The NYC bike lanes & infrastructure safety has made impressive strides in building safer streets for cyclists, but the journey is far from complete. According to Bike Legal’s analysis, more than 1,550 miles of bike lanes now exist across the five boroughs—the largest network in North America.

Recent expansions include wider, protected lanes on major Manhattan avenues like Sixth Avenue, offering 6–10 ft of dedicated space and safety gains through redesigned intersections. 

These infrastructure upgrades have real safety benefits. Physical separation from traffic reduces crash risk, and intersection designs help slow turning vehicles and shorten pedestrian crossings. Yet despite progress, serious gaps remain: only 2% of NYC streets feature protected bike lanes, leaving many cyclists exposed in high-traffic zones. 

Another challenge is the design and maintenance of the existing network. Some bike lanes end abruptly or run alongside parked cars, raising the risk of “dooring” and forcing riders into vehicle traffic. In addition, busy intersections—especially in Manhattan and Brooklyn—often lack dedicated bike signals or physical protection, increasing conflict between bikes and turning vehicles. 

NYC’s bike-safety movement continues to push for broader, better-connected protected lanes. While bike infrastructure in New York has undeniably improved, understanding its limitations and riding defensively remains crucial for cyclist safety.