An e-bike rider on Delancey Street in January 2026.
Photo by Lloyd Mitchell
City officials will expand sidewalk space and upgrade bike lanes in Union Square, the East Village and Lower Manhattan ahead of the massive crowds expected to hit the streets during the FIFA World Cup tournament this summer.
NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) officials said they will redesign local streets to create a continuous, parking-protected two-way bike lane along Lafayette Street, extending from Prince Street in SOHO to 15th Street in Union Square, and continuing on 4th Avenue, where there is currently just a one-way northbound bike lane.
The World Cup-related effort follows NYC DOT’s announcement last week that the agency will redesign Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen to help prepare for crowds related to the world-famous soccer tournament.
Citi Bike station to take over roadway to give more pedestrian space
As part of the Lower Manhattan redesign, NYC DOT will also relocate an existing Citi Bike station on the heavily trafficked sidewalk of Lafayette Street, between Eighth and Ninth Streets, into the roadway nearby to expand pedestrian space while aiming to reduce sidewalk riding.
The upgrade aims to make a seamless commute for cyclists with a two-way connection from the Brooklyn Bridge to the Flatiron District, via Lafayette and Centre streets and as Fourth Avenue flows up into Broadway.
Map of pedestrian and cycling safety upgrades presented to Community Board 2 Tuesday evening to help prepare for World Cup crowds at popular destinations like Union Square and Astor Place.Credit: NYC DOT
NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said the road changes will take place this spring and will expand many sidewalks near Union Square while improving “safety for everyone on the street.” Key improvements will be completed ahead of the FIFA World Cup this summer.
“These world-renowned destinations draw thousands of visitors on a given day and are expected to see increases this summer as the World Cup begins,” Flynn said. “This plan will deliver a host of upgrades for pedestrians and cyclists from the East Village to Madison Square, improving safety and creating a more welcoming experience for pedestrians.”
The commissioner added that Mayor Zohran Mamdani wants the agency to act “with urgency” to redesign the streets.
NYC DOT officials said similar street redesigns have been shown to improve safety by reducing traffic deaths and serious injuries by 30 % for pedestrians, cyclists and vehicle drivers and passengers.
By expanding the bike lanes, NYC DOT said, the design reduces the time it takes pedestrians to cross vehicular traffic. Such changes are even more beneficial for pedestrian safety, reducing pedestrian deaths and serious injuries by 31.7%, per the agency.
Upgrades to be done during repaving schedules
Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal applauded the newly announced street redesign.
“These upgrades, including expanded sidewalks near Union Square and strengthened north-south bike connections, will help improve safety and better accommodate the thousands of New Yorkers and visitors who travel through this corridor each day, particularly as the city prepares for increased activity surrounding the World Cup,” he said.
Ben Furnas, executive director of Transportation Alternatives, called out the “gaping hole” in the city’s network of protected bike lanes when traveling south below 14th Street.
“Thanks to the project being announced today, New Yorkers will finally be able to safely bike from Union Square all the way down to the Brooklyn Bridge,” he said. “The redesign will also bring significantly more pedestrian space — sorely needed ahead of this summer’s World Cup.”
Furnas commended the city for developing the projects to align with existing street repaving schedules.
“Rolling all of the work into the repaving schedule is an efficient way to get the job done in time for this massive influx of people to an already busy area,” he said. “This ambition and forward momentum is a sign that the Mamdani administration is serious about making our streets ‘the envy of the world,’ and we look forward to much more to come.”