A proposal to redesign 72nd Street and add a protected bike lane connecting the Hudson River Greenway to Central Park drew passionate support and equally passionate opposition at a Community Board 7 meeting on Tuesday.

What You Need To Know

A proposal to redesign 72nd Street and add a protected bike lane connecting the Hudson River Greenway to Central Park drew passionate support and equally passionate opposition at a Community Board 7 meeting on Tuesday

Under the proposal, the two-way protected bike lane would run along the northside of 72nd Street between Riverside Drive and Central Park West

The redesign would also add pedestrian islands at intersections and remove some parking spaces and loading zones to make room for the project

Under the proposal, the two-way protected bike lane would run along the northside of 72nd Street between Riverside Drive and Central Park West.

The redesign would also add pedestrian islands at intersections and remove some parking spaces and loading zones to make room for the project.

“I bike on 72nd Street all the time. As a pedestrian is going to make everyone safer,” Upper West Side resident Andrew Rosenthal said.

“I ride up and down 72nd Street almost every day. It’s chaotic, it’s dangerous, and I think we definitely need to make the improvements that have been proposed,” Upper West Side resident Tom Buffkin said.

But not everyone is convinced.

“It’s going to make it impossible for people like myself who are disabled to get access into an accessible car to be picked up to go into doctor’s appointments or anywhere, honestly,” Upper West Side resident Pamela Manasse said.

Opponents say they were left out of the planning process, while others question whether more bike infrastructure will actually make the streets safer.

“They’re going to have to look three ways to not get hit by a car,” Upper West Side resident Lester Wasserman said.

For now, the debate isn’t over.

After hearing hours of testimony from supporters and opponents, Community Board 7 will continue reviewing the proposal before city transportation officials decide whether the redesign becomes reality.