Rolling Forward: 6th Avenue’s New Bike Lanes Make the Village Safer and Smoother for Riders
6th Avenue Gets New, Wider, Protected Bike Lane.
Safer street designs & wider bike lanes have arrived in the Village, making the neighborhood safer and smoother for riders!
Village Alliance Executive Director Scott Hobbs joins the ribbon-cutting ceremony alongside other city leaders.
Exciting news for cyclists, commuters, and anyone who loves a more connected, safer Village: 6th Avenue has a major upgrade from Lispenard Street in Tribeca to West 13th Street in the Village. Thanks to a new project from NYC DOT, this stretch now features safer, double-width bike lanes, making the Village a more welcoming place for our visitors and residents on two wheels.
For years, navigating 6th Avenue by bike has been a test of patience and skill, with narrow lanes squeezed between fast-moving traffic and ever-present delivery vehicles. But change is here. This long-awaited improvement will provide cyclists with extra breathing room, enhancing safety and comfort while encouraging even more Villagers to embrace biking as a convenient and sustainable mode of travel.
“We want to make New York City the friendliest city to pedestrians and cyclists, period, full stop.”
—Councilmember Carlina Rivera of NYC’s 2nd Council District at the ribbon cutting ceremony last month.
A Wider Path to a Better Village & Beyond.
The project is part of a larger initiative across the city to expand existing bike lanes to a generous 10-12 feet. These double-wide lanes allow for smoother passing, fewer bottlenecks, and an overall more enjoyable ride. The wider design also makes space for adaptive cyclists, e-bikes, and delivery riders, who are increasingly relying on New York’s bike network to get around.
Notably, the new lanes will be protected with more robust buffers, reducing conflicts with cars and trucks.
What This Means for Local Business:
For those of us in the Village and surrounding neighborhoods, this isn’t just a win for cyclists—it’s great news for businesses, too. Studies have repeatedly shown that improving bike infrastructure leads to increased foot traffic, as cyclists are more likely to stop and shop than drivers speeding through. With a safer and more inviting 6th Avenue, our local cafés, boutiques, and restaurants will reap the benefits of a more vibrant and safe streetscape.
More cyclists means we’re one step closer to a greener, less congested Village.
The Future Rolls On. . .
The transformation of 6th Avenue is part of a broader movement to make New York a leader in bike-friendly infrastructure.
For longtime riders, this project is a welcome relief. For those considering commuting by bike for the first time, it’s an invitation. So dust off your wheels, pump up those tires, and take a ride through a safer, smoother Village. The future of our District is rolling forward safely and smoothly—one bike lane at a time!
