CHELSEA — The city Department of Transportation is set to build new east-west bike routes on West 15th and 16th streets that will connect Union Square to the Hudson River.
The plan would give a safer route for cyclists between the two recreational hubs, allowing them to easily get to and away from the bike path along the Hudson River Greenway.
According to the DOT proposal, an eastbound lane would be installed on the north side of West 16th Street, and a westbound lane would be installed on the south side of West 15th Street.
The paths along both streets will vary between shared lanes with markings for both bikes and cars, and dedicated bike lanes on larger sections of the road. No parking spots or travel lanes would be removed if the bike lanes are installed, the DOT says.
Community Board 4's Transportation Planning Committee gave the proposal a thumbs-up at its March meeting, and the proposal will come before the full board for advisory approval at a meeting Wednesday.
According to the DOT, the lanes would help move cyclists away from the traffic-laden and often dangerous West 14th Street. The lanes would also help give a bike path to users of the city's upcoming bike share program, since there will be nearly 200 shared bikes docked in the area surrounding Union Square.
The lanes would be the only clear, dedicated east-west bike path between West 10th and West 29th streets. The DOT expects to install the lanes by late spring or early summer.
