DOT plans bike and pedestrian changes around Astor Place and the East Village

St. Mark's Place between A and First Avenue

The city is planning a series of street changes around Astor Place and the East Village this spring, aimed at adding bike connections and creating more pedestrian space. 

According to the Department of Transportation, the work includes a new two-way, parking-protected bike lane along Lafayette Street and Fourth Avenue, creating a continuous north-south route from SoHo up to Union Square. (For those interested in more details, here's a PDF with a deep dive into the plans, part of a presentation this week to Community Board 2.)

Closer to the neighborhood, DOT also plans a short two-way bike lane on Astor Place (between Broadway and Lafayette) to better connect existing routes. Riders heading east would then be directed along East Eighth Street — and over to St. Mark's Place — providing a clearer connection toward Tompkins Square Park. (St. Mark's Place currently does not have marked bike lanes.)

On Lafayette between Eighth Street and Ninth Street, a Citi Bike station currently on the sidewalk is expected to be moved into the roadway, which should open up some pedestrian space on what can be a crowded stretch. 

The changes are tied in part to street repaving schedules and are also being framed as preparation for increased foot traffic this summer, tied to the World Cup. 

Work is expected to begin this spring.