The risks of half-hearted bike lanes (in New York City)

Well-built, connected bike lanes can be life-changing, keeping people on bikes safe, comfortable and mobile. But in so many cities, what emerges instead is something that feels half-hearted -- disconnected and unprotected lanes that don’t keep cyclists safe and don’t enable people to truly get around on bikes. A recent whirlwind trip to New York City illustrated both the risks of half-hearted bike infrastructure, but also the great potential when a city commits fully and builds proper safe and protected bike lanes. This video also has a special guest: Jon Orcutt of Bike NYC, an important figure in New York’s great transition to bike-friendliness during the 2000s. Thanks Jon! 0:00 Introduction 2:45 A bridge changes from half-hearted to great 4:06 A half-hearted bike lane in Brooklyn and its problems 5:39 The joys of a properly built bike lane 6:42 Half-hearted enforcement of bike-lane parking restrictions 8:38 The Brooklyn Bridge’s transformation 10:4