NYC DOT Proposes Protected Bike Lane for 72nd Street in Manhattan

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 15, 2026
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NYC DOT Proposes Protected Bike Lane for 72nd Street in Manhattan

Two-way protected bike lane would connect Central Park to both the Hudson River Greenway and the East Side Greenway

The project will dramatically improve safety for all road users and shorten pedestrian crossing distances at intersections across Manhattan

The current and proposed configuration of West 72nd Street, at Amsterdam Avenue, in Manhattan. Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK - New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the agency is proposing a two-way protected bike lane for the full length of 72nd Street in Manhattan. This key crosstown connection would create a link for cyclists to access the Hudson River Greenway, the protected bike lane network of the Upper West Side, and the Central Park drives, while increasing ridership and safety for everyone on the street. NYC DOT presented the proposed redesign to Manhattan Community Board 7 on Tuesday evening.

"Creating a protected, two-way bike lane on 72nd Street will finally deliver a safe, seamless crosstown connection between the Hudson River Greenway, Central Park, and the East Side Greenway-filling a major gap in Manhattan's cycling network," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "Designs like this make our streets safer for everyone, whether you're biking, walking, or driving. This proposal reflects our commitment to safer streets and meets the growing demand for cycling, making it easier for New Yorkers of all ages and abilities to get across Manhattan safely."

Protected bike lanes run north and south on multiple avenues on the Upper West Side, but do not connect the rest of the neighborhood to Riverside or Central parks. Cycling continues to be the fastest-growing transportation mode: the city recorded 620,000 daily cycling trips in 2023-a 64% increase over 10 years. NYC DOT compares cycling injuries per mile to estimated ridership to calculate what it calls "cycling risk." Protected bike lanes have shown to reduce risks for cyclists by 34% and, on the most dangerous streets, protected bike lanes reduce cyclist risk by more than 60%. Installing protected bike lanes increases bicycle volumes by 50%, as riders feel it is safer to travel along corridors with a dedicated and protected space for bikes. The proposal follows support from both Upper West Side and Upper East Side community boards for additional crosstown protected lanes on either side of the park.

NYC DOT expects to present a design proposal for the east side of Central Park, between Fifth Avenue and York Avenue, to Community Board 8 in fall 2026.

A map of the proposed protected bike lane route for 72nd Street in Manhattan. Credit: NYC DOT

W. 72nd Street Protected Bike Lane Proposal

Improving crosstown cycling connections was a key need identified in the 2024 Central Park Drives Safety & Circulation Study to create safer connections between Central Park the surrounding street grid. The W. 72nd Street protected bike lane would create a dedicated and safe space for cyclists traveling east and west and improve overall traffic safety without causing significant spillover traffic to neighboring streets.

The proposal would deliver a two-way parking protected bike lane along the north curb of W. 72nd Street from Riverside Boulevard to Central Park West, with left turn lanes installed where needed to better organize vehicle traffic. Signal and turn restriction changes will be added at intersections to accommodate the two-way bike lane and separate pedestrian and cyclist signal phases.

NYC DOT will update curb regulations to make it easier for drivers to find parking spaces in high-demand areas of the street and install neighborhood loading zones to reduce instances of double parking.

Pedestrian Safety Upgrades

Protected bike lanes have shown to reduce pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 29.2%--and the safety benefits are even greater for older pedestrians, for whom protected lanes reduce deaths and serious injuries by 39%. These protected bike lane designs offer tremendous safety benefits for pedestrians because they reduce the time it takes to cross the street-especially on wide corridors like 72nd Street.

The project would include painted curb extensions, and improved visibility at intersections across the corridor, along with a new bus boarding island to West 72nd Street and Central Park West.

NYC DOT plans to discuss the proposal with community stakeholders and refine as needed before moving forward.

"The proposed two-way protected bike lane on 72nd Street is welcome news for cyclists and pedestrians alike on the Upper West Side. Protected bike lanes make our streets safer for everyone, reduce emissions by encouraging New Yorkers out of their cars, and with 620,000 daily cycling trips citywide, the demand is clear," said Congressmember Jerry Nadler. "This critical crosstown connection will link riders to the Hudson River Greenway, Riverside Park, and Central Park - closing a long-standing gap in our protected lane network. I commend Commissioner Flynn and NYC DOT for this initiative, and I am proud to continue our fight for safer streets across Manhattan."

"RPA commends Commissioner Flynn on the agency's proposed two-way protected bike lane along the full length of 72nd Street in Manhattan," said Kate Slevin, Executive Vice President of Regional Plan Association (RPA). "As fewer cars clog Manhattan streets thanks to congestion pricing, even more New Yorkers are choosing to cycle to get around the City, and the additional protected bike lanes along 72nd will help not only protect their safety and achieve the Vision Zero goals of the agency but connect both the Upper East and Upper West Side communities to both Central Park and the Hudson River Greenway."

"We're thrilled to see DOT move forward with a two-way protected bike lane along the full corridor of 72nd Street, with pedestrian and bus improvements that will make it safer and easier to get from Riverside Park to the East River Greenway," said Emily Jacobi, Senior Organizer at Transportation Alternatives. "Since Central Park went car-free, our Manhattan Activist Committee has been fighting for safer connections from river to river and around the park. From protected bike lanes on Columbus Avenue, Amsterdam Avenue, and Central Park West, to safer street designs on West End Avenue and Broadway, we've seen what's possible when the city prioritizes our community's safety. We're excited to work with DOT to bring this vision to life so families, seniors, and commuters can count on 72nd Street as a safe, reliable connection across Manhattan."

"Today's announcement is a major step forward for a safer, more connected street network in Manhattan and reflects more than a decade of advocacy for a protected crosstown bike route on 72nd Street," said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. "For years, riders have been forced to navigate busy, high-risk streets without a direct, protected way to travel connecting the Hudson River Greenway, Central Park, and both the Upper West Side and Upper East Side. A two-way protected bike lane on 72nd Street will change that-creating a dedicated, predictable space for cyclists that reduces conflicts with cars and makes the corridor safer for everyone: cyclists, pedestrians, and drivers alike. The data is clear: protected bike lanes reduce injuries and save lives while giving more New Yorkers the confidence to ride. We commend NYC DOT for advancing this thoughtful, safety-driven investment and for working with advocates and community boards on both sides of Central Park to bring this long-discussed project closer to reality. This is exactly the kind of bold, safety-first thinking that will define the future of our city's streets."

"We're thrilled that these eagerly anticipated upgrades are finally coming to West 72nd Street," said Carl Mahaney, Director of StreetopiaUWS. "This corridor has suffered for far too long from an outdated design leftover from a regrettable era when cars were king. Not anymore. The proposed upgrades will be a significant improvement in safety, comfort, and function for everyone who uses this dynamic street, making it safer to get to and a more pleasant place to be-all while providing an important active transportation link between Central Park and Riverside Park, restoring the historic connection between these iconic green spaces."