Avoid the Post-Sandy Gridlock — Bike Tomorrow’s Commute

The p.m. commute today heading north on Eighth Avenue at 47th Street, where one of the city's newest protected bike lanes stretches through Midtown. Photo: Stephen Miller

After much of Manhattan seized into gridlock, Governor Cuomo and Mayor Bloomberg jumped into action a day late this afternoon with a transportation plan for New Yorkers. Even with the combination of HOV-3 restrictions, partially restored subway service and special bus routes ready for tomorrow morning’s commute, most New Yorkers will discover that — like today — their bike provides the fastest one-seat ride in the city.

If only there were a faster way to get around... Bike riders on West 65th Street this afternoon. Photo: Stephen Miller

Protected bike lanes throughout Manhattan were a blessing for bike riders today, who did not have to fight with gridlocked cars to keep moving, at least where the lanes have been installed.

Tomorrow morning from 8 to 11 a.m., Transportation Alternatives will host After-Sandy Commuter Support Stops for bike commuters at the Williamsburg Bridge, Manhattan Bridge, Queensboro Bridge and 26th Street at 6th Avenue, where volunteers and staff will be offering coffee, route guidance and assistance to riders.

Tomorrow evening from 5 to 7 p.m., the support stops will be available at 2nd Avenue and 9th Street at Veselka Restaurant, 5th Avenue and 25th Street, the Manhattan Bridge and the Williamsburg Bridge.

The West Side Greenway in Midtown was being used by joggers and bicycle riders this afternoon, though neither the New York City Parks Department, which manages the path north of 59th Street, nor the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation, which manages the park south of 59th Street, said it was officially open. However, Riverbank State Park, adjacent to the path on the Hudson River between 138th and 145th Streets, is one of three state parks that is officially open. The other two open state parks are East River State Park in Williamsburg and Gantry State Park in Long Island City.

If you are thinking of riding tomorrow but are unsure of the rules of the road, take a look at these tips from Dani Simons and DOT’s Bike Smart guide. You may also want to take a look at a list of bike shops that are open post-Sandy compiled by Brooklyn Spoke.

Source: http://www.streetsblog.org/2012/10/31/avoid-the-post-sandy-gridlock-bike-tomorrows-commute/

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