In the winter edition of Transportation Alternatives magazine, T.A. released “Making the Grade in 2001,” its fifth annual report on bicycling in NYC.The report gives an unprecedented A grade for improvements in cycling conditions and an A- to government efforts in that category.Last year's marks were B and B-, respectively.

The report praises the City for completing two major projects last year: opening the Manhattan Bridge bicycle and pedestrian path and finishing the Hudson River Greenway.T.A. also credits Dept. of Transportation Commissioner Iris Weinshall's interest in cycling and the DOT Bike Program's renewed energy for the high marks.

Grades in other most categories were up slightly as well.The City's overall cycling environment improved last year when, for the first time in over forty years, all of the East River Bridges were open to cyclists and pedestrians.However, T.A. says the government should do more to address widespread conditions that discourage bicycling, such as "dangerous motorist behavior, ...atrocious street conditions and sub-standard bike lanes."

T.A. also praises the DOT for installing five new bike lanes around the city and Larry Reuter, head of MTA NYC Transit, for maintaining bike access to subways despite soaring ridership this fall.

Lower grades were given to government efforts in three categories this year: parking, bicycle lanes and greenways."Sparse secure bicycle parking remains the biggest obstacle to would-be commuters and utilitarian cyclists," wrote T.A., saying a DOT bicycle parking encouragement officer is needed to create more bike parking.Other areas in need of improvement are improving bike access with wider, clearly marked lanes, instituting a safety education program for motorists and installing ramps on the Williamsburg and Manhattan bridges, according to T.A.

Transportation Alternatives: www.transalt.org

Transportation Alternatives

The State of Cycling in NYC
(Feb. 19, 2001) 

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