Manhattan CB2 executive committee votes to send letter urging protected bike lanes on West Street

The Manhattan Community Board 2 Executive Committee voted unanimously May 11 to send a letter asking the governor and the Hudson River Park Trust to explore routing cyclists on West Street in both directions with a protective barrier and to recommend that runners use the Hudson River Greenway.

Committee member Dan described the proposed letter and the rationale: "I'm happy to write something where you say we want cyclists on West Street, in both directions and a barrier to protect it from, the road vehicles, from cars, and with a recommendation that runners get the the greenway." Carter, chairing the meeting, then put the proposal to a raised‑hand vote; the committee recorded no opposing votes or abstentions and adopted the motion.

Why it matters: committee members said the change would separate faster bicycle traffic from runners and walkers in heavily used waterfront open spaces during the pandemic, while the protections and technical feasibility would be left to the state and relevant agencies. Supporters argued moving cyclists to West Street would provide an exclusive route for people avoiding mass transit; critics and cautious members raised safety and implementation concerns around lane widths, traffic impacts and existing security bollards.

Supporters and technical concerns: Shirley and others said separating runners and cyclists was desirable. Shirley suggested that "maybe we need more than just 1 lane and at least a lane and a half." Dan and other members noted tradeoffs with motor vehicle traffic: "If you take out 2 lanes because the left lane is for turning traffic, I think it's gonna be a nightmare, especially that it's a it's a major artery," Dan said. Robbie (board member) and others urged sending the request now so agencies could act while discretionary funding and planning windows remain open.

Safety and infrastructure limits: members discussed that the Greenway bikeway is separate from Hudson River Park proper and that recent legislation and insurance protections had addressed liability concerns for park authorities. Rich and others warned changes could undercut the crash‑protection features installed in the bikeway: "A great deal of money was spent to put those bollards in, every crossing area...we are exposed to that risk again," Rich said, noting the bollards were added after a vehicle attack on the bikeway. Several members emphasized that decisions about physical barriers and traffic engineering should be made by NYSDOT, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Hudson River Park Trust.

Next steps: the committee directed Dan to draft the letter reflecting the discussion and to circulate it for rapid ratification; Carter said the committee could ratify the letter before the next scheduled executive meeting if needed. The letter will be sent to the governor and the Hudson River Park Trust asking them to explore the option of a temporary protected lane on West Street, and to consider phased implementation where sections of West Street are finished and could be used sooner.

Context: the discussion occurred as part of wider conversations about open‑streets programs, temporary bike lanes and balancing pedestrian, cyclist and vehicle circulation during phased reopening of city activity.