Cycling in New York City: How Progress Has Stalled and Challenges Have Grown
Despite major bike infrastructure gains, the cycling experience in New York City faces mounting tensions and setbacks.
New York City, once hailed as a model for modern urban cycling infrastructure in North America, is now witnessing a sobering reversal of fortunes for cyclists. Despite recent years of record ridership and ambitious bike lane expansions, the city has hit troubling roadblocks. Cycling advocates increasingly warn that political willpower, systemic city planning issues, and safety setbacks are undermining progress and putting riders at risk.
The Promise of a Cyclist-Friendly Metropolis
Just over a decade ago, New York City captivated urbanists and transportation planners globally by launching a sweeping effort to reimagine its streets for cyclists. Vision Zero, the city’s traffic safety initiative, aimed to dramatically reduce fatalities and transform the city’s attitude toward non-car travel. Investments poured into bike lanes, with protected paths multiplying across many boroughs. Citi Bike, the city’s ubiquitous bike-share system, made cycling as easy as swiping a card. For many, it appeared New York was on an unstoppable trajectory toward becoming North America’s preeminent bike-friendly metropolis.
- Record ridership: Daily cycling trips reached 620,000 in 2023, nearly triple the 2008 total.
- Network growth: NYC boasts 1,550 miles of bike lanes, paths, and greenways, the largest bicycle network on the continent.
- Borough leadership: Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens now rank among the top U.S. cities for biking, with Brooklyn leading the pack.
Infrastructure: Victories and Persistent Barriers
New York City’s textured cycling landscape features both shining victories and constant logistical frustrations.
- Protected lanes: While select avenues now have high-quality protected lanes, others remain unconnected or are of inconsistent quality.
- Maintenance: Many paths are poorly maintained, with potholes and faded markings threatening safety.
- Politics: Street redesigns regularly face opposition from small but vocal neighborhood organizations, slowing progress.
Brooklyn stands out for its bike-friendliness — not just because of its sheer mileage of bike lanes, but also its 25 mph residential speed limit. Bridges connect Brooklyn to Manhattan and other boroughs, enhancing cycling access, while greenways like the Prospect Park Circuit provide spaces free of vehicle traffic for recreation and commuting.
Biking Boom: Culture and Commuting Shifts
More New Yorkers than ever rely on bikes for their daily transportation. Cycling clubs, such as the Good Co. Bike Club in Brooklyn, have thrived, bringing diverse communities together and helping more residents see bikes as viable, fast, and flexible alternatives to subways and cars.
- Commuter growth: Over 25,000 Brooklynites commuted by bike in 2023.
- Recreational riding: Scenic greenways and park circuits offer riders refuge from cars and crowds.
- Safety in numbers: Advocates highlight the increased visibility and expectations drivers have for cyclists due to their growing numbers.
The immersive cycling culture contributes to a sense of urban community. Bridges, formerly intimidating, have become bustling arteries for bike commuters, giving riders unique city perspectives. Yet, even amid these successes, cracks are emerging in the city’s promise to cyclists.
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Political Headwinds and Stalled Progress
As cycling became mainstream, political resistance simultaneously hardened. Advocacy groups, urban planners, and everyday riders now describe a palpable shift in city leadership’s enthusiasm for redesigning streets away from cars and toward bikes. Some critical issues include:
- Mayoral policies: Recent mayors have often stalled or watered down bike lane expansions and car restrictions due to constituent pressure.
- Backlash: Small but organized groups have effectively blocked projects or forced compromises undermining protected bike lane networks.
- Bureaucratic inertia: Multiple agencies must coordinate even minor cycling infrastructure changes, creating constant delays.
The political mood has shifted from enthusiastic experimentation to cautious incrementalism. Advocates highlight that, while new lanes are announced every year, major redesigns are rare and projects often move at a glacial pace.
Safety Concerns: Alarming Trends for Cyclists
As ridership grows, so too do the risks facing NYC cyclists. Traffic fatalities are rising for riders and pedestrians alike, especially in dense corridors outside protected infrastructure.
- Rising fatalities: Despite Vision Zero’s marquee ambitions, traffic deaths involving cyclists have increased in recent years.
- Non-protected routes: Many arterial streets lack physical separation, leaving cyclists exposed to fast-moving and distracted drivers.
- Delivery workers: E-bike delivery workers face particularly acute dangers navigating dangerous intersections and vehicle traffic.
The city’s slow response to these deaths — often marked by delayed safety improvements and limited accountability for reckless drivers — has drawn fierce criticism from advocacy organizations. The gap between Vision Zero’s aims and actual outcomes widens every year.
