are NJ schools unconstitutionally segregated? It's back to the courts to decide.
By
Colleen O'Dea
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .