Transportation Commissioner Polly Trottenberg was in the Bronx yesterday to tout safety improvements on the Grand Concourse, historically one of the borough's most dangerous streets for walking and biking. But a lot more needs to change on the Grand Concourse, which still lacks safe, continuous bikeways and treatments to speed up trips for bus riders.
Bike-share operator Motivate is in talks with the city to increase the bicycles in its system by another 50 percent after the current round of expansion wraps up this year, including stations in the Bronx and Staten Island. City Hall would not contribute funds but would grant Motivate more favorable terms in its contract with the city.
Bruckner Boulevard is one of the most dangerous streets for walking in the Bronx. DOT made safety improvements to Bruckner and Hunts Point Avenue in 2015, but there are still too many vehicle lanes and too much traffic, and conditions remain hostile for people on foot.
Despite its proximity to Van Cortlandt Park, Broadway north of 242nd Street feels like a highway. Two years ago, Council Member Andrew Cohen asked for safety improvements, and last night DOT presented a plan to narrow crossing distances and add a two-way protected bike lane along the park.