Are New York’s Bike Lanes Working?

Introduction

As new bicycle lanes appear all over New York City, the opposition to them has become more vocal.

City officials and cycling advocates say that the expanded network has already proved successful, increasing riders' safety while promoting a greener means of urban transportation. Opponents complain about the loss of parking and unloading space, as well as constricted traffic. They hope the lanes go the way of the ones in the early 1980's, though former Mayor Edward Koch, who oversaw their brief life back then, said that this time they might succeed because the city is putting far more investment into making them work.

How are Mayor Bloomberg's bike lanes faring? Are they proving that they are worth the real estate? What is the best way to promote bicycle transportation?

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