Cycling News
Innovative Designs Along the Manhattan Waterfront Greenway

Intersection of Dyckman Street, the Harlem River Speedway and 10th Avenue.

The Manhattan Waterfront Greenway marks the first time that New York City has used a physically separated bike lane leading to a greenway path, a reverse-flow bike lane, bicycle traffic signals at a greenway entrance and an advanced waiting area for cyclists at an intersection ("bike box"). These designs have proved to be effective in bicycle-friendly United States cities like Portland (OR), Berkeley, Madison and Cambridge, and large European cities like London, Paris and Amsterdam.
Kudos to the New York City Departments of Transportation, Parks and City Planning and State Department of Transportation for implementing these designs!

Bicycle traffic signal linking a bike lane and greenway
The bicycle traffic signal makes this complicated intersection safer and less confusing for bicyclists, pedestrians and motorists. The bicycle-only phase allows greenway users to get to and from the path without worrying about crossing motor vehicle traffic.

Future uses: Chambers Street at West Street, 23rd Street at 12th Avenue, Forest Park Greenway at Myrtle Avenue (Queens).

Harlem River Greenway entrance at 155th Street and the Harlem River Drive.

Physically separated on-street bike lane
At this entrance, the City installed a bicycle lane that is separated from motorist traffic by concrete barriers. The barriers give bicyclists extra protection and guidance when riding to and from the greenway. This is a particularly good location for a physically separated bike lane because speeding motorists are not necessarily looking for bicyclists as they drive onto the Harlem River Drive.

Future uses: 6th Avenue between 34th and 35th Streets (east side of Herald Square), Manhattan side of Queensboro Bridge, East New York Avenue between Eastern Parkway and Highland Park.

FDR Service Road in the East 20s.

Reverse-flow bike lane on a one-way street
On the northbound service road there is a southbound reverse-flow bike lane that connects the greenway between the Water Club and the East River Greenway at 24th Street. This lane allows bicyclists to ride safely and legally against the flow of motor vehicle traffic. The lane is physically separated from oncoming motor vehicle and bicycle traffic by a concrete barrier.

Future uses: Delancey Street from the Williamsburg Bridge to the East River Greenway, West Broadway from Grand to Walker Street, Brooklyn side of the Williamsburg Bridge (South 5th Street between Kent Street and South 5th Place).

120th Street at 2nd Avenue.

Advanced waiting area for bicyclists at an intersection ("bike box")
On the west side of the intersection, the DOT installed a "bike box" between the motorist stop line and the crosswalk. This six-foot "bike box" allows bicyclists to cue ahead of motorists at red lights, giving cyclists extra space and time to get up to speed and position themselves in the bike lane across the intersection.
Future uses: Clinton and Joralemon Streets (Brooklyn), 6th Avenue at 42nd Street, Centre Street at Chambers Street.

Manhattan Waterfront Greenway Supporters

Transportation Alternatives l East Coast Greenway Alliance l Environmental Defense l Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance l Municipal Arts Society l Natural Resources Defense Council l Neighborhood Open Space Coalition l New York League of Conservation Voters l NYPIRG/Straphangers Campaign l Regional Plan Association l Tri-State Transportation Campaign

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