UPPER WEST SIDE — A proposal to clear the entryway to Central Park at West 106th Street for pedestrians and cyclists was approved by two local community board committees Tuesday.
Community Board 7's transportation and parks committees unanimously approved a plan to shift a zone for four parked cars — which sit in front of an area known as Strangers' Gate at Central Park West — north one block and replace it with a bus stop.
"Getting rid of cars there really improves the sight line for bikers seeing each other, for everybody," said Klari Neuwelt, the co-chair for the parks committee.
The proposal, which will go before the full community board in early April, would swap the M10 bus stop at West 106th Street and Central Park West with the four parking spots.
"It solves the problem," added transportation committee Co-Chair Andrew Albert, "and it gives everybody a beautiful place to wait for the bus."
Upper West Sider Peter Frishauf, an avid bicyclist and architecture enthusiast, proposed the plan after noticing a visibility problem along one of his favorite bike routes. The cars get in the way of an "exceptionally beautiful" public plaza, Frishauf told the committees.
"Great architecture inspires people and draws people in," Frishauf said. "The whole design of this area is to draw people in...it's just a shame not to take advantage of it."
Albert, who is also chairman of the MTA's New York City Transit Riders Council, said he didn't anticipate any problems from Department of Transportation or the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in approving the plan.
"We will review this proposal when we receive the resolution from the community board," a DOT spokesman said.
The MTA did not respond to requests for comment.
