Why NYC Should Invest In Biking Infrastructure

Introduction

As one of the most populous and dynamic cities in the world, New York City faces numerous challenges related to transportation, public health, and environmental sustainability. According to research conducted in 2005 by the Division of Epidemiology, DOT, and the NYPD Traffic Control Department, they found that between 1996 to 2005, there were 225 bicyclist deaths and 3462 serious injuries. (Budnick, 2008, pg 652). In this context, investing in bike lanes emerges as a critical strategy to address these challenges while promoting a greener, healthier, and more efficient urban environment. By prioritizing cycling infrastructure, NYC can unlock a myriad of benefits ranging from reduced traffic congestion, improved air quality from more people riding bikes, and enhanced public health. Even though some critics say such an increase in bike lanes can have the opposite impact on biker safety, as they claim that road safety is better served through ample parking space and educating bikers on road safety, however, this is simply not true as simply educating bikers won’t save them from careless drivers and most importantly won’t help the climate change initiative.

Bike Lanes Help Resolve Traffic Congestion

Traffic congestion is a persistent issue in NYC, leading to wasted time, increased fuel consumption, and heightened stress levels for commuters. Investing in bike lanes offers a unique solution to this problem by making roads more organized, and therefore more efficient. Take for example, the bike lanes installed on Columbus Avenue from 96th to 77th Street in 2010 and 2011, according to statistics provided by the City, travel times for cars traveling from 96th to 77th Street dropped from 4.5 minutes to 3 minutes after the installment of bike lanes (Jaffe, 2014, pg 3).

Figure #1: This image shows the little impact on driving space when bike lanes are added. Source: Jaffe, E. (2014, September 5). When adding bike lanes actually reduces traffic delays. Bloomberg.com.

This increase in efficiency is due to the fact that traffic doesn’t need to slow down any more until left turns are complete as cars now have a left turn pocket beside the bike lane, to turn into. Furthermore, bike lanes make traffic more efficient by reducing the amount of cars on the road. According to research collected by the National Academy of Sciences, bike ridership increased by 48% more in cities that added protected bike lanes, than the ones that didn’t (Penney, 2021, pg 1). Since bike lanes encourage more people to cycle instead of relying on private vehicles or public transit. As cyclists occupy less space on the road compared to cars, bike lanes help alleviate congestion, particularly during peak hours, leading to smoother traffic flow for all road users. 

Bike Lanes Are Eco-friendly

Driving cars and motorcycles are a significant contributor to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions in NYC, posing serious health risks and exacerbating climate change. Investing in bike lanes can play a crucial role in reducing these harmful emissions by encouraging more people to cycle instead of driving. As a zero-emission mode of transportation, cycling helps improve air quality and mitigate the adverse effects of pollution on public health. According to cyclist counts and surveys, networks of bike lanes ward off roughly about 22,000 tonnes of Carbon emissions per year. (Protected Cycle Lane Networks Can Make a Big Impact on Climate Change, 2022, pg 6). NYC can benefit greatly from such revolutionary changes in Carbon emissions as the city already deals with more precipitation and sea levels rising due to the onset of global warming. Promoting cycling as a sustainable alternative to driving aligns with NYC’s ambitious climate goals, contributing to the city’s efforts to become a greener and more resilient metropolis.

Bike Lanes Help Create a Healthier, Happier NYC

In addition to reducing air pollution and traffic congestion, investing in bike lanes promotes public health and well-being among NYC residents. A revolutionary study, the Copenhagen Cohort, with 15 years of data, found that cycling to work reduced all-cause mortality by 28% (Rissel, 2015, pg 48). Since, bike lanes will allow more people to cycle for their daily commute, and therefore lead to reduced risk of obesity, cardiovascular disease, and mental health disorders. When obesity is eliminated, we can cut all new cases of diabetes in half, cardiovascular disease by a fifth, and a third of hypertension cases (Rissel, 2015, pg 45). Such reduction in disease from the reduction of obesity through cycling can lead to a healthier and happier New York City. Moreover, cycling promotes social interaction and community engagement, fostering a sense of belonging and connectedness among residents across diverse neighborhoods in the city.

What The Critics Have Against Bike Lanes

Despite the various benefits of funding new bike lanes, critics of bike lanes argue that bike lanes take away already scarce parking spaces and endanger pedestrians by leaving them vulnerable at intersections. However, this is simply not true. Firstly, less parking space isn’t necessarily a bad thing as it reduces the number of car users in the city. New York City, with its robust public transit system the Metropolitan Transit Authority (MTA), is one the most walkable and least car-friendly cities in the world regardless of bike lanes. So, even if bike lanes did take up space, they wouldn’t affect much as most of the city’s population doesn’t drive anyway and the ones that do will be encouraged to take alternative transportation therefore reducing congestion and Carbon emissions.  Secondly, bike lanes do not endanger pedestrians as long as everybody follows traffic laws. This is not a “bike lane issue” it is a safety issue as even without bike lanes, pedestrians are vulnerable to being hit by bikes. The only reason pedestrians get stuck in bike lanes is due to the fact that they either wait for their light on the bike lane or do not look both ways before crossing the street. Additionally, it might even be the fault of the cyclist who might try to run red lights. However, all these accidents can and will be avoided if riders and pedestrians are both thoroughly taught about road safety. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, investing in bike lanes in NYC is a multifaceted strategy that addresses key challenges facing the city while promoting sustainability, efficient traffic, and public health. I call on the New York City government to provide funding to build more bike lanes in the city and to make sure bikers don’t have to be uncertain whether or not they will have a bike lane to ride on no matter where they go in the city. By prioritizing cycling infrastructure, New York City can create a more livable and resilient urban environment that benefits residents, businesses, and visitors alike. As cities around the world embrace the transition towards sustainable transportation, New York City has the opportunity to lead by example and set new standards for urban mobility and environmental stewardship. By investing in bike lanes, NYC can pave the way toward a greener, healthier, and more equitable future for generations to come.

References

Jaffe, E. (2014, September 5). When adding bike lanes actually reduces traffic delays. Bloomberg.com. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-09-05/when-adding-bike-lanes-actually-reduces-traffic-delays

Mandel-Ricci, J., Stayton, C., Nicaj, L., Assefa, S., Woloch, D., Jeffrey, K., McCarthy, P.,            & Budnick, N. (2008). A MULTIAGENCY EFFORT TO REDUCE BICYCLIST FATALITIES AND SERIOUS INJURIES IN NEW YORK CITY. Public Health Reports (1974-), 123(5), 652–654. http://www.jstor.org/stable/25682108

Penney, V. (2021, April 1). If you build it, they will bike: Pop-up lanes increased cycling during pandemic. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/01/climate/bikes-climate-change.html

Protected Bike Lane Networks save money and protect planet, new study shows. FIA Foundation. (2022, October 24). https://www.fiafoundation.org/news/protected-bike-lane-networks-save-money-and-protect-planet-new-study-shows#:~:text=Investment%20in%20urban%20protected%20bicycle,Policy’s%20(ITDP)%20global%20Cycling%20Cities 

 Rissel, C. (2015). Cycling futures on JSTOR. (Chapter 3 Health benefits of cycling) https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.20851/j.ctt1sq5x1g