NYC's Bike Lane Promise: A Progress Report

New York City is significantly behind on its goal to build hundreds of miles of new bike lanes, a recent report reveals. This falls short of both Mayor Eric Adams' campaign promise of 300 miles and legal benchmarks set by the city.

The Unmet Goals

• Legal Benchmarks: City legislation mandated 250 miles of protected bike lanes by 2027, with a 2024 target of 50 miles. Only 29 miles were completed.
• Mayor's Promise: Mayor Adams pledged an even more ambitious 300 miles during his campaign, a goal that now seems highly unlikely.
• Public Advocate's Concern: Public Advocate Jumaane Williams criticizes the city's underperformance, highlighting safety concerns for cyclists.

The City's Response

The NYC transportation department, while not granting interviews, claims the 87.5 miles of protected bike lanes built over the last three years represent an "all-time high." They also point to upgrades on 20 miles of existing lanes. However, this still leaves a vast gap to fulfill both the legal requirements and the mayor's promise.

What's Next?

With this year's target set again at 50 miles, achieving Mayor Adams' campaign pledge requires exceeding 210 miles of new protected lanes before year's end – a highly improbable feat. Advocacy groups are pushing for the administration to meet its legal obligations and prioritize bike lane construction.