Have Cycling Advocates Lost Hope of Bike Lanes On Houston?
For months cycling advocates have vigorously been lobbying the Department of Transportation to put bike lanes on Houston Street. Groups like Transportation Alternatives, Community Board 2, Times's Up along with civic leaders have leaned on the DOT, holding rallies and letter writing campaigns to force DOT to put in bike lanes on what is considered the most dangerous street in Manhattan. Now in the space of about a month it seems many advocacy leaders are quietly backing off this push and now focusing on a plan to put lanes on Bleeker and Prince St. In fact the shift in focus may have happened in one night in March.
This shift seems to have happened quietly if decisively. On March 13th the DOT met with advocates to discuss bike lanes on Houston. CB2 made a strong case for bike lanes on Houston that night. But DOT presented their alternative and at the same time asserted there was no way to make Houston safe for cyclists. Details of the DOT proposal to route cyclists onto Bleeker and Prince St can be found in this blog post on Streetsblog which appeared the day after the meeting. Following the March 13th meeting CB2 posted a message that hinted they were already yielding on their effort to push for lanes on Houston.
Judging by comments on Streetsblog and in discussions with other cyclists reaction to the DOT proposal has been very mixed, with some advocates seeing benefit in it and others feeling it is inadequate and symbolic of the second class status of bikes at DOT.
Community Board 2 has gotten behind the Prince Street plan and yielded on Houston Street for now. As has Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog, the publication arm of NYC Streets Renaissanse. CB2's decision is significant in that they have been at the forefront of pushing for bike lanes on Houston and run the site http://bikehoustonst.net. All organizations seem to feel the Prince Street plan is the best they can get from DOT at this time.
In an email to me, Ian Dutton, member of CB2's transportation committee and prominent cycling advocate cited stonewalling in the DOT:
Many cyclists will likely not find the DOT argument's convincing, and that something like a buffered lane as on southern 8th Ave might be very effective for Houston. Late last night Time's Up! reasserted that it's members feel lanes on Houston are paramount:
But the sense that advocates have reached an end with DOT and the Bloomberg Administration was echoed by Streetsblog Editor Aaron Naparstek:
And Transportation Alternative's Caroline Samponaro sounded even more pragmatic in an email this morning:
Support within the cycling community for the Prince St plan itself seems tepid at this point. But with several of the biggest advocates ready to take the Prince St compromise, advocating for lanes on Houston may be over for the time being. Still some commenters on Streetsblog and in emails sent to onNYTurf were adamant about maintaining pressure on the City:
Another concern about that plan that has circulated in the community is that the DOT's plan might be the end of advocating for lanes on Houston. But Samponaro says that if the Prince street plan is not successful or that if danger persists on Houston the City will be under even more pressure to put lanes on Houston:
DATE: April 10, at 6:30pm,
LOCATION: LGBT Community Services Center
ADDRESS: 208 W. 13th St. between 7th Ave. and Greenwich Ave
This shift seems to have happened quietly if decisively. On March 13th the DOT met with advocates to discuss bike lanes on Houston. CB2 made a strong case for bike lanes on Houston that night. But DOT presented their alternative and at the same time asserted there was no way to make Houston safe for cyclists. Details of the DOT proposal to route cyclists onto Bleeker and Prince St can be found in this blog post on Streetsblog which appeared the day after the meeting. Following the March 13th meeting CB2 posted a message that hinted they were already yielding on their effort to push for lanes on Houston.
"The DOT presentation was persuasive enough to convience several members of the committee that there was validity to their arguments, and a resolution is forthcoming for presentation to the full Community Board expressing disappointment that Houston St. will not be considered further, but that the alternative plan could be viable pending the consideration of many other community concerns."
Judging by comments on Streetsblog and in discussions with other cyclists reaction to the DOT proposal has been very mixed, with some advocates seeing benefit in it and others feeling it is inadequate and symbolic of the second class status of bikes at DOT.
Community Board 2 has gotten behind the Prince Street plan and yielded on Houston Street for now. As has Transportation Alternatives and Streetsblog, the publication arm of NYC Streets Renaissanse. CB2's decision is significant in that they have been at the forefront of pushing for bike lanes on Houston and run the site http://bikehoustonst.net. All organizations seem to feel the Prince Street plan is the best they can get from DOT at this time.
In an email to me, Ian Dutton, member of CB2's transportation committee and prominent cycling advocate cited stonewalling in the DOT:
There are two reasons that I am now supporting the "alternative plan." One is the reality side. I know from discussions with DOT that the only way that we are going to see DOT incorporate lanes on Houston St. is an edict from the mayor, who up to now has not been interested in getting involved. This alone wouldn't be enough to get me to change my point of view.
The other reason is a result of the presentation that DOT gave us last month at the CB2 committee meeting. In discussions with the bike program manager and the director of alternative modes - the people who run the non-car side of the house - they have told me that they just don't feel that they can do anything to design a safe space for cyclists on Houston St... Our discussion last month as to "Why not Houston St." went for more than an hour, and they strongly said that this was coming from them as bike advocated, not from the crusty old guard at DOT that only counts cars.
The other reason is a result of the presentation that DOT gave us last month at the CB2 committee meeting. In discussions with the bike program manager and the director of alternative modes - the people who run the non-car side of the house - they have told me that they just don't feel that they can do anything to design a safe space for cyclists on Houston St... Our discussion last month as to "Why not Houston St." went for more than an hour, and they strongly said that this was coming from them as bike advocated, not from the crusty old guard at DOT that only counts cars.