Competing Priorities: Cars, Trucks, and Public Space
New York City’s tight real estate creates constant conflict for street space. Even with widespread approval for cycling, other interests often win out:
- Delivery vehicles: Online shopping has flooded city streets with double-parked trucks and vans, often obstructing bike lanes.
- Resistance to car reduction: Politicians remain wary of restricting car access, fearing commuter and business backlash.
- Police enforcement: Inconsistent traffic law enforcement lets dangerous driving habits persist.
Urban planners argue that reallocating street space for safe cycling is a matter of political courage. Yet, community boards and business groups often frame car parking or delivery access as non-negotiable, sidelining cycling improvements even in neighborhoods with high ridership rates. The result is an ongoing tug-of-war in which cyclists rarely emerge victorious.
Equity and Accessibility: Who Gets to Bike?
Despite the boom in cycling, questions remain about equity and accessibility.
- Neighborhood disparities: Wealthier districts see faster infrastructure upgrades and better maintenance.
- Race and representation: Cycling advocacy remains dominated by white, affluent voices, though clubs like Good Co. Bike Club are expanding diversity and participation.
- Pricing barriers: Citi Bike and personal bike ownership are still out of reach for many lower-income residents.
Advocates urge broader, more inclusive planning and support, noting that safe cycling should be a right for all New Yorkers, not just a privilege for the well-connected. Recent initiatives aim to expand Citi Bike’s reach and address maintenance disparities, but progress is slow and uneven.
Cycling Infrastructure in the Broader Context
New York’s difficulties are especially notable given its previous leadership in cycling innovation. Globally, cities ranging from Paris to Bogotá have rapidly expanded safe bike networks—often in response to COVID-19—while NYC progress has slowed. Brooklyn’s #1 ranking nationally in PeopleForBikes’ 2025 City Ratings highlights the city’s potential and lingering gaps.
| Borough | 2025 Bike Score | Bike-Friendly Features |
|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | 72 | Longest bike lane mileage, low speed limits, strong community, bridges |
| Queens | 63 | Expanding network, key commuter routes |
| Manhattan | 51 | Central hub, greenways, heavy traffic |
Despite these scores, citywide challenges persist, including fragmented networks and uneven maintenance. Brooklyn represents what is possible, while Manhattan’s heavy traffic and Queens’ developing network illustrate the ongoing struggle for consistent safety and accessibility.
Grassroots Advocacy: Pushing for Safer Streets
Grassroots organizations remain a critical force for positive change. Groups such as Transportation Alternatives work to keep cycling issues at the forefront of public debate, while rider clubs foster community, offer safety education, and organize for better infrastructure.
- Community rides: Local clubs connect new riders, especially from underserved demographics.
- Political activism: Advocacy groups pressure city agencies for robust street redesigns and law enforcement reforms.
- Public education: Events and campaigns highlight cycling safety, benefits, and street rights.
Despite their successes, advocates regularly face burnout and uphill battles against bureaucracy. Funding limitations and administrative hurdles slow even modest projects, reinforcing the need for sustained political engagement and public support.
Looking Ahead: Can NYC Get Back on Track?
The future of cycling in New York City hinges on difficult choices. Urban planners, cyclists, and advocates broadly agree on several necessary steps:
- Build more protected bike lanes — especially on high-traffic corridors and in underserved neighborhoods.
- Enforce traffic laws to create real consequences for drivers who endanger cyclists.
- Expand and maintain Citi Bike coverage, making bikeshare affordable and accessible in every part of the city.
- Elevate equity considerations in planning, funding, and outreach.
- Engage communities in shaping infrastructure and safety initiatives.
Only through integrated action — spanning politics, public discourse, and persistent grassroots organizing — can New York rediscover its ambition as a model cycling city.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Is cycling in New York City safe?
While protected lanes and bridges offer safer routes, many main streets remain high-risk due to traffic congestion and inconsistent law enforcement. Safety varies dramatically by borough and neighborhood.
Q: Which borough is currently best for cycling?
Brooklyn ranks as the best large city for biking in the U.S., thanks to dedicated infrastructure, community engagement, and lower speed limits.
Q: Why has progress stalled on bike safety and infrastructure?
Political resistance, bureaucratic delays, and vocal opposition from some community groups are the primary barriers. Reallocation of street space remains contentious due to competing demands from drivers, delivery vehicles, and businesses.
Q: How does New York City’s bike network compare internationally?
NYC’s network is vast by North American standards, but is now lagging behind peer cities in Europe and Latin America that have accelerated expansion and embraced more ambitious, bike-first street redesigns.
Q: What can individuals do to advocate for safer cycling?
Joining local cycling clubs, supporting advocacy organizations, contacting city council members, and participating in public meetings are effective ways to ensure ongoing attention and resources for cycling improvements.
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