Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today unveiled a proposal for bus and bike lane upgrades along Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, delivering faster, more reliable service for more than 51,000 daily bus riders on four local and 27 express MTA routes - as well as safer biking for cyclists along the corridor.
The proposal adds a new offset bus lane from Watts Street to 34th Street where there is currently no bus lane at all and upgrades existing curbside lanes with offset bus lanes from 34th Street to 58th Street - in some places creating double bus lanes.
For cycling infrastructure, the project will widen the avenue's existing protected bike lane north of 35th Street up to 59th Street, creating a double-wide bike lane for most of the avenue from Lispenard Street to 59th Street.
"Every day, 51,000 New Yorkers rely on buses along this corridor to get to work, school and home to their families. And every day, too many of them are stuck in traffic that slows them down and takes their valuable time," said Mayor Mamdani. "By installing new and upgraded offset bus lanes and expanding bike infrastructure on Sixth Avenue, we're helping New Yorkers move faster, move safer and experience the reliable public transit they deserve."
"The Mamdani administration has made clear that bus riders deserve a fast, dignified commute, but right now it can be as fast to walk along Sixth Avenue as it is to ride a local bus," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "This proposal would bring faster and safer commutes for bus and bike riders commuting in Manhattan from all five boroughs."
Currently, local bus speeds along the Sixth Avenue corridor are as low as 3.5 mph - about the average walking speed - and express bus speeds are as slow as 4.2 mph during evening peak times. Offset bus lanes help speed up rides by allowing buses to bypass parked vehicles that frequently block curbside bus lanes while also providing improved curbside access for businesses and passenger pick-up and drop-off.
Sixth Avenue is a Vision Zero priority corridor, which means it has among the highest rates of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in Manhattan. Bus and bike infrastructure upgrades would enhance safety along the corridor by better organizing the flow of traffic. New painted curb extensions, pedestrian islands and turn calming treatments would shorten crossing distances and slow turning vehicles. A similar treatment on 3rd Avenue resulted in bus speed increases of up to 14%, while injuries decreased by 28%.
NYC DOT presented the proposal on Wednesday night to Manhattan's Community Board 4, with future presentations planned for relevant boards in the borough. The agency will review feedback and finalize a proposal before planning installation.
"New Yorkers need infrastructure that helps all riders, pedestrians, cyclists and drivers get quickly and safely to their destination," said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. "I am proud to continue to support NYC DOT as they work to make this a reality. The proposal for a new bus lane on Sixth Avenue and the continued widening of the existing bike lane up to 58th Street addresses a corridor that is too congested for cars and buses to move efficiently and is far too dangerous for pedestrians and cyclists to safely use without improvements. As our city grows and bike ridership increases, this proposal will help my constituents keep moving and stay safe."
"The proposal for expanded bike lanes and a dedicated bus lane on Sixth Avenue makes perfect sense," said Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick. "As we see the continued growth in the use of mass transit and our bike lanes, the City must accommodate the choices New Yorkers are making. DOT has been a great partner, and I appreciate the Mayor's commitment to mass transit."
"Sixth Avenue is packed with bus riders, cyclists, pedestrians, deliveries, cabs and cars and right now, it does not work well enough for any of them," said Council Member Christopher Marte. "A faster bus lane and a wider bike lane will make the avenue safer, clearer and more reliable for the New Yorkers who depend on it every day. This is a smart step for one of Manhattan's busiest corridors."
"I strongly support NYC DOT's proposal to improve Sixth Avenue and prioritize the thousands of New Yorkers who rely on this corridor every day. Too often, buses move at little more than a walking pace, making commutes longer and less reliable," said Council Member Carl Wilson. "By creating dedicated bus space, expanding protected bike infrastructure and improving pedestrian safety, this plan will deliver faster commutes, safer streets and a more accessible public realm. I look forward to working with DOT to advance these critical improvements."
"The new Sixth Avenue bus lane will save time and reduce aggravation for over 50,000 bus riders every day," said Danny Pearlstein, Policy & Communications Director for Riders Alliance. "From seniors heading to the doctor, to kids traveling home from school, to express bus riders with some of the country's longest commutes, this project affords riders the dignity we deserve. Kudos to Department of Transportation staff, Commissioner Flynn and Mayor Mamdani for prioritizing bus riders on all the way from Watts Street to Central Park."
"63 blocks of an offset bus lane on Sixth Avenue is something to celebrate - as is the widening of the protected bike lane for an additional 27 blocks, building on the success of the double-wide bike lane farther down the corridor," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "This project will speed up bus commutes for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, while making it safer to bike from Midtown to Central Park."
"New Yorkers shouldn't have to be stuck on a slow-moving bus along Sixth Avenue wondering whether they'd reach their destination faster on foot," said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. "This proposal will help buses move faster and make one of Manhattan's busiest transportation corridors safer and more efficient. The expanded double-wide protected bike lane is particularly important, creating the space needed to safely accommodate the growing number of cyclists and e-bike riders who use Sixth Avenue every day. By providing more room for riders to pass safely and reducing conflicts between faster and slower cyclists, these improvements will create a safer and more comfortable experience for riders of all speeds and skill levels. Bike New York applauds NYC DOT for advancing a proposal that will make Sixth Avenue safer, more people-focused and better equipped to serve the growing number of New Yorkers who travel by bus and bike."
"New York's curbs are some of the most competitive public spaces in the city, and this proposal puts them to work for people. By speeding up buses, creating a more comfortable bike lane and redesigning dangerous intersections, Sixth Avenue will become safer and more efficient for the tens of thousands of New Yorkers who use it every day," said Michael Sutherland, Senior Policy and Legislative Analyst at Open Plans. "These intersection improvements are especially important; they shorten crossings, slow turning vehicles and help make our streets safer for everyone, whether you're walking, biking, rolling or taking the bus."
"Sixth Avenue is one of Manhattan's most important transportation corridors, and these improvements will help move people more quickly and safely. Bus priority is essential to delivering the reliable service transit riders deserve, while wider bike lanes will create a safer street for everyone, including pedestrians, cyclists and drivers," said Renae Reynolds, Executive Director at Tri-State Transportation Campaign. "Given Sixth Avenue's history of traffic violence, this project is a major step forward that will improve access to businesses, encourage more New Yorkers to bus and bike, and help modernize our transportation network. We thank NYC DOT for advancing a vision that prioritizes safety, mobility and efficiency."