Many cyclists will likely not find the DOT argument's convincing, and that something like a buffered lane as on southern 8th Ave might be very effective for Houston. Late last night Time's Up! reasserted that it's members feel lanes on Houston are paramount:
A protected bikeway on Houston Street is both technically feasible and urgently needed. The exclusion of such facilities will only result in more unnecessary deaths.
But the sense that advocates have reached an end with DOT and the Bloomberg Administration was echoed by Streetsblog Editor Aaron Naparstek:
The City has made clear that DOT simply isn't going to put a bike facility on Houston Street at this time. They've made that decision and it doesn't seem to me that any amount of public pressure is going to change it because they are convinced that it is not safe.
Personally, I'm not willing to wait 1,000 days to the end of the Bloomberg Administration for safe cycling across Lower Manhattan. So I'm willing to give this plan a shot...
I think the cycling community's efforts would be better spent on fighting the opposition that's going to show up when neighborhood residents and merchants find out that they are losing nearly 200 on-street parking spaces.
Personally, I'm not willing to wait 1,000 days to the end of the Bloomberg Administration for safe cycling across Lower Manhattan. So I'm willing to give this plan a shot...
I think the cycling community's efforts would be better spent on fighting the opposition that's going to show up when neighborhood residents and merchants find out that they are losing nearly 200 on-street parking spaces.
And Transportation Alternative's Caroline Samponaro sounded even more pragmatic in an email this morning:
T.A. supports the Bleeker/Prince plan... This is the only plan that is up for discussion with the DOT until Bloomberg is out of office. The Mayor or Doctoroff would have to tell the new DOT commissioner (who hasn't been appointed yet!) to make Houston Street his/her top priority and re-design the construction plans for Houston Street.
Borough President Stringer, Senators Connor and Duane, Council Members Gerson and Mendez, Rep Nydia Velazquez, Assembly Member Glick and Congressman Nadler have all written to the Mayor and demanded that the Houston street problem be dealt with. The Prince/Bleeker plan is what the Mayor came back with. In other words, there has been a huge amount of organizing on a lot of levels for there to be changes made to Houston Street. Unfortunately, the City isn't cooperating.
Borough President Stringer, Senators Connor and Duane, Council Members Gerson and Mendez, Rep Nydia Velazquez, Assembly Member Glick and Congressman Nadler have all written to the Mayor and demanded that the Houston street problem be dealt with. The Prince/Bleeker plan is what the Mayor came back with. In other words, there has been a huge amount of organizing on a lot of levels for there to be changes made to Houston Street. Unfortunately, the City isn't cooperating.
Support within the cycling community for the Prince St plan itself seems tepid at this point. But with several of the biggest advocates ready to take the Prince St compromise, advocating for lanes on Houston may be over for the time being. Still some commenters on Streetsblog and in emails sent to onNYTurf were adamant about maintaining pressure on the City:
Houston Street is currently one of the most dangerous NYC streets for cyclists, but it is nonetheless the route that cyclists prefer. It is wide, open and well-lit. Lights are timed in such a manner that make for quicker traversals of Manhattan's widest section than are possible on adjacent cross-streets. Anyone who has ridden these streets knows that the Bleeker/Princd DOT plan as proposed now will result in a newly paved Houston Street speed-way resulting in more pedestrian and cyclist carnage.
This proposal not only promises narrow bike lanes full of double-parking and dooring possibilities but denies the fact that cyclists who seek quick and direct passage across downtown Manhattan will continue to risk their lives on an even more dangerous Houston Street!
This proposal not only promises narrow bike lanes full of double-parking and dooring possibilities but denies the fact that cyclists who seek quick and direct passage across downtown Manhattan will continue to risk their lives on an even more dangerous Houston Street!
Another concern about that plan that has circulated in the community is that the DOT's plan might be the end of advocating for lanes on Houston. But Samponaro says that if the Prince street plan is not successful or that if danger persists on Houston the City will be under even more pressure to put lanes on Houston:
Rejecting the DOT's plan will only add support to its existing opponents, who are absolutely opposed to any and all change. After the DOT implements this plan will be the time to restart Houston Street advocacy. If there are still problems after the DOT's plan is implemented, then it will only make the need for Houston Street improvements that much more evident.
T.A. sees it as a positive for the Bleeker and Prince lanes to be striped. In total, 186 parking spots will be removed under the plan. The lanes will improve east/west connections in the bike network.
T.A. sees it as a positive for the Bleeker and Prince lanes to be striped. In total, 186 parking spots will be removed under the plan. The lanes will improve east/west connections in the bike network.
Make Your Voice Heard: Important CB2 Traffic & Transportation Committee Meeting Tonight
CB2, TA, NYCSR all are not convinced the Prince St plan will be an easy win. Where ever you stand you can make your voice heard tonight. Tonight CB2 Traffic & Transportation Committee is having a discussion of the DOT's proposed alternative for bike lanes on W. Houston St and Ian Dutton has put out a call for people to come and support the Prince Street plan.DATE: April 10, at 6:30pm,
LOCATION: LGBT Community Services Center
ADDRESS: 208 W. 13th St. between 7th Ave. and Greenwich Ave
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