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Getting across Central Park on a bike isn’t exactly a seamless experience, unless you enjoy a little chaos with your commute. That could soon change, though.
The NYC Department of Transportation is proposing a new two-way protected bike lane running the full length of 72nd Street, which would eventually create a continuous crosstown route from the Hudson River to the East Side. If built, the lane would link the Hudson River Greenway and Central Park and eventually extend eastward to the East River Greenway.
Right now, there isn’t a continuous protected crosstown connection. While north-south protected lanes are scattered across the Upper West and Upper East Sides, riders heading east or west are mostly left to fend for themselves. The proposal will fix that gap with a dedicated, parking-protected lane running along the north side of the street.
“Creating a protected, two-way bike lane on 72nd Street will finally deliver a safe, seamless crosstown connection,” said DOT commissioner Mike Flynn in a statement, adding that the project would make it easier for “New Yorkers of all ages and abilities to get across Manhattan safely.”
The redesign would remove a travel lane in each direction to make room for the protected path, while adding pedestrian upgrades like curb extensions, shorter crossing distances and clearer intersections. According to DOT data presented in the proposal, protected bike lanes can reduce cyclist injury risk by up to 34%—and by more than 60% on the most dangerous streets.
The corridor itself has a track record of safety issues that make the changes feel necessary. According to the agency, crashes along parts of West 72nd Street rank in the top 10% of Manhattan streets, with more than 100 injuries recorded over a recent five-year period.
There are some trade-offs, though. The plan would eliminate a small number of parking spaces and rely on updated curb rules and loading zones to manage deliveries, which is no small feat on a street that’s well-known for frequent double parking.
Still, advocates say the payoff is worth it. “A two-way protected bike lane on 72nd Street will change that—creating a dedicated, predictable space for cyclists,” said Bike New York’s CEO Ken Podziba.
The project is still in the proposal phase, with community board discussions now underway. If it moves forward, installation on the west side could begin as soon as late spring or early summer 2026, with an East Side extension to follow.
Fingers crossed that your next crosstown trip might finally be less “every rider for themselves” and more actual bike lane.