The United Nations General Assembly convenes next week, and the NYC Department of Transportation is getting drivers and bicyclists ready for the annual traffic nightmare. Besides announcing Gridlock Alert Days and basically begging drivers not to drive during the UNGA, the DOT is, for the first time, maintaining bike lane access along First and Second Avenues.
“The U.N. General Assembly sees some of Manhattan’s most congested days of the entire year, and we want to get the word out early to ask drivers to use alternatives,” said DOT Commissioner Polly Trottenberg in a statement. “Drivers should leave their cars at home next week if they can—and try walking, taking mass transit, or getting on a bicycle. In fact, our recent Mobility Report showed that cycling is now regularly the very fastest way to get around Midtown. And we want to thank our partners at NYPD for their creative collaboration this year that will allow safe protected bike lane access along First and Second Avenues.”
NYPD Chief of Transportation Thomas Chan added that anyone foolish enough to drive should "expect possible delays and street closures. Those that choose not to utilize public transportation and drive in the area must allow for extra travel time and exercise caution behind the wheel, remembering to yield to pedestrians and bicyclists.”
The DOT shows how the bike lanes will remain in effect during the UNGA:
The DOT pointed out that the Midtown East protected bike lanes along First and Second Avenue are "are among New York City’s busiest bike lanes," with 6,000 riders daily. Here's how they explain this UNGA measures:
First Avenue Protected Bike Lane Access: Along northbound First Avenue, cyclists will pass a security checkpoint at 39th Street, after which they will be able to travel on the temporary bike lane between East 40th Street to East 49th Street. Cyclists will be directed to use one northbound travel lane through the 1st Avenue tunnel where a temporary bikeway will then transition back to the existing protected bike lane at East 49th Street. Barrels, signage, and tape will delineate the space for the temporary bikeway and direct cyclists where to travel. Cyclists are advised that the temporary bike lane is a tunnel thruway with no turns: ie.no exit is available between East 40th and East 49th Streets.
Second Avenue Protected Bike Lane Access: Along southbound Second Avenue, a temporary bike lane will be created between East 57th Street and East 41st Street, adjacent to the existing protected bike lane using both the travel lane and parking lane. Traffic and signage will delineate and direct cyclists to the temporary bikeway. As in past years, the existing protected bike lane on the east side of Second Avenue will be kept clear by NYPD, maintained as a travel lane to accommodate emergency vehicles and dignitary motorcades.
The temporary bike lane along First Avenue will remain in effect for 24 hours, while the temporary Second Avenue bike lane will be open until about 9pm. Cyclists on both routes will be subject to security checkpoints and occasional, unannounced traffic freezes.
Thank God for these security checkpoints, because, as one local news reporter infamously fretted, IMAGINE if the man on the bike is a terrorist!
Biking will likely be much faster than driving in Midtown Manhattan, as travel speeds for drivers dropped to 4 MPH during the 2018 UNGA (the slowest car speed day of the year in Midtown at September 25th, 2018). This year’s Gridlock Alert Days are:
- Monday, September 23, 2019
- Tuesday, September 24, 2019
- Wednesday, September 25, 2019
- Thursday, September 26, 2019
- Friday, September 27, 2019
- Monday, September 30, 2019
- Friday, November 15, 2019
- Wednesday, November 20, 2019
- Wednesday, November 27, 2019
- Friday, December 6, 2019
- Wednesday, December 11, 2019
- Thursday, December 12, 2019
- Friday, December 13, 2019
- Wednesday, December 18, 2019
- Thursday, December, 19, 2019
- Friday, December 20, 2019
In an effort to move more people to biking during the UNGA, Citi Bike is offering a 50 percent discount on 3-day passes, as in unlimited 30-minute rides over three days, from September 23rd to September 30th (use code GRIDLOCK 19).
