New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) is developing a new strategic plan to enhance bicycle, pedestrian and micromobility access to its facilities and services.
The plan is set to launch later in 2022, with the agency saying it will “redouble” its commitment to creating equitable access to the transit system.
“We want to improve customer access to our environmentally friendly MTA services, however they get to their train or bus,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber.
“As a cyclist myself, I know that biking can be the perfect complement to mass transit. This plan improves access to our services through cycling, walking and micromobility, and will help bring riders back and reduce our carbon footprint.”
Boosting connectivity
Through the plan, the MTA aims to: boost bicycle, pedestrian and micromobility access to subway stations and bus stops; improve access at Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad stations; integrate trip planning and payments with bike-sharing and other micromobility services like e-scooters; and improve pedestrian and bicycle access to and on bridges.
The agency has hired Sam Schwartz Engineering to support the development of the initiative, with the scope of work including aligning the plan to global best practices.
“As more and more people are walking and cycling to get around – particularly in the face of our growing climate crisis – improving access to the MTA network for bicyclists and pedestrians is more important than ever,” said Lisa Daglian, Executive Director of the Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA.
“Making it easier to get to and from stations without a car will help increase ridership around the system, while cutting down on congestion and emissions.
Improving connectivity by adding missing links to bridges, either by finishing walkways and bike paths or adding bike racks on additional bus routes, will allow more people to get where they’re going under their own power or take transit.”
Bike mini-pod
In February, the agency launched a pilot of a secure bike storage ‘mini-pod’ at Grand Central Terminal as part of a pilot programme in partnership with Oonee.
The pod – which has a capacity for six bikes – features a free air pump with hydraulic sliding doors for easy access, automated closing doors and insurance coverage for both bike and scooter owners.
Image: James Schwartz (Flickr)
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