Op-Ed: NYC Making Progress on Bike Network Access, Should Do More

2019 was the first year in which New York City's Department of Transportation kept affected bike lanes open during the UN's General Assembly. That should be a sign of things to come, advocates argue.

1 minute read

November 25, 2019, 5:00 AM PST

By Philip Rojc @PhilipRojc


New York Bike Signage

William Perugini / Shutterstock

"Every year — until this one — the city shuttered Manhattan's First and Second Avenue protected bike lanes 'in the 40s' during [the] United Nations General Assembly in September," write Laura Shepard and Jon Orcutt of Bike New York. "This year, however, the city maintained bike access on both avenues — by far the most important and heavily used East Side bicycle routes."

"The significance of the change goes well beyond two avenues during a week in September. It's a sign that city government is moving away from its practice of establishing bike lanes and then ignoring them," they continue.

They argue the city should double down on that policy. For example, DOT should consider bike network operation and maintenance a priority on par with street maintenance. And it should deploy a dedicated team to enforce bike access around construction sites. 

Finally, DOT needs to provide more notice to cyclists when routes close or conditions change, again on par with what it provides to drivers. "DOT issues dozens of street closure and detour notices for motorists every week; the agency must start thinking about other street users as part of this routine."

Friday, November 8, 2019 in StreetsBlog NYC

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 9, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Green vintage Chicago streetcar from the 1940s parked at the Illinois Railroad Museum in 1988.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails

Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

July 13, 2025 - WTTV

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3, 2025 - Governing

White park shuttles with large Zion logo on side and red rock cliffs in background in Zion National Park.

Since Zion's Shuttles Went Electric “The Smog is Gone”

Visitors to Zion National Park can enjoy the canyon via the nation’s first fully electric park shuttle system.

7 hours ago - Reasons to Be Cheerful

Chart of federal transportation funding comparing Biden and Trump administration spending.

Trump Distributing DOT Safety Funds at 1/10 Rate of Biden

Funds for Safe Streets and other transportation safety and equity programs are being held up by administrative reviews and conflicts with the Trump administration’s priorities.

July 15 - Transportation for America

Close-up on yellow and black TAXI sign on top of beige car in central Munich, Germany.

German Cities Subsidize Taxis for Women Amid Wave of Violence

Free or low-cost taxi rides can help women navigate cities more safely, but critics say the programs don't address the root causes of violence against women.

July 15 - Bloomberg