City To Create Temporary Bike Paths During UN General Assembly

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — The city Department of Transporation will implement two temporary protected bike lanes on First and Second avenues near the United Nations when the body gathers for its General Assembly next week, city officials announced Monday.

The city's temporary bike lanes will stretch on First Avenue between East 40th and 49th streets and on Second Avenue between East 57th Street and East 41st streets, DOT officials said. In previous years, bike protections in the area were sacrificed to accommodate for the gridlock brought on by the general assembly.

About 6,000 cyclists utilize existing protected bike lanes on First and Second avenues every day, DOT officials said. In addition to preserving the bike protections, city officials urged drivers to use public transit during the general assembly.

"We commend NYCDOT and NYPD for keeping the vital 1st and 2nd Avenue protected bike lanes open during the General Assembly, ensuring safe passage for thousands of biking commuters," Transportation Alternatives Deputy Director Marco Conner said in a statement. "Walking, biking and public transit are the safest, healthiest and most environmentally sustainable transportation options."

Protected bike access on First Avenue will be preserved by re-routing cyclists through the First Avenue tunnel that stretches from East 40th to 49th streets. Cyclists will first have to pass a security checkpoint at East 39th Street due to the proximity to the United Nations building, transportation officials said.

On Second Avenue, the existing bike lane will be used as a "motorcade lane" for diplomats and dignitaries being shuttled to and from the United Nations. The parking and traffic lanes next to the existing bike lane will be re-purposed as the new temporary bike lane, transportation officials said.

"The U.N. General Assembly sees some of Manhattan's most congested days of the entire year, and we want to get the word out early to ask drivers to use alternatives," DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg said in a statement.

"Drivers should leave their cars at home next week if they can — and try walking, taking mass transit, or getting on a bicycle... And we want to thank our partners at NYPD for their creative collaboration this year that will allow safe protected bike lane access along First and Second Avenues."