NYC proposes new 63-block bus-only lane

Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the New York City Department of Transportation unveiled a proposal on Friday for a 63-block dedicated bus lane on Sixth Avenue from Soho to Midtown, and a widened bike lane running over 23 blocks. As reported by 6sqft, the lane would improve safety and speed the corridor, which currently serves more than 51,000 daily bus riders on four local and 27 express routes.

"Despite that high usage, buses move as slowly as 3.5 miles per hour—the average walking speed. Express buses can slow to as little as 4.2 miles per hour during evening peak hours.The avenue is also designated a Vision Zero priority corridor, meaning it ranks among the highest in pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in Manhattan. Bus and bike lane upgrades would improve safety by improving traffic flow along the corridor," 6sqft reports.

The upgrade would also include new painted curb extensions, pedestrian islands, and “turn-calming treatments” that would shorten crossing distances and slow turning vehicles. "Similar redesigns on Third Avenue were shown to increase bus speeds by up to 14 percent, while injuries decreased by 28 percent."