The city’s Department of Transportation is proposing a two-way protected bike lane that runs the full length of 72nd Street in Manhattan.

“Probably make me feel a lot safer, and I would have to dodge a lot less taxis and trucks parked on the right-hand lane, blocking the road,” said Julian Kaiser.

What You Need To Know

The city’s Department of Transportation is proposing a two-way protected bike lane that runs the full length of 72nd Street in Manhattan

The agency said the proposed 72nd Street protected bike lane would serve as a crosstown connection; linking Central Park to the Hudson River Greenway on the west side and Fifth Avenue to the East River Greenway on the east side, while also making the Central Park drives more easily accessible to cyclists

It would also reduce the number of driving lanes along West 72nd Street from four to two, to the chagrin of drivers NY1 spoke to Wednesday

The news is music to the ears of cyclists like Kaiser, who also works as a transportation planner and recently moved to New York City from Los Angeles.

Dog walker and cyclist Dennis Regan is also on board.

“I think it’s great,” he said. “I wish there were more of them going up north and south as well.”

The DOT said the proposed 72nd Street protected bike lane would serve as a crosstown connection; linking Central Park to the Hudson River Greenway on the west side and Fifth Avenue to the East River Greenway on the east side, while also making the Central Park drives more easily accessible to cyclists.

It would also reduce the number of driving lanes along West 72nd Street from four to two, to the chagrin of drivers NY1 spoke to Wednesday.

“Breaking up the street creates more congestion, and it creates more traffic to me,” said driver Mariam Conteh.

Some 72nd Street residents on the west side worry it would reduce accessibility for seniors and people with disabilities.

“I don’t think that this takes into consideration what’s going on with the residents,” said Brett Levy.

Judi Bosworth agrees with him.

“If you have a senior or someone who’s disabled, they have to go through two bike lanes,” she said. “They have to be looking both ways for bikes that are now coming at pretty fast speeds.”

But the DOT said bike lanes reduce risks for cyclists and increase street safety overall.

In a statement, DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said, “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.”

The DOT presented the redesign plan to Manhattan Community Board 7 on Tuesday evening. It plans to do the same for the east side of Central Park, between Fifth Avenue and York Avenue, to Community Board 8 this fall.