City Proposes 10th Avenue Bike Lane Extension In Hell's Kitchen

HELL'S KITCHEN, NY — City transportation officials are proposing extending an existing bike lane from the Upper West Side into Hell's Kitchen.

The Department of Transportation revealed plans this week to extend the Amsterdam/10th Avenue protected bike lane to West 52nd Street. The bike lane currently runs from West 110th Street to West 72nd Street.

The stretch of 10th avenue between West 52nd and 72nd streets has seen 277 traffic-related injuries, 16 severe, between 2012 and 2016. There have also been two cyclist fatalities, one at West 55th Street and another at West 72nd Street in the past six years. The stretch of road currently has no dedicated space for bicyclists, long pedestrian crossings and is notorious for speeding drivers, according to a DOT presentation.

The plan to extend the bike lanes on 10th Avenue will take one travel lane away from drivers and re-purpose it as a parking lane, which will serve as a physical barrier to separate the bike lane. Street-side parking will remain on the avenue's east curb and the bike lane will be installed on the avenue's west curb. The plan will also include pedestrian islands and left-turn lanes at dangerous intersections.

The extended bike lane will also be key in establishing a connected bike network on the west side of Manhattan, according to a DOT presentation. The 10th Avenue bike land will serve as a convenient northbound route for riders exiting the Hudson River Greenway on planned crosstown bike lanes on West 55th and 52nd streets.

Community Board 4's transportation committee unanimously approved the DOT's plan during a meeting this week, Streetsblog first reported. Community Board 7, which represents the Upper West Side, is expected to review the plan in July.

Check out the DOT's full presentation here.

Photo courtesy city Department of Transportation