Cycling on the up in New York

New York’s Department of Transportation says cycling levels in the city have doubled since 2002.

And sample counts suggest a 35 percent increase in 2007/8.

City authorities added 140 miles of new on-street bicycle routes this year and are on course to provide a 1,800-mile cycling network by 2030.

They have also installed over 1,000 bicycle parking racks, bringing the citywide total to over 5,000, and have started installing 36 eight-berth cycle parking shelters.

Other incentives include the distribution of 12,000 free cycle helmets, free bike lights and proposals for a network of publicly accessible bikes.

The city has handed out awards for bike-friendly businesses – Credit Suisse won one for its indoor bike-parking facilities and so did Birdbath Neighborhood Green Bakery, which employed three full-time cycle couriers to shuttle baked goods between stores, saving 350 gallons of fuel a year.

During “Summer Streets” in August, motor vehicles were banned from seven miles of streets on three Saturdays.