New and upgraded bus lanes would deliver faster, more reliable service for 51,000+ daily bus riders — in a corridor where bus speeds are as low as 3.5 mph
Widened protected bike lanes would create a safer riding experience on one of Manhattan’s highest-crash corridors
Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today unveiled a proposal for bus and bike lane upgrades along Sixth Avenue in Manhattan, delivering faster, more reliable service for more than 51,000 daily bus riders on four local and 27 express MTA routes — as well as safer biking for cyclists along the corridor.
The proposal adds a new offset bus lane from Watts Street to 34th Street where there is currently no bus lane at all and upgrades existing curbside lanes with offset bus lanes from 34th Street to 58th Street — in some places creating double bus lanes.
For cycling infrastructure, the project will widen the avenue’s existing protected bike lane north of 35th Street up to 59th Street, creating a double-wide bike lane for most of the avenue from Lispenard Street to 59th Street.
“Every day, 51,000 New Yorkers rely on buses along this corridor to get to work, school and home to their families. And every day, too many of them are stuck in traffic that slows them down and takes their valuable time,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By installing new and upgraded offset bus lanes and expanding bike infrastructure on Sixth Avenue, we’re helping New Yorkers move faster, move safer and experience the reliable public transit they deserve.”
“The Mamdani administration has made clear that bus riders deserve a fast, dignified commute, but right now it can be as fast to walk along Sixth Avenue as it is to ride a local bus,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “This proposal would bring faster and safer commutes for bus and bike riders commuting in Manhattan from all five boroughs.”
Currently, local bus speeds along the Sixth Avenue corridor are as low as 3.5 mph — about the average walking speed — and express bus speeds are as slow as 4.2 mph during evening peak times. Offset bus lanes help speed up rides by allowing buses to bypass parked vehicles that frequently block curbside bus lanes while also providing improved curbside access for businesses and passenger pick-up and drop-off.
Sixth Avenue is a Vision Zero priority corridor, which means it has among the highest rates of pedestrian deaths and serious injuries in Manhattan. Bus and bike infrastructure upgrades would enhance safety along the corridor by better organizing the flow of traffic. New painted curb extensions, pedestrian islands and turn calming treatments would shorten crossing distances and slow turning vehicles. A similar treatment on 3rd Avenue resulted in bus speed increases of up to 14%, while injuries decreased by 28%.
An example of a full-block bus stop planned between 45th Street and 46th Street on Sixth Avenue. Credit: NYC DOT.
NYC DOT presented the proposal on Wednesday night to Manhattan’s Community Board 4, with future presentations planned for relevant boards in the borough. The agency will review feedback and finalize a proposal before planning installation.
