Sands Street Gets a Sassy, Center-Median Cycletrack

Chalk up more bikeway innovation to the folks at the NYC Department of Transportation. Now nearly complete, the Sands Street approach to the Manhattan Bridge is now safer and more enjoyable thanks to a first-of-its-kind in NYC: a center-median, two-way, protected bike path. Frankly, the facility is a perfect solution to counter the dangers posed by a tangle of roads and highway on-ramps that burden the area. Dramatic before and afters tell the delicious story.

We'll also take you back into the archives to April 2005, when following a severe injury to Transportation Alternatives' then Deputy Director Noah Budnick, advocates held a passionate rally to ask Mayor Bloomberg to not only improve bike access to the Manhattan Bridge, but to all East River Bridges. Four years later, there's much to be proud of. As Ryan Russo, NYC DOT Assistant Commissioner for Traffic Management points out, back in 2005 about 800 cyclists used the bridge daily. In 2009, those numbers have soared to over 2600. That gives us a serious case of happiness.

http://twitter.com/dudeonabike dudeonabike

That is downright awesome. But whenever I see that type of amazing progress in other cites, it makes me so frustrated--as it tends to do little more than reaffirm that LA is stuck in the stone-age transportation-wise. Some of our elected leaders have said just that, but even still, where's the beef? Looking forward to seeing this in LA in my lifetime....
http://www.livablestreets.com/people/mepstein8 Mike Epstein

Love the illegal and dangerous left turn in the background at 0:28.
http://www.livablestreets.com/people/futurebird Susan Donovan

I love this!!! Great video too!
Shrinkage

Egads! A mountable curb!! Hmmmm....

Okay seriously, that is a nice job. Hopefully other cities will continue to learn from Streetfilms.
Rick D.

About 5 years ago I remember walking from Juniors to and across the Brooklyn Bridge. It was a weekend, but I remember the tangle of streets.

Good job, TA!
http://cartky.org Dave in KY

The "sidewalk level" to the unseperated section sure doesn't look very wheelchair accessible with all those lamp posts in the middle of the sidewalk. What's the story there?
http://www.galfromdownunder.com Galfromdownunder

Cool bananas Clarence! Hey, your Bike Friday matches your t-shirt matches your e-corporate livery here. Very metrosexual.
Here's a bit of ancient history about Clarence and his BF:
http://community.bikefriday.com/2006/10/clarenceeckerson

I recall riding a similar center bike thruway somewhere in Portland ... I am sure readers will be able to tell me where it is ... felt a bit like entering the star chamber a la 2001 a Space Odyssey.
Pat

Clarence,

Pat from Chicago here. What a great addition to cycling in New York. I have posted a link to your post on the Chicago Active Transportation Alliance blog.

I hope someone in Chicago picks up the ball on this one.
Ian

After many years in NYC, I live in Holland, likely the most bike friendly place in the world. I think the DOT should send a team to the Netherlands to see how it can be done. There are bike paths everywhere here and the road is shared not only with cars and pedestrians, but with trams as well.

Congratulations to NY for taking the first important steps to helping all New Yorkers to a greener, more healthy and more fun future!!
http://www.livablestreets.com/people/justinleemiller Justin Lee Miller

I love it! I haven't tried it yet, but from the video, it's the kind of thing that's needed in the place it's needed. Most cities put in bike lanes on pleasant empty streets, not where the traffic is difficult to maneuver for bikes.
Brodie Costigan

I like turtles.

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